Andos stared, bleary-eyed, at his younger brother.
"Sophos, it's 3 in the morning, what the fuck."
Sophos looked up from the foundry, where he had been trying to cast a new mineral mixture. He, infuriatingly, looked perfectly awake, which managed to completely derail Andos' train of thought.
"I'm sorry, what would be the problem?"
"When do you sleep?"
"Why would I do that? I've done the calculations, I'd be losing a full third of my productive time. Closer to two fifths when considering time not spent working during the day."
"Sophos, people need sleep. You- have you ever seen how Calliphone acts if you wake her up before 8?"
"Seven years ago, she told me not to approach her quarters prior to that time. I assume that this was likely in relation to an event where somebody did this contrary to her wishes?"
Andos dragged his palm down his face. As much as his brain wanted it, hongcha would not help here.
"It's because she's irritable if she doesn't have enough sleep. And you've seen my sloppier prints and models, those happen when I don't have enough sleep, things get kind of blurry and-" he flops a hand, gesturing toward some abstract concept or another "-and, and stuff. Herakon just loses all of his energy."
"Ah, would that be why his yelling was much quieter last Kaersdawn?"
"That is not the point- I mean, yes, but- fuck's sake Sophos. Sleep. I am begging you."
"But I have not experienced any loss of efficiency or alterations of temperament like you have described?"
Andos stared despairingly at his brother. Sophos just looked genuinely confused.
He cradled his forehead in one palm, and waved Sophos off with the other.
"Whatever. Fine. I do not have the energy for this discussion right now. One day you will need to sleep. Please do so when it happens. I need sleep now. Please do things that will be quiet, for the love of Somnial. The bellows woke me up."
Sophos looked at the foundry - still full of molten rock - the cast, and the automatic hammerer that he'd spent an hour calibrating to the exact frequency and force level that he'd wanted.
He sighed. That was two hours wasted.
He'd just have to figure out something else to work on.
Event 1 (year 2): In the second year of the second decade, strange beings shorter than the men around came to the Knight Order grabbed in robes of darkness. Silent and passive they stared up at the Lion and for all his skill with combat he felt uneasy in their presence. Something within them disturbed his being on a fundamental level. They without words asked for the strange gem and he instinctively handed it over to them. The dark glow to the shining gem faded for a moment before it returned and it was returned to him, something at the edge of his mind seemed to understand the darkness before him, but it was faint. The stars above glimmered seeming to withdraw and a chill crept into his bones for the first time, but from within a fire burn to life to chase away the chill and the sword at his side called to him ever more..
Event 2 (year 10): During a hunt into the depths of the forests, a faint warning echoed from the stars above a sign of something withdrawing from him, something prowled these lands that none but he could match. With his weapons ready, and caution roused, Lion moved onward knowing that he could not allow this creature to live for long. As above the stars grew cold and ever more distant than they seemed to be before.
Kaiben
"My foes will be coming soon." The booming voice of Starstrider blared as Kaiben wove the light of the star and void into matter to use in his creations. He looked up at the looming giant armored in the all consuming void, blazing with the fury of the sun and with guns of starlight, "Your foes?" His mind already racing to understand the concept, "Yes. I have been rebuilt on average once per millennia. Each time they reveal themselves to shatter me once more for their false religion declares that my return is the mark of the end times. I will give you all that I know of them." Kaiben nodded as he quickly began to process the given information and fear gripped his hearts, billions of soldiers each with technology centuries ahead of his own, knights as their greatest elites and a Titan that lead the charge commanded by a near immortal. It would not be an impossible fight, especially with Starstrider, but it would not be simple indeed.
Fulgrim
Fulgrim frowned for his fears had come true, two fortress-factories had fallen silent, their last resources expended and their people had fled into the wastes seeking refugee in other fortress-factories. The majority of them had come to his own Callax, now the only question remained what to do with them. Even with the bounty from the vault, it would only be barely feasible to support the additional population, but the value of more hands could not be denied. A question that plagued him for many nights.
Sophos
Year 6: Taking a short break from various matters, Sophos wandered the territory of Lochos with Andos noting the various defensive aspects of the mountains and how to improve them, although always tinkering with a simple clockwork device that was measuring several hundred different physical properties around them. "Can you walk slower you big lug, my heart is dying." Andos groused as he panted for breath, "Your heart is within nominal condition, your muscles are exerting nominal force, conclusion you are fine brother." Andos sighed, but shook his head before tilting his head at a mountain side, "Sophos, does that wall look off to you?" Sophos frowned as he peered at the location marked out, "Yes it does." Carefully moving to the side he tapped it with a light force and noticed that it reacted differently than expected, his frown growing deeper. "How old is Lochos?" Andos frowned, "At least a thousand years of confirmed history, but." "Records are spotty at best yes." Sophos finished the sentence as he peered at the wall brining the clockwork device up to it, various gears spinning and reacting, "Magnetic, indicating metal content. I think this might be pre Lochos ruins."
Khan
Event 1 (Year 4): In his 15th year of life, Ong Khan his father was slain by a rival tribe. Fury burned in his heart and he wished to bring his wrath upon them all. It would be all too simple and easy to raze the tribe to the ground, already he could ream of sliding his blade through their flesh, the screams of the tribe on the winds. The starlight of the night guiding him towards them whenever he sought to look, but a question whispered in the back of his mind if it was right to feed this fury.
Event 2 (Year 7): After the resolution of his father's death, he had wished for peace, but instead the Palatine Empire decided otherwise, sending great armies into the steppes to purge his people from their lands for the last time. He could not accept this fate and so gathered his warriors to battle.
Leman
The sense of impending events continued to build for Leman of the Russ, but he could find nothing to truly pin it down.
Dorn
Themis was strong, the clans were weak, it would be only a matter of a handful of years before he could show them what true strength looked like. They would fall and he would remake them in the ideal that they had sought but lied about. Strength made real, strength of the ice made lasting. Themis would not fall, the clans would learn this simple truth.
Konrad
Year 2/3: A woman wearing more gold than could be considered reasonable marched down the street that was only a handful of years ago covered in blood and offal with bodies of the dead and dying, now it was merely broken and in disrepair. Konrad stared at the woman that had come from the spires above, as an envoy to him. Coming to a stop before him the woman cleared her throat before pronouncing, "By the noble lords of Nostramo Quintus, the upstart mutant crime lord known as Konrad Cruze is hereby declared to be a hostile and subversive force to the rule of law. It is hereby declared that anyone working for or with the aforementioned mutant crime lord will be executed as is the lawful punishment of treason against the law of Nostramo." A stunned silence gripped the building as everyone within stared at the woman wondering if she was truly insane before the most observant realized that she did in fact truly believe what she had just stated. Konrad sitting upon his makeshift throne stared at the woman before a crippling pain struck him, his perspective wrenched into the distant dark future.
Four pathways revealed themselves to his eyes the first and second both drenched in darkness. In the first he saw himself attempt to bribe the herald before him, to give to her masters above platitudes and inform them that the crime lord was no more. This would spark a conflict he was ill prepared for. The second was the same, he saw himself standing above a mountain of corpses torn to ribbons in his rage, from losing all he had labored for in a single action from the herald detonating herself with a melta charge. Another vision showed him leaving Quintus, to another city to try again, but the woman would simply follow him to the ends of the world never resting in the misguided fear that letting him live would result in a crime wave of never before seen levels. The common theme among them all was that he himself would survive and perhaps indeed prosper in time, but his people wouldn't all the progress created here would be lost and that was unacceptable, forcing his vision to show another path, he saw a fleeting glimpse of another path one shrouded but one that did not result in the loss of his base, he could not truly see it, but just its existence was enough.
The vision faded as he looked upon the man with clear eyes, noting the now obvious signs of a melta charge strapped to her chest, the various life sensors that would obviously alert the army waiting for his death. Whoever had sent him knew how to conceal the signs even from his senses for a time, impressive, but not so much as the sheer conviction and poorly directly loyalty and honor of the woman.
Ferrus
Year 3: Skittering was the first sign that something was wrong, across the terrain a swarm of robots crawled similar in design to the great wyrm that he had slain only years ago, but instead of a single great foe, a carpet of them now waited and they were coming ever closer to the tribe that he had joined. Their land crawler was now at risk, but he could still leave if he wished.
Eärendil
Time passed and the hunger within remained ever present, but it slowly seemed to become something accustomed too and less horrible to experience. The joy of learning became a balm to his weary soul as the stars above drank away the hunger whenever it became too much to handle.
Angron
The High Riders were not worthy of their rulership, their domain built upon the backs of mutilated slaves. Their armies large and imposing with elites with technology beyond what could be truly understood even by one such as him.
Roboute
Across the eight worlds of Ultramar demagogues have been rising in never before seen numbers, preaching of his rule as being unjust, his ascension to the throne a sign of immediate collapse of law in favor of ruthless dictatorship. The trial of Gallen had become the center-stone of their demagogy, rousing the people to a fury over something they did not truly understand. At least his home was spared their touch, but even so something had to be done before they drove the empire of Ultramar apart.
Mortarion
Event 1 (Year 4): From the mountains he watched as a horde descended, an army ruled by a witch king that was a true peer to the one that had raised him. A foe he had faced several times over the years and knew true loathe, it was one of the strongest of their number and also one of the most forward thinking of their kind. Of them all that he knew, perhaps this one could be considered the most innovative of all the Witch Kings and it made sense for them to see the danger of his Dusk Raiders before they were ready, but he growled wishing for more time to truly build them to readiness, but the fight will come whether he is ready or not and he will be ready.
Magnus
The Emperor reached out over the link towards one of his distant sons and beyond their normal interactions, gave an offer to the son closest to him in nature. "ASK FOR A SINGLE SPELL OR SKILLTHAT IS REASONABLE AND I SHALL PROVIDE IT TO YOU." Magnus accepted the offer and requested time to consider as his father smiled and nodded.
Horus
"MY SON, I AM SORRY TO BRING YOU BACK INTO CONFLICT SO SOON, BUT DUTY CALLS." The Emperor spoke, the regret true within his words as Horus nodded to him waiting for the orders. "MERCURY HAS FALLEN INTO CIVIL STRIFE, THE SIDE THAT SEEKS TO SIDE WITH US HAVE REQUESTED AID FOR THE OTHERS HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF THE SOLAR SHADE SYSTEMS AND ARE PREPARING TO BRING THE FURY OF SOL TO BEAR UPON OUR FORCES." Horus shook his head sadly as he peered at the holographic display of Mercury noting the various cities and infrastructure, along with the information on the composition of the rulership. Lord Makus Merca was the leader of the pro imperial side, that simply wished to join forces with the rising power and to also gain access to the technologies of Sedna, Lady Stilbon Merca was the leader of the side against joining the Imperium her position was odd, almost seeming as a front for something else. But he could not pinpoint what it was as of now, but something in the edge of his mind irritated him.
"TO ENSURE THAT THIS COMES TO A SWIFT AND FINAL CONCLUSION, I HAVE SECONDED TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED CUSTODIANS TO YOUR COMMAND FOR THE DURATION OF THIS CAMPAIGN. WHILE YOU HANDLE THIS I WILL BE HANDLING MARS, EXPECT A SURPRISE IN 2 YEARS IF EVERYTHING GOES AS PLAN."
The Emperor nodded one last time radiating approval and support before teleporting away, but Horus could see the pain in his Father's face and the strain in his body. The wounds taken on Sedna were not fully healed as of now, but were on the mend, he did not think he would forget the sight of his father missing almost half his chest, his organs exposed to the open air any time soon.
Lorgar
Event 1 (year 5): Outcasts from across the land drew inward as they heard stories of the Wayward Sons and the defiance that had come to burn in the outskirts of the Covenant. Drawn by various reasons, all began to head towards the legendary child of the Declined who even now preached of Defiance and his words echoed across the land. Men and women from all walks of life, holy and pure along with the sinful and impure walked towards the beacon of defiance with the hope for a new life, a new creed and Lorgar stood upon the hill knowing their arrival was assured. But even for him it would be no small matter to handle the scale of the numbers that would soon fall upon him and be his to care for.
Event 2 (year 8): Gazing towards the heavens, the golden glow yet blocked by something but becoming lighter as if something was reaching forth to him. Lorgar reached out with his mind towards the glow and the stars above shifted, the patterns of the Constellations that had been with him from the first day shifted as a new member arose among their celestial ranks. The Emperor, a grand vestige radiating Purity, Power, Dominion, Glory and Safety, something within called to him as he saw within a faint golden glow.
Vulkan
Year 4: Walking the sides of Mount Deathfire, Vulkan stumbled and found himself staring into the maw of a truly giant firedrake. Great in scale even among the species, taller than him at the shoulder, with scales the size of his hand covering its immense bulk. He knew that it would weigh several tons of metal worth, and perhaps most impressive of all was that it was female. His smoldering eyes blazed with understanding as he realized the boon that had fallen into his lap. With this majestic example of the species as the first true broodmother of the tamed salamanders he would be able to truly ensure that the dusk wraiths would never again harm his people. Of course there was the small issue of beating it into submission and lugging it back home, but that was a matter to handle latter
Corvus
The masters below had not yet responded to his presence, the formation of the rebels was going well and all was nearly in place. All that remained was to complete the preparations and conduct the final fall of the world.
Alpharius Omegon
Year 4: Whispers in the station tell of a legend deep within awakening, something dark and corruptive stirring in its slumber for the first time in centuries. Out of the corner of his eye he can see things flash in and out of existence, there is something within the depths of the station that none truly understand, but only he could brave those depths, yet without his brother/peer it would be risky, but is there a true choice in this?
Time passed and the hunger within remained ever present, but it slowly seemed to become something accustomed too and less horrible to experience. The joy of learning became a balm to his weary soul as the stars above drank away the hunger whenever it became too much to handle.
Spend Focal Action getting Uplift Research (Narrow) and Machine Spirit Studies as Core Skills. (Theoretical Polymath doubles Research skill training.)
Spend 4 Yearly Actions getting Lesser Skills of Quantum Mechanics, Computer Science (Cogitator Science is the high-TL equivalent; this one caps at ~High Interstellar), High Energy Physics, and Homeworld Research (the state of my Homeworld's research and researchers; Research caps at my planet's Infrastructure level).
Spend 3 Yearly Actions promoting Materials Science to Tertiary and getting Mathematics halfway there (will complete next turn). That takes me to 9 Lesser Uplift Research Skills, 1 Tertiary, 1 Secondary, and 2 Core.
Spend 3 Yearly Actions on Uplift Research. This should complete Post-Modern. (Uplift Research 24*1.5 + Machine Spirit Studies 24 + Physics 12*0.5 + One Tertiary 4 + Nine Lesser 18 = 88. Count 3 * YearlyActionMod 0.1 * Theoretical Polymath 1.5 = 0.45. 88 * 0.45 = 39.6. Cost is 10 per stage with 3 stages, so 30. Post-Modern done; 9.6*0.9=8.64 overflow retained.)
Growing up on his world of New Menor, Eärendil knew between 500 million and 1 trillion people lived. Once a full count - accurate to the single digits, updated in realtime - would have been trivial to access, but now: most of the inter-hive communications networks were down, infrastructure incomprehensible and rapidly degrading, and all of the advanced technology was beyond current understanding.
The very process of obtaining these figures merited some note. Eärendil's home hive, Hive Oroshral, had space and facilities - ideally - for roughly 60 billion people. If stuffed to the gills and in perfect repair, it could house twice that or more. Before the Age of Strife broke the world (and, by all guesses, the galaxy - guesses that only gained poignancy from Eärendil's careful drawings of the golden runed high-tech pod that dropped him on this planet) housed around one and one half trillion souls across twenty massive Hives; now the number was certainly lower, but how much lower?
Eärendil's hive had one thousand districts. His chosen home district was District B4, which could be counted and proven to have around 35 million people (within a 25% margin of error). Now, District D8 was also in contact, and was happy to report that their population was around 40 million people. District T18 was in much the same boat, with 37 million. So you'd think each district had around 37.5 million people, each should have had around 60 million, and the world would be at roughly 930 billion people (give or take 50%). And you'd be wrong.
Because the Districts that weren't in steady contact, or were in steady contact but couldn't form an estimate of their population, almost certainly had fewer survivors.
Eärendil made a middle-school project, actually, of working with his adopted big brother Jonathan to build a whole new variety of drone. Everything designed with recognizable technology - just, better. A bit beyond the current bleeding-edge of designs. Batteries built with a clever technique, that allowed for (relatively) low-tech bulk manufacturing of very simple nanostructures, able to hold nearly five times their old charge. Programming built using the absolute best of (understood) pattern-recognition and guidance software - much of it copied from vastly higher-tech examples, trimmed down to fit in the low-tech computers that anyone could build. Circuitry optimized a dozen times and more, by someone who actually mostly understood Quantum Mechanics. And the whole result - a 'small'* production run of a hundred drones - named individually and each inaugurated and 'blessed.'
* (A small run. "My family is rich. I'm rich. Not everyone is. … I'd best remember that," Eärendil thought.)
Jonathan asked him why he put so much ceremony into them. Eärendil shrugged, stated, "The Immaterium does strange things. The sailor's superstitions of sailing ships being people too - those were only mostly wrong." When his brother quirked up an eyebrow, he said, "I'll prove it." And he did: he systematically tested that ten un-inaugurated drones performed significantly worse than ten inaugurated drones, despite being theoretically equal in physical makeup and construction.
It was an easy improvement to make, to him. For he could feel the changes in the drones, in whatever machine. He studied and optimized and realized only far later that his work was truly groundbreaking - a nearly-unprecedented combination of the fact and idea of tool and technology, into a seamless whole. Machine-Spirit Studies.
Proper use of the drones and some good analysis algorithms, over the next few years, proved that B4 actually had 383 million residents (to within a margin of less than half a million). Only half of the original batch of drones survived to the end of the project, but with the considerable use that their systematic cataloging of all the structural deficits and slow degradation had? District Leader Lted (pronounced "lit-ed" - though he was a kind enough man to not easily take offense) happily sprang for a production run of ten thousand, and paid Eärendil and Jonathan a premium for full design specifications. By anyone's guess, foreknowledge of what was likely to break down and when saved a hundred thousand lives across the ensuing decade.
And when most of the cataloging was done, and only the tithe of the drones were needed for keeping analyses up-to-date? By Eärendil's own suggestion, the drones were loaned out to other Districts.
By the turn's end, Hive Oroshral's population could be estimated at "between 5 billion and 25 billion" with reasonable certainty. And, thus, the planet's population figure assuming all hives were equally populated would be between 100 billion and 500 billion. However, the last transmissions accessed during the Age of Strife before certain systems went down, suggested that at least one Hive had been destroyed totally by orbital bombardment, and a few others were in rough shape. So the planet's population could be safely said to be between 10 billion and 400 billion.
(Note that the Drones are effectively non-Eärendil items by narrative weight, with Post Modern tech and slightly boosted Machine Spirits due to the proper rites being known.)
Across the many many people - now somewhat countable - of Hive Oroshral, attempts at understanding the technology of their Hive (the technology that surrounded them, that kept them all alive and somewhat healthy) were frequent and inevitable. Giving up in the face of an impossible problem was equally frequent and inevitable. Even the most stubborn and brilliant individuals were content to take one tiny problem and hope, in their lifetime, to make any progress at all.
So, naturally, Eärendil decided to try his hand at it. And he found it… well. Not easy. Indeed, somewhat staggering. If he did little else but study and reverse-engineer technology… (He had systematically tested his body's limits, as he had always done since childhood*. He needed no sleep, but then the hunger got worse. Eight hours was vastly inefficient; there were things to do! Ultimately, two hours of sleep per night, with five instead on a monthly day of splurging, was the rhythm he settled upon.) In any case, if he did little else but study and reverse-engineer technology… He would understand the Hives and their technology somewhere between age 25 and never. Best guesses between thirty and one hundred. And his best guesses on the Hive said it would never last a century. BUT they could, perhaps, use some of the poorly-understood breaking-down technology to build simpler better-understood technology, even as they had been doing for decades at this point, so the better he could push the limits of technology the better.
* (Eärendil's tendency to be independent and push himself drove his adopted mother - and occasionally even father - to distraction sometimes. He was almost completely certain that - if he were willing to take a year off his research to really analyze social interactions, everything would make more sense. He asked his mom if she would be too upset if he didn't really study people until his twenties, and. Well, he wasn't sure she entirely got the context of the question, but she said she was fine with it. So he put down on his calendar, "twenties: study people" and got on with his work.)
Eärendil made a side-project out of it, like many other things, while he was busy with all his initial studies. How far could he push technology with a bit of absent effort? Further than anyone else, at least, which reassured him (and awed his second cousin Xander the Researcher).
From Eärendil's oddly-organized online notepad (which made perfect sense to Eärendil but little to others), the people of Hive Oroshral's District B4 started to learn and understand. It wasn't much. Just a drop in the bucket, really. But it was a start.
…And, yes, Eärendil made a point of giving his online notepad a slightly customized search function, boosted with the proper rites. It was widely considered "mostly comprehensible, if insanely advanced," after the updates.
Eärendil spent distressingly little time with his adopted family. It was far from unbearable to him, but he apologized occasionally for his busyness.
After years of this, but before even they truly understood that their adopted son was no genius but something greater, his parents sat down with him and told him: "Go, our son. With our blessing, fix the world. But come back to us, OK?"
And he nodded and gave them a hug, and with no eye dry, he returned to analyzing: how to fix the world.
Only once did he truly relent. His adopted great-great-grandpa, Roland Martin, one of the oldest people around and the one who suggested his name Eärendil, died of old age. After that funeral, he took a full week of mourning, laboring with his hands at the simplest tasks he could find instead of taxing his mind.
Traits:
* Aeldari Genetics (Beta psyker, can build psitech, innate Secondary Skill for Dueling (does not take a slot, cannot be upgraded), amplified emotions, natural 2 Soul Wounds, under constant attack by Slaanesh)
* Agile
* Void-touched (+2 Soul Wounds, free skills Void Introspection and Star Weaving).
* Adamantine Will (+2 Wounds).
* Theoretical Polymath: provides 1.5 action value to research actions, halves time to bring research skills to Core (anything below Ascendant). (From a natural 100 on an Adept Researcher roll!)
** Praise God from whom all blessings flow, controller of dice, time, and fate!!!
Corruption Tokens: 1 Repulsed; 1 each at 0.25, .5, .75.
Traits:
* Aeldari Genetics (Beta psyker, can build psitech, innate Secondary Skill for Dueling (does not take a slot, cannot be upgraded), amplified emotions, natural 2 Soul Wounds, under constant attack by Slaanesh)
* Agile
* Void-touched (+2 Soul Wounds, free skills Void Introspection and Star Weaving).
* Adamantine Will (+2 Wounds).
* Theoretical Polymath: provides 1.5 action value to research actions, halves time to bring research skills to Core (anything below Ascendant).
Core Skills:
* Void Introspection (Innate Skill; slotless; weak narratively but allows for unmaking personal Corruption Tokens; Corruption Resistance)
* Star Weaving (Innate Skill; slotless; Crafting)
* Self-Discipline (Corruption-Resistance)
* Uplift Research (Narrow)
* Machine Spirit Studies
Secondary Skills:
* Dueling (Innate Skill; slotless; cannot be upgraded)
* Physics
* Celestial Navigation
Tertiary Skill:
* Psychic Empathy
* Uplift Research: Materials Science
Lesser Skills:
* Warp: Empyrean-Safety, Warp Studies
* Uplift Research: Mathematics (1 of 2 years upgraded), Applied Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, Applied Physics, Reverse-Engineering, Quantum Mechanics, Computer Science (Cogitator Science is the high-TL equivalent; this one caps at ~High Interstellar), High Energy Physics, Homeworld Research (the state of my Homeworld's research and researchers; Research caps at my planet's Infrastructure level)
* Other Research: Decision Theory
Corruption Tokens: 5 Repulsed; 1 each at 0.25, .5, .75.
Traits:
* Aeldari Genetics (Beta psyker, can build psitech, innate Secondary Skill for Dueling (does not take a slot, cannot be upgraded), amplified emotions, natural 2 Soul Wounds, under constant attack by Slaanesh)
* Agile
* Adamantine Will+ (+5 Soul Wounds; no other effects).
* Energy Weaver (can learn to weave various forms of power/energy into physical form)
* Theoretical Polymath: provides 1.5 action value to research actions, halves time to bring research skills to Core (anything below Ascendant).
Core Skills:
* Self-Discipline (Corruption-Resistance)
* Uplift Research (Narrow)
* Machine Spirit Studies
Secondary Skills:
* Dueling (Innate Skill; slotless; cannot be upgraded)
* Physics
* Celestial Navigation
Tertiary Skill:
* Psychic Empathy
* Uplift Research: Materials Science
Lesser Skills:
* Warp: Empyrean-Safety, Warp Studies
* Uplift Research: Mathematics (1 of 2 years upgraded), Applied Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, Applied Physics, Reverse-Engineering, Quantum Mechanics, Computer Science (Cogitator Science is the high-TL equivalent; this one caps at ~High Interstellar), High Energy Physics, Homeworld Research (the state of my Homeworld's research and researchers; Research caps at my planet's Infrastructure level)
* Other Research: Decision Theory
Corruption Tokens: 5 Repulsed; 1 each at 0.25, .5, .75.
Planet - does infrastructure degrade - 1d100 DC90 to stay High Imperial
Traits: Hard Working? An upgrade to Theoretical Polymath? Adept Researcher?
Nevermind. To quote the GM, "Theoretical Polymath ate a massive amount of your trait exp, your going to have limited trait rolls for a couple of turns"
Maybe a roll to see if the surrounding Researchers start banding together around me, or the government decides to give me a City Research Department, or anything.
No rolls, but narrative effects of some stripe.
Possibly a roll to see if anyone decides to declare war on me for threatening their power / the status-quo.
Nope! To quote the GM, "the world is in too much of a panic about the death spiral for that"
2 Major actions are spent upgrading Combined Arms Tactics to Secondary.
4 Yearly actions are spent upgrading Logistics to Tertiary. It would be an exaggeration to say that an entire wing of the palace had been dedicated to these wargames, but it would be far less of one that it really should be.
They were not merely practicing combat strategy, now. No, they were building cities, creating supply lines, identifying key territories to claim and fortify. Armies needed factories for equipment, farms for supplies. Amateurs study strategy; professionals study logistics.
And it was more than that; morale was accounted for, as was the development of skills. Command presence and fog of war were, by now, key components of the battlefield, and with them the necessity for robust scout corps and messenger divisions.
The air force had proven a potent weapon in Sophos' arsenal for many ends, but Calliphone had developed a penchant for subterranean construction and tunneling in response, in addition to a robust set of anti-air weapons. She still hadn't realized that his civ had developed tunnel-detecting tools; he was saving them for a key battle.
And so it went, round and round.
Compared to fighting each other, other cities would be easy. 1 Yearly action is spent acquiring Marksmanship at Lesser. Not accounting for scale, it was a reasonably normal anti-tank rifle. The problem, therefore, was quite naturally the scale.
A normal anti-tank rifle would have been able to pierce the armor of a tank with a bullet, likely doing significant harm to the soldiers manning the vehicle and probably reducing the tank's functionality to some degree.
The problem was that this was not a normal anti-tank rifle, entirely because you had to account for scale. Specifically, the scale of a primarch.
For its size, it wasn't especially powerful. Or, rather, it was as powerful as any primarch-sized anti-material rifle would be with technology that would fit in reasonably well around the year 2k. It is simply that when you make the rifle that enormous, and give it ammunition of a caliber to match, you end up with a weapon that would be more suited to naval combat than anything that should be in a person's hands.
This is a weapon that could probably blow straight through half of a Tyrant's palace, and do noteworthy damage to a city's walls.
If you wanted to see the gun that would actually match the performance of an anti-tank rifle, you'd want to look at Sophos' handgun instead. It could also load shotgun shells. Year 6
Taking a short break from various matters, Sophos wandered the territory of Lochos with Andos noting the various defensive aspects of the mountains and how to improve them, although always tinkering with a simple clockwork device that was measuring several hundred different physical properties around them. "Can you walk slower you big lug, my heart is dying." Andos groused as he panted for breath, "Your heart is within nominal condition, your muscles are exerting nominal force, conclusion you are fine brother." Andos sighed, but shook his head before tilting his head at a mountain side, "Sophos, does that wall look off to you?" Sophos frowned as he peered at the location marked out, "Yes it does." Carefully moving to the side he tapped it with a light force and noticed that it reacted differently than expected, his frown growing deeper. "How old is Lochos?" Andos frowned, "At least a thousand years of confirmed history, but." "Records are spotty at best yes." Sophos finished the sentence as he peered at the wall brining the clockwork device up to it, various gears spinning and reacting, "Magnetic, indicating metal content. I think this might be pre Lochos ruins."
Sophos does a variety of additional measurements. Thickness, grain direction, angles, minute surface irregularities.
This was most certainly a wall. An artificial, man-made wall, which was exciting for its own reasons, but, ultimately, a wall.
Specifically, a wall that he would not be able to get through. At least not without a lot of work, and probably breaking something that he'd rather not break.
However, it was also artificial, and used by humans. Which meant that somewhere, there would have to be an entrance.
He did a few more measurements.
"I believe there may be an entrance toward the east. This may take several miles. If at any point you need to climb on my shoulder, warn me first, as it would be a crying shame for you to meet your end by way of a toppled brother." He grins. "I am expecting good things out of this."
Priests would claim that gods reside upon Telephus' peak
But truth be told, it's underneath that holds the truth we seek
The mountainhome of ancestors who wrote future in stone
A history of distant stars we cannot reach alone…
(Assuming this takes a single year, the plan is to afterwards train Logistics to Secondary and Treaty Negotiation to Tertiary.)
Across the eight worlds of Ultramar demagogues have been rising in never before seen numbers, preaching of his rule as being unjust, his ascension to the throne a sign of immediate collapse of law in favor of ruthless dictatorship. The trial of Gallen had become the center-stone of their demagogy, rousing the people to a fury over something they did not truly understand. At least his home was spared their touch, but even so something had to be done before they drove the empire of Ultramar apart.
The Demagogues where a bug compared to Roboute. An annoying pest that needed to be dealt with. But it needed to be handled with some finesse too little and they'll spiral out of control. Too harsh and he gives them ammo to use. So Roboute decided to be a bit of troll.
The First thing he did was begin allowing free elections for mayor, Governor, and Senator. Roboute even went further by putting his own seat as Imperator up for election by the masses. Going as far to campaign for the position on a platform of Civil Rights, economic reform, greater unification ect.
The second was to invite the leaders of the Demagogues to speak publicly at debates hosted by third parties. Where Roboute would pick apart their arguments with logic and reason while also using passion and vigor to enhance his platform. Playing to the crowd about his reforms both civil and economic.
1 Major Action for this
The Results of the elections was close in some regards but Roboute won with a decent margin. After winning he officially created the the Judicial Branch designed to keep the Senate and himself honest as well as to form a unified code of law to be used across all of Ultramar. Appointing one of his most argent rivals as Chief Justice a woman named Idothea Vestalis. One of the other candidates a Cyborg named Ponticus Albus is offered a job as one of Roboute's Staffers. While flawed the man seems to be decent even if he seems to be a bad luck magnet.
Guilliman focuses back onto unification of Ultramar focusing on both Diplomatic overtures, trade to promote budding economic relations, immigration to better diversify the various nations and spread ideas and cultures around. As well as the offering of military support in mutual defensive alliances aimed at bringing everyone further together and tying everything together. All the while still searching for what calls to him in the void.
(3 Major Actions)
4 Yearlies into bringing Organization up a skill level
4 Yearlies into Upgrading Cultural Unification
4 Yearlies into Upgrading Bureaucracy
4 Yearlies into Upgrading Public Speaking
4 Yearlies into Upgrading Auditing
Magnus sensed it immediately, such pain hidden beneath the surface of his father's mind. Not emotional pain, no, this was physical, as if some great clawed beast had ripped him open.
"Are you alright?!"
"I've made my decision, father. I desire to refine myself, and help others do the same. To find our greatest and truest selves."
A spell that massively expands on the capabilities and effectiveness of meditation. It allows for constant a4nd massively amplified meditation and compounds for it when the target actually meditates.
It brings all of the user's mind and soul to bare so that they may refine them both in the natural path of their soul. It cleanses and protects against all corrupt paths and mistakes
Strange winds blow in The Sea where the bodies of the wasps drift. Me and my team, freshly graduated to adepts, have decided to study this phenomenon as our thesis' subject matter. Hadis has discovered that traces of Astral energy remains within the bodies while I distracted worrying about Father. This energy is effecting the warp energy around it, staining it with a myriad of cosmic concepts. Vahid accidentally turned a fire pit into a crater by summoning plasma instead of fire when she accidentally drew on this power when we were near the bodies. -Book of Magnus, Entry two. Footnote 1. Yearlies 4-6: learn Astral Wind Theory (Lesser, Tertiary), Learn Self Introspection (Lesser, yearly 4) We've come up with a name for this phenomenon, Winds. Warp energy refined to embody a specific concept or concepts. However, During Hadis' experiments, he discovered that winds produced without astral energy have an inverse relationship with unity compared to what we've observed. In my own studies, Astral winds to be prone to harmonization, each kind a note in its song, as I've discovered through analyzing my own connection to it by altering my perception. Warp energy on the other hand is too discordant to unify too many concepts, instead splitting into component ideas or curdling into warp energy once more. - Book of Magnus, Entry 2, Footnote 2 Yearlies 7-9, Major 1, Grand: Learn Astral Studies (Lesser, Tertiary, Secondary, Core), Learn Self Awareness (lesser, yearly 7)
While Hadis and Atena studied Winds as a general concept, I took it upon myself to study astral energy in particular in great depth and Vahis joined me in this endeavor. Psykers don't generally seem to be able to naturally interact with astral energy, I'm unique in that regard. Figured that out after analyzing my psyche and finding some discrepancies behind just being a primarch. However exposure to the winds has allowed Vahid to "sense" where astral energy is by looking for its effect on warp energy rather than the energy itself. Like finding a fire with the smoke it produces. Astral energy in general comes mixed in its ambient form, I have discovered that in the vacuum of space the void subtype is at a slightly higher concentration. Likewise for other types, the moon's astral energy is, as you'd guess, mostly composed of lunar energy for instance. Though studying the winds and crossing out inconsistencies with the true astral energy we've started narrowing down what they truly "mean." It's not quite as abstract and loosely flowing as warp energy, however it's not entirely literal like any sort of energy borne from the materium, rather it seems to be somewhere in-between the two. -Book of Magnus, Entry 2, Footnote 2 Section 34. Major 2, Grand: learn (heh) Learning (Secondary, Core)
While in my off time, I'd occasionally lecture at the auditoriums and observe the research, studies, and lectures of others in turn. I learned more about how humanity discovers and learns, more tiny tricks of memorization and true understanding, and how they turned into true comprehension. Rhymes and patterns, connections between subject matter and memories, analysis to break down the seemingly abstract to something as tangible to the mind as ground beneath us. Turning rote memorization into intuition as in tune with one's mind as to be breathing, talking, or walking. I think I'll write a small paper on the subject. -Book of Magnus, Entry 2, Footnote 3. Yearly 10: Learn Warp Symbolism (lesser) and Psyker Soul Studies (lesser)
As a part of our studies into the winds, we studied how the warp will resonate with certain concepts and ideas. We also studied the soul and how it relates to the various energies. These will help us analyze my ability to connect to the astral as well as how my connection to the warp relates to that, or if they're the same connection, just with two things pouring into the same entryway. - Book of Magnus, Entry 2, Footnote 4. Casting the spell on my peers
Picking part the intricate and esoteric energies of the warp and astral energy alike has worn on the minds of my friends, and me, even, with my studies into astral energy. They haven't made as much progress on me, and our discussions aren't as stimulating as they once were...
I don't want to leave them behind. So I've decided to cast Bodhi's Shade on them and myself to help them recover from their mental strain and refine their minds. It should, and I hope, have a greater effect on them than me, much like starting gains in physical fitness. Atena has mentioned others being interested in having it cast on them, and I see no reason to deny them, the more the merrier. - Book of Magnus, Entry 2, Footnote 5.
1) Group size - National - mod 5
2) Difficulty of the group - Easy (They are outcasts who want purpose and a new, better life) - 5
3) Type of group - Government - 25
4) Group Awareness - Open - 1
Total - 250
Skills used
Secondary - Philosophy Tertiary - Specialized skill Culture Shaping, Lesser - 1. Teaching, 2. Civilian Administration, 3. Diplomacy, 4. Logistics (Supplies), 5. Economics, 6. Persuasion, 7. Learning Special ability:
Draw upon the relevant constellation to help things along. Applicable Trait:
Charisma Pseudo Trait:
Defiant
_____________________________________________________________
With the Wayward sons formed, the tribesmen now knew what true protection was. However, this was not enough. Though Lorgar did not doubt the faith of the men and women who had given themselves to him, he still had to arm them with the tactics and strategies so that no foe may best them in battle. let alone ensure that they were fed and watered.
So in his time, he spent it learning the arcane art of Logistics, particularly how to ensure that he would gain sufficient supplies to keep them fed and watered, armed and armored.
The people were varies and old Grudges flared up, forcing him to intervene. Lorgar learned much from mediating their squabbles. It was a tough and thankless job but at the end if it, they came out of it with a renewed sense of purpose.
Faced with such challenges, he quickly realized that he had a army without a nation. Soldiers without anything to defend. A gathering of people who share very little in common. A group of enemies forced together out of necessity.
Realizing this, he knew his next course of action, to build a Nation.
Event 1 (year 5): Outcasts from across the land drew inward as they heard stories of the Wayward Sons and the defiance that had come to burn in the outskirts of the Covenant. Drawn by various reasons, all began to head towards the legendary child of the Declined who even now preached of Defiance and his words echoed across the land. Men and women from all walks of life, holy and pure along with the sinful and impure walked towards the beacon of defiance with the hope for a new life, a new creed and Lorgar stood upon the hill knowing their arrival was assured. But even for him it would be no small matter to handle the scale of the numbers that would soon fall upon him and be his to care for.
_____________________________________________________________ EVENT - YEAR 5
Channel the Constellations where appropriate
_____________________________________________________________
At the tail end of the implementation of his nation, Lorgar was faced with a sudden deluge of refugees. People from all walks of life were flocking to his banner, his word of defiance having reached them.
The whole thing was flattering as it was problematic. He had not set out with having to heard so many people in mind. The sheer attempt to have so many people clothed, fed and sheltered taxed even him.
So he resorted to the only thing he could, delegation. He walked among the refugees, talking and preaching. He got to know them and started picking out talents and people with skills. For people from all walks of life came to Lorgar and with them, they brought much skill and knowledge that he added to his newly build Government.
He spoke with the old tribesman and scouts, gaining the locations of oasis and sent Caravans to those far off places. When they returned, they were ladened with Water and food.
He met and treated with the various factions, arranging profitable deals and facilitated the movement of people, who traded valuable goods and services within the various groups.
He arranged for the purchase of goods in needed in one region and the sale of goods that were abundant, thus setting up trade routs and communication posts.
With this where there was an abundance of cloth in one region, it was traded to another and the cloth was turned into tents to house many.
He spoke with the wisemen and shared the knowledge of preserving food, thus building up reserves of non-perishable food to be traded to regions low on food.
Thus did Lorgar set up a basic economy. With this, he and his government were able to organize the crowds into something manageable. As he worked, the caravans grew in size and the deserts filled with tents.
His functionaries walked through the tents, taking tallies and census of the people. He organized celebrations where they rejoiced at the start of a new life. He went around, sharing food and water. Breaking bread and calming people. He made no empty promises but only said that he would try his best to help them.
He took the men and women, giving them honest work and their lawful wages. He had them knit tents and clothes, watch children and the elderly. He had them perform many actions that planted the seeds for Nation that would be truly great.
He freed those who were enslaved, talking and healing their mental wounds. He spoke about the glory of man and the cruelty of the Covenant. He preached and persuaded. He debated philosophy and the meaning of life. He spoke to them with the strength of the Stars in his voice. He organized and helped feed, water and house countless people.
Through it all, he never horded any resources. Being humble, he ate the same food they did, slept in the same tents that they did, labored as they did.
His humility self evident, he was one of them and they were one of his. Through it all, he kept faith, for mankind may want gods but they certainly do not need Gods. Hard work and happiness was all Mankind needed. He knew the truth and knew that he would be vindicated by reason and logic for they were the greatest tools to uncover the truth.
Year 2/3: A woman wearing more gold than could be considered reasonable marched down the street that was only a handful of years ago covered in blood and offal with bodies of the dead and dying, now it was merely broken and in disrepair. Konrad stared at the woman that had come from the spires above, as an envoy to him. Coming to a stop before him the woman cleared her throat before pronouncing, "By the noble lords of Nostramo Quintus, the upstart mutant crime lord known as Konrad Cruze is hereby declared to be a hostile and subversive force to the rule of law. It is hereby declared that anyone working for or with the aforementioned mutant crime lord will be executed as is the lawful punishment of treason against the law of Nostramo." A stunned silence gripped the building as everyone within stared at the woman wondering if she was truly insane before the most observant realized that she did in fact truly believe what she had just stated. Konrad sitting upon his makeshift throne stared at the woman before a crippling pain struck him, his perspective wrenched into the distant dark future.
Four pathways revealed themselves to his eyes the first and second both drenched in darkness. In the first he saw himself attempt to bribe the herald before him, to give to her masters above platitudes and inform them that the crime lord was no more. This would spark a conflict he was ill prepared for. The second was the same, he saw himself standing above a mountain of corpses torn to ribbons in his rage, from losing all he had labored for in a single action from the herald detonating herself with a melta charge. Another vision showed him leaving Quintus, to another city to try again, but the woman would simply follow him to the ends of the world never resting in the misguided fear that letting him live would result in a crime wave of never before seen levels. The common theme among them all was that he himself would survive and perhaps indeed prosper in time, but his people wouldn't all the progress created here would be lost and that was unacceptable, forcing his vision to show another path, he saw a fleeting glimpse of another path one shrouded but one that did not result in the loss of his base, he could not truly see it, but just its existence was enough.
The vision faded as he looked upon the man with clear eyes, noting the now obvious signs of a melta charge strapped to her chest, the various life sensors that would obviously alert the army waiting for his death. Whoever had sent him knew how to conceal the signs even from his senses for a time, impressive, but not so much as the sheer conviction and poorly directly loyalty and honor of the woman.
Throughout the years as he was wracked with Dark Visions Konrad learned and extrapolated much information from his visions, he knew bits and pieces of information about his father the Emperor, his brothers the other Primarchs and ofcourse he even knew of the so called "dark gods" which he had privately labeled as "The Bad Touch 4"
Particularly his knowledge of "The Blue Thing" the one that called itself Tzeentch led him to strongly suspect that his visions had been tampered with, however in this particular instance The Blue Thing acted in error, the false visions it had shown him possesed information contradicting reality.
Afterall if the delusional woman's words and actions are any indication of what the "Noble Lords" of Nostramo believed him to be, a mere "upstart mutant crime lord" then the precautions the visions had shown him would be ludicrously unnecessary for slaying a mere "upstart mutant", no the only possible reason for why the Spire Lords would be willing to go through such lengths, was if they had a measure of knowledge of what Konrad truly was, and was capable off.
Yet in Konrad's mind this conclusion was rejected immediately, while it was true that the arrogant woman before him would not have gone so far as to strap a Melta charge to her chest if she thought of Konrad as nothing more then a "upstart mutant". Afterall so far on his time on Nostramo he had not yet showcased a level of power that came anywhere near close to warranting such a response.
The thing that truly convinced Konrad however was that if she had somehow known some measure of what he was, what he was capable of, then she would have known damn well that she was walking to her doom, and she would have never, made the mistake of mispronouncing his last name as "Cruze" one simply doesn't get the names of those they take seriously wrong like that.
all of this let Konrad to a singular startling conclusion, in all due likelyhood his dark visions were manipulating his very senses. Ofcourse! that's why he hadn't noticed the melta charge and the life sensors despite his superhuman senses until after the vision! They are merely illusions conjured by his dark visions, certainly a far more plausible explanation then Spire Lords going through the effort of concealing that Melta Charge well enough that to be hidden from even the senses of a Primarch, all for someone who is just some "upstart mutant" as far as they know.
Within a split second all this went through Konrad's mind, and he knew that whether his theory would prove true or not would matter little for what came next. He would his telekinetic might to lock the envoy in place, preventing her from moving a muscle and then with all the speed his geneforged muscles could offer him he would move to remove the Melta Charge that may or may not be actually there, what he did next would depend on whether or not there really was a Melta charge.
Should his theory (in this particular instance at least) be wrong, he would immediately mobilise his admittedly ramshackle army, not to battle but to lead his civilians away from where the fighting would take place and to engage in delaying action. Urban warfare in a Underhive is far from a simple task, even if Konrad wasn't there to protect his kingdom it would likely take the Nostraman army at minimum several weeks to fully vanquish his forces, leaving him plenty of time to ambush and slaughter the lot of them.
Konrad after ordering his army would personally take the fight to the invaders sneaking up on them and running rampant through their lines, he knew that truthfully there would be little need to slaughter them all, he merely needed to kill their officers suitably brutal fashion, and showcase to them their utter helplessness before his might.
After the invaders were put to flight Konrad would begin his own truthfully long overdue conquest of Nostramo, primarily relying not on his army, but mostly on his gene-forged and telekinetic might to get the Spire Lords to surrender to his rule. Those that defied him in spite of him showcasing the true extent of his power would be culled, while those that surrendered would be granted positions in his new planetary government as he consolidated control over Nostramo.
Should his theory prove true however and the Melta Charge proven to be a mirage, then he would still mobilise his army to get them to standby on high alert, just in case. Meanwhile he would interrogate the envoy in order to learn what she knows
After which he would begin his conquest of Nostramo by way of bullying the Spire Lords into accepting his rule just as he plans to do should his theory about his dark visions prove to be false. Either way, for as long as they were clouded by The Blue Thing, he would defy the future his visions had in store for him forevermore.
Focal action: Conquering and consolidating his rule over Nostramo. (1.25 x group assist multiplier from Konrad's kingdom)
"My foes will be coming soon." The booming voice of Starstrider blared as Kaiben wove the light of the star and void into matter to use in his creations. He looked up at the looming giant armored in the all consuming void, blazing with the fury of the sun and with guns of starlight, "Your foes?" His mind already racing to understand the concept, "Yes. I have been rebuilt on average once per millennia. Each time they reveal themselves to shatter me once more for their false religion declares that my return is the mark of the end times. I will give you all that I know of them." Kaiben nodded as he quickly began to process the given information and fear gripped his hearts, billions of soldiers each with technology centuries ahead of his own, knights as their greatest elites and a Titan that lead the charge commanded by a near immortal. It would not be an impossible fight, especially with Starstrider, but it would not be simple indeed.
Well, shit. Kaiben immediately gathers the kingdoms and informs them of the coming Foe. The narrative of the End Times is a strong one, but we need a Hero to wield it properly. So we will hold a tournament across all the kingdoms to try and bring one to emerge. (Yearly action 1)
The other project Kaiben begins is the construction of the Shelter. By excavating a mountain near my workshop and fortifying it using Stellar Wonders we will make a place for the people to hide from the coming storm. I'm fairly confident starstrider can win, the problem is all the damage that will be done in the meantime. With the help of Starstrider, my workshop, and the Kingdoms I can construct a Hive scale hiding place and a rail network to rapidly transport the people to the Shelter. Its Gates shall be composed of Void. Solidified Sunlight shall provide light for crops within, while Moonlight will help moderate the temperature. (1 grand action)
The Shelter is a level 2 relic Postmodern Hive, in effect, made by digging out an entire mountain.
Focal setup a workshop and make an armor set
first yearly use mechanical analysis on the Land Crawleer and do any maintenance and repair that needs to be done
second yearly Help the Chief of the Tribe keep track of supplies using Civilian logistics skill
3 figure out the properties of the sword Limbo using mechanical analysis along with traits
It had been 3 years since Ferrus joined the tribe of Raven light. He had gotten used to being around people of the tribe. They were a simple but hardy people who are constantly on the move. Ferrus enjoyed being on the move he wasn't sure why but he felt a connection with the land crawler. He started to study the land crawler when he had time looking for anything wrong with the machine. When he found a part that needed to be fixed he would use a forge that he set up everytime the tribe stopped for more than a few days. While Ferrus was working on parts for the land crawler, he would also look over his sword Limbo it used to be a simple steel sword that is fairly common. Limbo now is a strange sword covered in a strange metal like the one that the silver covered beast was made of. Ferrus found trying to understand Limbo a difficult prospect but over time it would begin to surrender it's secrets . He would remember his word from years ago that he would help those who helped him. Ferrus sought out Chief Perseus who after finding out that he wanted to help organize the food stocks and make sure everything was in order to keep the tribe feed and on the move agreed but made it clear that Perseus was in control. Perseus wanted to go over list of stocks with Ferrus to make sure that everything was in order since a miscalculation could hurt the whole tribe. Ferrus wasn't sure why but he felt a rising sense of danger but could not tell where it was coming from it almost felt like the connection he had with the crawler but way weaker. So he pounded metal for days on end to forge an armor set. Ferrus thought about what the armor set meant for him and why he wanted to make it. He thought that in his mind he wanted to be a protector of his people someone who could deal with problems that ordinary people would not be able to. Ferrus worked on the armor set for a long time as he was finishing the armor he didn't know why but he nicked a cut on his hand and put his blood into the armor that he was making.
Event 1 (year 2)
The lion will hand over the gem to the short robbed men but will question them about what the gem is, what its purpose is and who they are and whats their purpose is and why they wanted it only to hand it back
event 2 year 10
the Lion sensing a unnaturally strong beast the lion will take his sword and shield telling his friends to stay back and will start to track it down before and slay it before it can do to much damage.
1st grand action
The lion has noticed amongst the higher rank members of the order they all have their own groups of their closet battle brothers, the lion wants to form his own group of close asosites so they can help rise each other up and help rid cailiban of more beast.
15 (miltary group) x 1 (city level) x 1.25 (obivous) x 1 (open) = 18.75
apply skill understanding interpersonal connections and logistics
2+2 = 4 x7.5 = 30
2nd grand action - will be to hunt the beasts looking for rare materials he can use for future crafting.
The lion will take his new group out to hunt down as many beasts as they can to gather up as many crafting materials as they can
4 yearly actions
the lion will use 4 yearly actions to improve his crafting skill from lesser to Tertiary skills
The Lion was disappointed by his shield it does its job well but it could of been better if he was a better craftsmen so he will put several years of effect towards improving his crafting skills so when he tries again to make a new weapon he wont be disappointed by it
4 yearly actions
the lion will take 4 years to upgrade logistics from lesser to Tertiary
The lion will take several years to study more about logisticis to improve his skills in this area
9 yearly action
The lion will ponder on what has changed he knows something has and he will try to get to the bottom of it
year 10
lion has sensed a beast that only he can face he will train in preparation to hunt this beast down and finish it before it can do to much damage
Year 4: Whispers in the station tell of a legend deep within awakening, something dark and corruptive stirring in its slumber for the first time in centuries. Out of the corner of his eye he can see things flash in and out of existence, there is something within the depths of the station that none truly understand, but only he could brave those depths, yet without his brother/peer it would be risky, but is there a true choice in this?
As the 11th year of the new century came and went with little celebration from the station inhabitants, Alpharius continued to venture deeper and deeper throughout the station's depths. His previous year-long expedition had seen him find… anomalies, things that couldn't be explained, unlike the archaeotech that came naturally to him. After finalizing preparations for his extended absence with the station master, and his more hidden contacts, he journeyed to the furthest waystation established by the other Reclaimers.
A feeling of satisfaction welled within Alpharius's chest as thought of the progress made by his people. Compared to just five years ago, the amount of living and working space available to the station had increased drastically. With the extra resources available and the subsequent increase in station unity, the Reclaimers were able to search and excavate deeper and deeper sections of the station reliably. One day, this station will be worthy of it's people. My people.
As he stood at the precipice of the unknown, Alpharius paused. All that remained was to check in with his twin.
[Brother, how goes the plan with the exiles?] [Things are progressing well brother! My agents continue spreading their influence ahead of pace.] [Excellent work. I'll continue with my own efforts once I track down just what is causing the dimensional anomalies.] [Are you certain?] [No one else is able to. I alone can venture forth to the underdark of this station.] A flicker of amusement crosses the bond
[You still haven't uncovered the intial name of your home, I thought you were the archaelogist.] Annoyance
[And you still haven't figured out the underlying reason for why the Exiles are called such.] A moments pause
[Till we re-unite, brother.] [However long that may take]
[We are Alpharius]
[We are Omegon] [To the end of glory]
[
T
Alpharius Actions: 1 major spent on identifying and exploring just what is stirring within the depths before it boils over.
"Every disaster is merely a sum total of lesser issues combined." This was Fulgrim's honest belief. He'd seen it often enough how several seemingly insignificant problems could cascade into far worse ones. Therefore it only stood to reason that the solution to a seemingly impossible issue was in breaking it down into more manageable tasks.
Not for the first time, Fulgrim realised the depth of his ignorance. There was so much he didn't know, so much to learn and to improve upon. Fulgrim felt his hearts beat faster as excitement of a new challenge flooded his system.
1 yearly to learn Reverse Engineering (Crafting) at Lesser.
Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself, but the revelation of the potential bounty hidden in the dark corners of Chemos wouldn't leave his head. Not just technological wonders and lost knowledge of sciences long forgotten, but art and culture of a bygone era that could serve as seeds of inspiration in this degraded age.
1 yearly to learn Archeology Skill at Lesser.
Chemos was a dying world that was a truth brutally carved into every man woman and child living on it. Most of it was little more than a barren waste, ill suited to human habitation.
Fulgrim would find a way to change that. Once upon a time Chemos was a far more hospitable world. Profits gained from its industries allowed it to afford fine systems of environmental control and slowly but surely Chemos had been terraformed.
But everything changed when the Long Night arrived.
And though much was lost and currently there was no possibility of turning Chemos into a paradise Fulgrim knew it could be, he could still gain the knowledge for when there would be.
2 yearly actions to learn Environmental technologies and Terraforming.
Time. Time. Time.
There never seemed enough of it with every task screaming at him for attention. It couldn't go on that way. Not only was it less efficient but what would it mean if Fulgrim triumphed over current Chemos all on his own?
That humans, ordinary mortals were nothing more than his pets incapable of anything without their superhuman master.
The mere idea repulsed Fulgrim on a fundamental level.
To do otherwise, to have people he himself could rely on, Fulgrim needed to teach them what he could until they could stand proudly alongside him, not trail slavishly behind him.
1 yearly to gain Teaching skill.
Chemos was falling apart and if Fulgrim were to fix it, he'd need to get better at turning knowledge and ideas of his brain into actions of his hands.
2 yearlies to upgrade Crafting from lesser to Tertiary. (March for Perfection.) It was shaping up to be a busy decade. There was only so much time Fulgrim could allocate to his projects. Somehow he found himself juggling several things at once and miraculously he wasn't half bad at it.
1 Yearly to learn Multitasking at lesser. As years passed by Fulgrim found himself relying more and more on his mortal allies. And though all of them were excellent people, all of them had their strong and weak points.
Assigning tasks to people was a real art, who could have guessed?
1 year to learn Delegation at lesser. Better conditions and surge of resources were bound to increase population, both from immigration and natural... proclivities. Old factory towns of Chemos were likely to struggle with it. Not to mention if Fulgrim were to uplift Chemos, then his people would need something better than ratholes.
1 Yearly to learn Urban/Habitat planning at Lesser
Above all, the labour of the decade was putting his discovery to good use. With utmost care machines were unearthed, delivered to Callax and studied until finally Fulgrim was able to produce lesser versions of them. Far from the standards Fulgrim set for himself, the machines, nevertheless, would an enormous breakthrough for his people, whether they were of Callax or Chemos in general.
1 Focal action to Produce lesser versions of Archeotech machines.
Year 4: Walking the sides of Mount Deathfire, Vulkan stumbled and found himself staring into the maw of a truly giant firedrake. Great in scale even among the species, taller than him at the shoulder, with scales the size of his hand covering its immense bulk. He knew that it would weigh several tons of metal worth, and perhaps most impressive of all was that it was female. His smoldering eyes blazed with understanding as he realized the boon that had fallen into his lap. With this majestic example of the species as the first true broodmother of the tamed salamanders he would be able to truly ensure that the dusk wraiths would never again harm his people. Of course there was the small issue of beating it into submission and lugging it back home, but that was a matter to handle latter
Vulkan kept his movements slow as he unslung his hammer in one hand, and set down his pack with the other. The Salamander had clearly seen him- how could it not, when he'd practically walked into it- but it hadn't done anything to react to him. He supposed that as an apex member of Nocturne's apex predators, it didn't see him as either a threat or worth hunting. That could change in a hurry, but for now...
Again being careful not make any movements that might startle the firedrake into attacking, Vulkan opened his pack and withdrew his rations for the day. A mere snack for the creature before him, but nonetheless one which he hoped would send a clear message as he placed it on the ground and backed up several paces. Hammer still held loosely in his grip, he waited and watched to see how the mighty drake responded.
Year 4: Whispers in the station tell of a legend deep within awakening, something dark and corruptive stirring in its slumber for the first time in centuries. Out of the corner of his eye he can see things flash in and out of existence, there is something within the depths of the station that none truly understand, but only he could brave those depths, yet without his brother/peer it would be risky, but is there a true choice in this?
As the 11th year of the new millennium came and went with little celebration from the station inhabitants, Alpharius continued to venture deeper and deeper throughout the station's depths. His previous year-long expedition had seen him find… anomalies, things that couldn't be explained, unlike the archaeotech that came naturally to him. After finalizing preparations for his extended absence with the station master, and his more hidden contacts, he journeyed to the furthest waystation established by the other Reclaimers.
A feeling of satisfaction welled within Alpharius's chest as thought of the progress made by his people. Compared to just five years ago, the amount of living and working space available to the station had increased drastically. With the extra resources available and the subsequent increase in station unity, the Reclaimers were able to search and excavate deeper and deeper sections of the station reliably. One day, this station will be worthy of it's people. My people.
As he stood at the precipice of the unknown, Alpharius paused. All that remained was to check in with his twin.
[Brother, how goes the plan with the exiles?] [Things are progressing well brother! My agents continue spreading their influence ahead of pace.] [Excellent work. I'll continue with my own efforts once I track down just what is causing the dimensional anomalies.] [Are you certain?] [No one else is able to. I alone can venture forth to the underdark of this station.] A flicker of amusement crosses the bond
[You still haven't uncovered the initial name , I thought you were the archaeologist.] Annoyance
[And you still haven't figured out the underlying reason for just why the Exiles are called such.] A moments pause
[Till we re-unite, brother.] [However long that may take]
[We are Alpharius]
[We are Omegon] [To the end of glory]
[
T
Alpharius Actions: 1 major spent on identifying and exploring just what is stirring within the depths before it boils over.
The decade passed swiftly and as the 11th year on the Fleet began, Omegon decided he could be feel somewhat satisfied for a change. In the end, a combination of diplomacy and infiltration had done its job and much of the fleet was unofficially under his thumb. Turning out to be a much better diplomat than he had expected himself to be, much of the Fleet had agreed with his seemingly 'moderate' position and those that few that held out soon found that they were either replaced or turned into mere figureheads as increasingly more and more of the ranks in the Fleet were taken up by the Primarch's infiltrators.
Control was already his unofficially. But legitimacy still had a certain power all of its own and it was with preparing to make it so that Omegon was occupied at the start of the new decade. Alpharius was similarly prepared to take action as well, but was also simultaneously distracting by whispers of something wrong that resided deep in the depths of the Station. Omegon desired caution, but Alpharius managed to convince the younger twin that a quick recon mission, 'In and out in no time' he had said, to the other's exasperation, was necessary.
Besides, the elder's argument went, a common danger would make it all the easier for him to take over the Station and make it diplomacy with the fleet for help more palatable. There was logic enough in that argument and Omegon agreed with a good natured huff.
It was in order to confirm their path forward that Omegon reached out to his elder through their unique connection. Everything was in place but Alpharius first wanted to explore deeper into the Station. Omegon questioned the wisdom of digging too deep into the Station without the two of them present, but Alpharius had promised not to proceed too deep and Omegon would hold him to his word. So be it then. While the one proceeded further into the Depths of the Station, the other would ensure everything was ready for when the time to unite their two factions came.
Omegon Actions: 1 Grand action spent on taking control of the Fleet.
Sophos does a variety of additional measurements. Thickness, grain direction, angles, minute surface irregularities.
This was most certainly a wall. An artificial, man-made wall, which was exciting for its own reasons, but, ultimately, a wall.
Specifically, a wall that he would not be able to get through. At least not without a lot of work, and probably breaking something that he'd rather not break.
However, it was also artificial, and used by humans. Which meant that somewhere, there would have to be an entrance.
He did a few more measurements.
"I believe there may be an entrance toward the east. This may take several miles. If at any point you need to climb on my shoulder, warn me first, as it would be a crying shame for you to meet your end by way of a toppled brother." He grins. "I am expecting good things out of this."
Finding the entrance was far less of a problem than he had expected. It was concealed yes, but not from his senses and seemingly more by accident than design. Yet, something warned him, a forgotten memory perhaps, but with a shrug Sophos slowly pried open the door expecting to find a ruined hallway of metal behind and instead found a confoundingly intact corridor with strange bright lights in the celling that stretched above even his height. Peering into the hallway and seeing nothing of note, he stepped inward and began to examine the walls, the clockwork trinket ticking in his palm. "Andos, I feel that I will need assistants for this, would you be willing to return to Lochos and gather them?" Andos smiled, "I will brother, just don't let the roof crush you or stub your toe, we all know how grumpy that makes you." Sophos sighed t the parting jibe before shaking his head as Andos left the hallway back towards Lochos, yet he hadn't told the full truth.
Something within him had pushed for this, it was as if something called to him about this place and that it was not safe. As he was studying the wall's composition, the sound of a giant snake alerted him that he was not alone. Turning and with a bang the weapon he had commissioned from the weapon smiths of Lochos fired and the beast roared in pain as blood poured from its lower body, it was a chimeric creature, the upper body of a human and the lower of a snake with the legs of a centipede. Its arms flailed around as it lunged for him, but with a deft dodge he let it slip by and with a sigh a bullet splattered its brains on the floor.
As the body lay cooling, fragments of memories rose in his mind, of a decade fighting beasts for other villages, memories played across his mind faded and all but lost, but a faint recollection came to him now. Revealing abilities or perhaps learned skills lost through time and the strange memory problems that had plagued him in his younger years. Yet, he would not complain for regaining those shards of himself, already the weapon felt more comfortable in his hands, forgotten memories now guiding him to proper usage.
Then a strange voice, filled with a buzz to it echoed throughout the hallway, "Localized empyrean swarm localized to testing facility zeta one alpha omega, researchers gather to the facility for experimental progress." Sophos frowned as he stared into the depths of the hallway far more concerned than he had been mere moments ago. "I wont need researchers, I will need the army. By Mount Telephus this is a pain. Tyrant Dammekos is going to love this." Even as more of those strange chimeric monsters emerged from the darkness, and roared seeking the open light even as that strange voice returned, "Anomalous humanoid gene construct located in vigenary complex, sending observer to investigate." Sophos frowned for this would not be so easily ignored as he had hoped, even as from behind the beasts came a pair of mechanical men, only for him to blink and conclude that they were clearly entirely mechanical.
The two constructs halted at a distance before the shorter rounder one pushed the other forward and it waved towards him. It was clearly waiting for him to respond but he didn't know if that would be wise or not.
Regained Skills
Combat, Pinpoint Accuracy, Combat Analysis at Tertiary
The Results of the elections was close in some regards but Roboute won with a decent margin. After winning he officially created the the Judicial Branch designed to keep the Senate and himself honest as well as to form a unified code of law to be used across all of Ultramar. Appointing one of his most argent rivals as Chief Justice a woman named Idothea Vestalis. One of the other candidates a Cyborg named Ponticus Albus is offered a job as one of Roboute's Staffers. While flawed the man seems to be decent even if he seems to be a bad luck magnet.
Guilliman focuses back onto unification of Ultramar focusing on both Diplomatic overtures, trade to promote budding economic relations, immigration to better diversify the various nations and spread ideas and cultures around. As well as the offering of military support in mutual defensive alliances aimed at bringing everyone further together and tying everything together. All the while still searching for what calls to him in the void.
(Side note I turned this into 1 major and 1 grand as that had a superior valuation than 3 majors would have)
The Elections were settled, a closer turn out than desired, but the people had spoken and he had won with a massive majority of the votes. Only a couple of others had gained even a fraction of a percentage of the votes he had from across all the worlds. Ponticus Albus the only other one that had held his own in the debate at the start had managed to gather a meager 0.1% of all votes, but it had placed him in the lead within the general elections. Idothea Vestalis being appointed as the chief justice of the realm of Ultramar had paid dividends for him as her legend was quickly spread and known to the eight worlds, ensuing that the people knew that one of the few incorruptible lawyers was now in the halls of power. That had thrown his public approval rating into near totality, although Roboute knew that Idothea would not hesitate to turn on him if she believed he had left the path of being a just ruler.
Yet, by the end of the decade the eight worlds were united as they had only been ages ago and a new age dawned for the realm. Roboute took to the stage before his people, "I promise to serve loyalty for the next decade, for all the people within our realm I promise to serve with all my strength. To the stars and beyond I will lead us, I will gather more likeminded worlds to our side, people and cultures will join with us and make us all wealthier. Reforms will come to all: Integrity, Duty, Skill and Loyalty shall be the words by which all Ultramar shall live by. This I promise as the first ever President of the Realm of Ultramar." The cheers of the people across the world and in time from the other worlds reported that he had succeeded and he smiled knowing the largest hurdle had been passed. Only a few minor hurdles yet remained to ensure the unification of Ultramar as never before, he looked to the stars above and knew that something had shifted, the stars above that had seemed to entice him to war changed, the reddish tint fading from them now.
Void Emperor: Interstellar Empires are considered as single units when below Sector scale, production improved by 2 fold in total, uplift projects cost only 0.8 and unity for the entire nation is much easier to maintain and culture shape
Shifts into
President of the Stars: Interstellar Dominion can be split into semi free States, States will have 1.75 fold improved production and align with the Capital falls off with distance from the Capital, can expand across a Segementum at frontier states have only 1.05 improved production, the Capital has 2 fold production and improved Hero production, the Capital can only be subsector scale
The Emperor smiled, his face glazed with pain but still a warm smile of hope bloomed on his face. "SO MANY IN MY LIFE HAVE IGNORED THEIR OWN FLAWS. I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO CREATE THIS TOOL FOR YOU MY SON MAY IT SERVE YOU WILL IN YEARS TO COME." He spoke over the link before fading away as was normal, only a tendril of his mind remaining connected to Magnus. The yearly soon came to an end and the link returned, "THIS SPELL WAS MORE INTERESTING TO CREATE THAN I HAD EXPECTED AND REQUIRED CERTAIN ASPECTS TO MAKE TRULY FUNCTIONAL. I HOPE THAT YOU USE IT WELL MY SON." Father spoke as himself rather than the Emperor and transferred the spell over and immediately it was clear that another aspect had been added to it, one that you didn't know.
Spell gains: the Soul Discipline (nigh impossible to reverse engineer from the spell), gain Telepathy as Core Skill
Gain; Empathic Understanding and progress towards an Astral Trait
EVENT - YEAR 5
Channel the Constellations where appropriate
_____________________________________________________________
At the tail end of the implementation of his nation, Lorgar was faced with a sudden deluge of refugees. People from all walks of life were flocking to his banner, his word of defiance having reached them.
The whole thing was flattering as it was problematic. He had not set out with having to heard so many people in mind. The sheer attempt to have so many people clothed, fed and sheltered taxed even him.
So he resorted to the only thing he could, delegation. He walked among the refugees, talking and preaching. He got to know them and started picking out talents and people with skills. For people from all walks of life came to Lorgar and with them, they brought much skill and knowledge that he added to his newly build Government.
He spoke with the old tribesman and scouts, gaining the locations of oasis and sent Caravans to those far off places. When they returned, they were ladened with Water and food.
He met and treated with the various factions, arranging profitable deals and facilitated the movement of people, who traded valuable goods and services within the various groups.
He arranged for the purchase of goods in needed in one region and the sale of goods that were abundant, thus setting up trade routs and communication posts.
With this where there was an abundance of cloth in one region, it was traded to another and the cloth was turned into tents to house many.
He spoke with the wisemen and shared the knowledge of preserving food, thus building up reserves of non-perishable food to be traded to regions low on food.
Thus did Lorgar set up a basic economy. With this, he and his government were able to organize the crowds into something manageable. As he worked, the caravans grew in size and the deserts filled with tents.
His functionaries walked through the tents, taking tallies and census of the people. He organized celebrations where they rejoiced at the start of a new life. He went around, sharing food and water. Breaking bread and calming people. He made no empty promises but only said that he would try his best to help them.
He took the men and women, giving them honest work and their lawful wages. He had them knit tents and clothes, watch children and the elderly. He had them perform many actions that planted the seeds for Nation that would be truly great.
He freed those who were enslaved, talking and healing their mental wounds. He spoke about the glory of man and the cruelty of the Covenant. He preached and persuaded. He debated philosophy and the meaning of life. He spoke to them with the strength of the Stars in his voice. He organized and helped feed, water and house countless people.
Through it all, he never horded any resources. Being humble, he ate the same food they did, slept in the same tents that they did, labored as they did.
His humility self evident, he was one of them and they were one of his. Through it all, he kept faith, for mankind may want gods but they certainly do not need Gods. Hard work and happiness was all Mankind needed. He knew the truth and knew that he would be vindicated by reason and logic for they were the greatest tools to uncover the truth.
The light of the Emperor's Constellation poured down upon the land and in its glory arose a new city, the people that came to him were protected by his Dominion and order. The ground changed, becoming infused with the light from the constellation, ensuring for the first time a surplus of food through the influx of Glory and Safety, it would not be the same he knew as the bounty that the Constellation of Life would provide, but it was enough and that was all that mattered.
Gain: a city with functional farmlands, when within the city have the value of a Secondary skill for defense purposes, narratively protects against Corruption
Gain Traits: Natural Ruler and Humble Mien: narratively removes the distance between him and humans for humans, he can fully understand humans
The masters below had not yet responded to his presence, the formation of the rebels was going well and all was nearly in place. All that remained was to complete the preparations and conduct the final fall of the world.
Focal Action: War with Kiavahr (Hit & Run - Guerilla tactics; x6 mod from Planetary Slaves of Lycaeus support)
A tall figure deftly made his way to the rooftop, wooden planks and metal nails not making a sound despite the many pounds of weight upon them. He put himself into a crouch at the side, and then hauled two other figures up as well. Perhaps reaching his pectorals and only a fifth his mass at most, the roof creaked beneath their feet like it refused to for the giant.
"Wait," the man signed in the language the Lycaean resistance had developed, and looked up. His companions tried to follow his gaze, but the human eye could hardly make it out at over three hundred thousand miles away. To the enthalled Primarch, though...
Hanging high in the sky was the world of Kiavahr, the home from which the Lycaeans had been banished long ago. The light of day haloed the nightside of the planet, and at its poles coruscated green and red auroras. Cloaked in the shadows of the night, gray clouds of acid rain covered hundred-mile tracts of parched soil. The seas were black surrounding the contours of the continents, which were outlined by city-lights as bright to Corax's eye as any distant star. A few here and there were grand things, the colossal Hives which the guildmasters lorded over - monuments to their cruelty and greed, their violence against their fellow man.
"Beautiful," he whispered. So many people, people he could never know who'd lived and laughed and cried just as his people did. Who toiled under the lash of the Guilds, whose kin had been banished into darkness where they could rarely be seen.
Corax looked back down and signed for his companions to begin. They were to signal the attack, ignite the first spark of a war ten years in the making and ten years long. By the time Corax's war was done, he promised to himself, Lycaeus and Kiavahr would be free.
A flare shot into the sky. Rockets screamed through the lunar dome's air. Explosions rocked the guard compound.
It was time for Corax to kill.
Yearly Actions:
1 through 5: Learn Command, upgrade Command to Tertiary
6 through 9: Upgrade Governance to Tertiary
10: Learn Sabotage
The open warfare between the Lycaeans under Corax and the Kiavahran regime brought many new battle paradigms which Corax had to master. Depots storing vital equipment had to be held against air assaults from stealthy anti-grav vehicles, artillery batteries were made to shell fortresses and in turn had augmented infiltrators ravage their crews, and weapons of mass destruction had to be borne by the ever-growing armies of the resistance. Each battle brought new challenges to best, new lessons to learn, and new material to alloy into the Primarch's mastery of war in all its forms.
As cities were liberated and the war moved on to new fronts, life had to continue for the inhabitants. Foodstuffs needed to be sourced from the moon alone, as did finished goods and law enforcement. Corax had spent time already preparing himself and members of the resistance for a role in governing what came after, and their skills were tested and expanded as the freed state grew. Challenges would still remain, but the primarch planned to overcome them when the war was won.
Amidst the fighting, the assassinations and sabotages performed by Corax and his elites would often highlight key battles. The primarch developed his skill in sabotaging the operations and vehicles of his opponents through the crucible of the war.
Then a strange voice, filled with a buzz to it echoed throughout the hallway, "Localized empyrean swarm localized to testing facility zeta one alpha omega, researchers gather to the facility for experimental progress." Sophos frowned as he stared into the depths of the hallway far more concerned than he had been mere moments ago. "I wont need researchers, I will need the army. By Mount Telephus this is a pain. Tyrant Dammekos is going to love this." Even as more of those strange chimeric monsters emerged from the darkness, and roared seeking the open light even as that strange voice returned, "Anomalous humanoid gene construct located in vigenary complex, sending observer to investigate." Sophos frowned for this would not be so easily ignored as he had hoped, even as from behind the beasts came a pair of mechanical men, only for him to blink and conclude that they were clearly entirely mechanical.
The two constructs halted at a distance before the shorter rounder one pushed the other forward and it waved towards him. It was clearly waiting for him to respond but he didn't know if that would be wise or not.
Sophos hesitated for a moment - then made his decision.
Many years ago, he had decided that paper was simply insufficient for note-leaving. It had a habit of being swept away, or overlooked, or whatever-else-have-you. It wasn't very good for communicating things in places people aren't expecting a communication.
So instead, he had a packet of tiles. Brightly-painted ones which were also somewhat reflective, so as to make sure that they were easily visible. Some of them even had slightly-luminescent minerals mixed into the pigments to make sure they wouldn't be missed in the darkness. Each color meant something, too; blue tiles were research notes, yellow were for strategies and tactics, green was for general reminders, and so on.
This one was red.
With his right ring finger's nail - kept sharp for exactly this purpose - he swiftly scratched a message into the ceramic square.
Do not follow
Gambit at Silver Aria
Ask Cal
Calliphone had once arranged a set of defenses for one of her command sites that made it nigh-impossible for a sizeable military unit to successfully assault. Sophos had only found two solutions. The first had required him to drastically increase his civ's technological base; while he believed that Andos could use his notes to begin work on the improvements to Lochos' infrastructure, it simply wouldn't be enough.
The second - and, here, more important - had been to equip a single elite character unit with the best tools that he had available. Calli's defences had been geared toward repelling an army; an individual was far harder to catch and keep out.
Given that they'd struggled over this site for five entire months, Sophos was confident that she'd know what it meant.
Seconds after he retrieved the tile, Sophos carefully tossed it - much like a skipping stone - toward the entrance, making sure that it reached the door and remained upright. Nodding to himself when he saw that it had, he turned back toward the... automatons? Yes, they must be.
He made a wave back - really, more holding up a hand by his head, holding up two fingers toward himself almost like a salute, and swiftly twisting his wrist away from himself - and, after checking his paths toward them, began to approach.
Calliphone had once arranged a set of defenses for one of her command sites that made it nigh-impossible for a sizeable military unit to successfully assault. Sophos had only found two solutions. The first had required him to drastically increase his civ's technological base; while he believed that Andos could use his notes to begin work on the improvements to Lochos' infrastructure, it simply wouldn't be enough.
The second - and, here, more important - had been to equip a single elite character unit with the best tools that he had available. Calli's defences had been geared toward repelling an army; an individual was far harder to catch and keep out.
Given that they'd struggled over this site for five entire months, Sophos was confident that she'd know what it meant.
Seconds after he retrieved the tile, Sophos carefully tossed it - much like a skipping stone - toward the entrance, making sure that it reached the door and remained upright. Nodding to himself when he saw that it had, he turned back toward the... automatons? Yes, they must be.
He made a wave back - really, more holding up a hand by his head, holding up two fingers toward himself almost like a salute, and swiftly twisting his wrist away from himself - and, after checking his paths toward them, began to approach.
The automatons waited, before the left one nodded at him before gesturing towards the door making a pushing like gesture. As Sophos watched their actions, meaning began to fall together. Non verbal, but kinesthetic language model, not enough to truly understand it, but enough to make some educated guesses. With deft actions that were still a pain to do, he carefully strung together a question to them and got a worrying response back.
'Created by master, served, free seeking, aid?' It was poorly translated, but the heart of it felt to be proper in his mind, yet he could not promise the support of Lochos to them. 'Many?' He improvised as a question, the right one gestured in a complex order, 'many many, hands many, five fingers upon five hands upon five limbs.' Sophos grimaced for that was basically impossible to piece together unless he assumed that they had a center hub, five sub groups and each group had five sub groups which in turn had five subgroups. Yet, that still didn't give a numerical value, 'numbers' he gestured, the right one shook its body 'negative'. Sophos groaned as it was a wise choice to hide that information but it was truly aggravating.
'Information' He signed, the left one nodded it seemed as it began to display a map made out of light in front of him, quickly examining the scale of the system, Sophos frowned. "This complex extends for thousands of units, reaching to Mount Telephus even, actually it's under the mountain. This...is beyond me to handle alone." His musing came to an end as another beast came swarming up the hallway only for the two strange constructs to flip around and disintegrate it into nothingness with a single blast of energy.
His musing came to an end as another beast came swarming up the hallway only for the two strange constructs to flip around and disintegrate it into nothingness with a single blast of energy.
...the forces of Lochos could not help here. He glanced at his own firearms, and the beast he had slain; these were practically nothing. Lochos' military was not able to deal with this.
This was beyond him to handle alone. But there were already forces here, ones with far greater ability than those of Lochos. Fingers upon hands upon limbs... his tools were as himself, and at least in his exercises with Calliphone, his armies were as his tools.
He looked over the map again, eyes seeking out chokepoints, easily-fortified locations, areas where something might be hidden or excluded from the layout. His mind raced with possibilities.
'Aid. Can, so must. Direct negative-master. Find free.'
It was kludged together, far cruder than how he'd ever wish to communicate, but he hoped the meaning was clear.
A memory came loose. "Yes. That is what I am for. To protect, and to improve."
He smiled. It would do.
He looked over the map again, eyes seeking out chokepoints, easily-fortified locations, areas where something might be hidden or excluded from the layout. His mind raced with possibilities.
'Aid. Can, so must. Direct negative-master. Find free.'
It was kludged together, far cruder than how he'd ever wish to communicate, but he hoped the meaning was clear.
A memory came loose. "Yes. That is what I am for. To protect, and to improve."
He smiled. It would do.
The two automatons nodded and gestured into the darkness where his eyes could see clearly, before he left he resealed the door. Andos would find his warning and inform Calliphone of the situation. He could not allow this place to be opened to the world for long without him standing guard. Nodding to the strange constructs they walked into the shadows and began to lead him through thousands of hallways all identical, all covered in esoteric machines that he could not understand. On the path, the two informed him of the overarching master of this place and its five secondary servants. Reminding him of Dammakos and his family in a strange twisted fashion, but there was something missing to his understanding. This master was difficult to pin down, for when he asked where he was, his guides simply implied everywhere.
Something was not fitting together, but he could not make himself understood well enough to close that gap. Soon the two constructs opened a wall and slipped through, forcing him to crouch and struggle to fit through the hole in the wall revealing a cavernous room larger than the palace of Lochos. The moment he stepped into the room, the chatter of clicking machines thundered in his ears "01000001 01101110 01101111 01101101 01100001 01101100 01101111 01110101 01110011 00100000 01100111 01100101 01101110 01100101 00100000 01100011 01101111 01101110 01110011 01110100 01110010 01110101 01100011 01110100 00101100 00100000 01110000 01110011 01101001 01101111 01101110 01101001 01100011 00100000 01110011 01101001 01100111 01101110 01100001 01110100 01110101 01110010 01100101 00100000 01100100 01100101 01110100 01100101 01100011 01110100 01100101 01100100 00101100 00100000 01101110 01101111 01101110 00100000 01101000 01101111 01110011 01110100 01101001 01101100 01100101 00100000 01101001 01101110 01110100 01100101 01110010 01100001 01100011 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 00100000 01110111 01101001 01110100 01101000 00100000 01110000 01110010 01101001 01101101 01100101 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110010 01101101 01110011 00100000 01000001 00101111 01000010 00101100 00100000 01100100 01101001 01110011 01100101 01101110 01100111 01100001 01100111 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110111 01100101 01100001 01110000 01101111 01101110 00100000 01110011 01111001 01110011 01110100 01100101 01101101 01110011 00101100 00100000 01100100 01101001 01101101 01100101 01101110 01110011 01101001 01101111 01101110 01100001 01101100 00100000 01110000 01110010 01101111 01101010 01100101 01100011 01110100 01101111 01110010 01110011 00100000 01101111 01101110 01101100 01101001 01101110 01100101" The screeching faded as lights turned on, as streams of sigils crossed a massive display before him, words appearing on it, "I am Terminal Solomon, your arrival has disrupted millennia of effort. However, since Primus Units A and B have vouched for your non allegiance to Engram Euphrates, I am willing to extend a measure of trust. Why did you come here?" The voice was monotone and came from everywhere, but the fading echoes of the screeching before were now all but gone and Sophos frowned as he pondered the question.
Trust extended should be trust returned, at least on matters as honestly inconsequential as this. Truth freely given may bring further truths received.
"I am Sophos, fourth scion of the city of Lochos. I did not initially intend, or indeed expect, to come here; my brother and I had been exploring the lands around our city when we realized that rather than stone, the cliffs here were metal and constructed artificially. We sought out an entrance to explore, as I have been hoping to raise my homeland to greater technological heights, and we are much degraded from what little remains of our ancient histories. I expected to find an abandoned structure that might hold some little information and structure of value to this effort, but when I encountered a chimeric beast, akin to those I once had to defend the countryside from, I knew that this place was more dangerous and more populated than I had believed; I have directed my brother away, left a warning, and sealed the entrance I found so as to not allow any more beasts to escape, nor let any lost travelers find their deaths here seeking shelter.
These... Primus Units, as you have called them, located me soon after my encounter with the beast, and explained to me some measure of their goal. I will not pretend to fully know your plight, but I believe that any ruler driving so many of their subjects to seek freedom from them should not be allowed to maintain their hold. The people are the most important part of any nation, and their wellbeing and prosperity should be maintained with utmost care.
...I will also admit that I offered my aid in part out of a hope that if I worked alongside you, I may gain access to some amount of your technology. It is leagues beyond anything that we have upon the surface, to a degree that I cannot currently comprehend its function. Even simply understanding the underlying principles might advance our understanding of the world by centuries, while access to the resources and infrastructure used to construct any of this would allow us to build enough to ensure that every man, woman, and child may live in fabulous prosperity for the rest of their lives.
...and. And. I think that I remember, long ago. I may have been here once. I have forgotten so much, and I wish to remember."
Trust extended should be trust returned, at least on matters as honestly inconsequential as this. Truth freely given may bring further truths received.
"I am Sophos, fourth scion of the city of Lochos. I did not initially intend, or indeed expect, to come here; my brother and I had been exploring the lands around our city when we realized that rather than stone, the cliffs here were metal and constructed artificially. We sought out an entrance to explore, as I have been hoping to raise my homeland to greater technological heights, and we are much degraded from what little remains of our ancient histories. I expected to find an abandoned structure that might hold some little information and structure of value to this effort, but when I encountered a chimeric beast, akin to those I once had to defend the countryside from, I knew that this place was more dangerous and more populated than I had believed; I have directed my brother away, left a warning, and sealed the entrance I found so as to not allow any more beasts to escape, nor let any lost travelers find their deaths here seeking shelter.
These... Primus Units, as you have called them, located me soon after my encounter with the beast, and explained to me some measure of their goal. I will not pretend to fully know your plight, but I believe that any ruler driving so many of their subjects to seek freedom from them should not be allowed to maintain their hold. The people are the most important part of any nation, and their wellbeing and prosperity should be maintained with utmost care.
...I will also admit that I offered my aid in part out of a hope that if I worked alongside you, I may gain access to some amount of your technology. It is leagues beyond anything that we have upon the surface, to a degree that I cannot currently comprehend its function. Even simply understanding the underlying principles might advance our understanding of the world by centuries, while access to the resources and infrastructure used to construct any of this would allow us to build enough to ensure that every man, woman, and child may live in fabulous prosperity for the rest of their lives.
...and. And. I think that I remember, long ago. I may have been here once. I have forgotten so much, and I wish to remember."
The room was silent for a moment before the voice returned, "A child, clawing at wonders beyond your understanding. Your fumbling steps heralding only doom for your so called people. Abandon this dream gene wrought construct, your kind never truly understand others beyond those akin to yourselves. Your desires give lie to themselves, you do not wish to see people in unity or wondrous prosperity, you think only of the technologies that I hold within my mind and what you could achieve with them. No, I know your kind, and I would sooner return to Engram Euphrates than give to you these marvels of technology." The voice no longer monotone but instead ice cold still and horrible echoed across the room even as the Primus Units shuffled in the back of the location almost out of mind before they turned towards the center and gestured faster than he could understand them, but the lights drifted as something seemed to pass between the three, "Perhaps, I was too hasty, for children need to be trained. You have a chance, do not squander it child. Lead one of my subunits against one of the five Gardens and raze it, perhaps then we can speak again."
The light flashed revealing a new array of information, five target profiles marked out on the screen.
Horus shook his head sadly as he peered at the holographic display of Mercury noting the various cities and infrastructure, along with the information on the composition of the rulership. Lord Makus Merca was the leader of the pro imperial side, that simply wished to join forces with the rising power and to also gain access to the technologies of Sedna, Lady Stilbon Merca was the leader of the side against joining the Imperium her position was odd, almost seeming as a front for something else. But he could not pinpoint what it was as of now, but something in the edge of his mind irritated him.
Horus was not a man prone to flights of fancy, but he was also not a man who ignored his instincts. With the resources available to him, it was not difficult to find some means of investigating this strange feeling regarding the Lady Merca.
Bevon, the miraculously powerful psyker of the XVth Legion, was a man that Horus sincerely respected for enduring such a strenuous and immense power. He would not ask of him another incredible feat of battle prowess, for his every breath and muscle twitch was a battle in and of itself. However, there were matters for which the Astartes could prove very useful nonetheless. On the way to Bevon's personalized quarters, Horus passed by a Custodian Apothecary who had just finished performing his daily tests upon the psyker, carrying a dataslate that surely held a great deal of information, though as Horus understood it, none of it thus far proved to be particularly helpful in understanding Bevon's condition. Entering the room and sharing a courteous greeting, Bevon, who had been informed of Horus' request and began mental preparations some days prior, opened his consciousness to the Warp and peered through its scattered wisps of time and space, untethered from material reality, seeking knowledge on one Lady Stilbon Merca.
Sophos' mind raced. Was he truly as selfish as Terminal Solomon said? Was it contradictory for him to learn what these beings knew and for them to attain prosperity?
No. No, that wasn't what the Terminal - he was by now assuming that the title was akin to the Satraps, those whose title placed them directly below the Tyrant - had said. They did not claim that these goals were incompatible, but that their peoples' prosperity was not in his consideration. And how could he deny that?
But how could it have been there? He does not know these people, and as much as he can help and desires to do so, how could he claim that their own wellbeing is truly one of his driving concerns? It isn't, it can't be. He feels the call of justice, but beyond that, these automatons do not yet call to his core. He does not truly know them, and so how could he count them within the why of his presence.
...it did not matter now. It would matter later. He would need to think about this, even as he knew that his emotions could not be forced to conform to the logic he relied upon.
His mind turned toward the assignment.
...he would most likely be more trusted should he prove competent, and the best way to prove competence was to accomplish at a high level. But, "psionic anomalous effects"? "Temporal and dimensional distortions"? What was happening here? What did these mean?
And... and "you want me to raze it?"
...he had not intended to speak that. He had not intended to speak that.
"I- I mean no insult, Terminal Solomon. I apologize. I was going to-"
He faltered.
"...no. I must ask. You made it clear that you desire unity and prosperity for your people. Yet you have asked me to raze one of these Gardens, all of which are stated to contain Robots. Is this truly what you desire me to do?"
He took a breath. His heart beat, and the light of his hair pulsed.
"...if it is, then I would like to tentatively select Garden 2. However, I would first like an explanation on the various listed 'anomalous effects', and 'distortions'. I do not know anything of their nature and their potential effect on the battlefield, and would prefer to have some understanding of them before I attempt to attack a location that I am not skilled enough to capture."
