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WH40k - To Stand Against Horror

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Preaching to the Soul
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    • PurposefulZephyr threw 100-faced dice Reason: How are the Four feeling today Total: 62
    [X] Find a priest to talk to
    [X] "Private Lothar." Choice from the Author

    You know that whatever was in that dream, it did not feel right. It may have been a nightmare or just nerves but you would feel better talking to a priest. You nod to yourself as you look over the other guardsmen going to sleep. You stand and make your way quietly out of the room, your uniform still on and sword at your side.

    Travelling through the large ship you get a feel for the scale of the thing. The cruiser, the "Staunch Dagger", is deemed 'small' by the naval elements but you cannot help but feel the twisting tunnels mixed with large open rooms packed with equipment shake off that classification. The time spent walking through the crowded tunnels packed with servitors managing the systems or the occasional Tech-Priest murmuring something as they are looking over some significant looking devices is mixed with the large foreboding silent halls with statues that stretch over to glare as you walk past.

    You stop in one of these large halls to look at multiple signs plastered on a single wall. The white lettering stark against jet black metal catching your attention. You glance through the information seeing the 'Armoury' 'Bridge' 'Engines' with arrows displaying to the right. 'Mess Hall' 'Church' and 'Hanger' have an arrow throwing itself to the left. A final chart is an arrow pointing behind you with 'Barracks' 'Elevators' written under it.

    You walk in the direction of the Church. As you do you can't help but notice how...clean it is. Certainly, cleaner than the rest of the ship. The simple metal floor and walls lined with pipes or the occasional console are replaced with a fine red carpet and more ornate statues of His Angels.
    The statues seeming to judge with their marble glares following any passer-by. A door glitters on the right as the fine red carpet seems to end a few paces past it, the metal underneath continuing in another walkway.

    The door is an ostentatious thing. Golden panels filled with miniature carvings of glory and sacrifice. Figures of the humble guardsmen to the mightiest Angel are showered in gold. The only thing that stands out is the symbol of the Aquilla. The symbol is a more mundane wooden colour that seems to be enhanced by the flamboyant colour around it. Seeming so...humble in what it inspires around it.

    You salute the Aquilla before entering. The grandiose door is betrayed by the humble white and metal walls inside. The statues are of forgiving men and woman that seem to welcome you. Simple wooden pews are there for people to sit in and there is a well-worn, brown rug that seems to radiate a comfortable feel.

    The church has some people in it as you enter. Some are guardsmen like yourself already in prayer, some are part of the navy and seem to be talking to each other in respectfully quiet tones and the person you wanted to see. The priest is in discussion with another man of the cloth. You wait as their conversation dies down.

    "And remember, we always look after those who are troubled so that they may embrace the God-Emperor and fulfil their duties." The elder male priest speaks.

    The younger one nods "Yes, Father Saul." The Father smiles before turning to you. You make the sign of the Aquilla as you approach.

    "Ah, another guardian of the Imperium here to speak with a guardian of the soul. How may Preacher Saul help you?" His tone is light, almost joyful.

    "May I speak to in private Father?" Comes you quiet reply. In return he chuckles.

    "That's not a title I have apart from my son, please call me Saul or Preacher if you must." He gestures to a little room that whilst open to the church would be far enough from anyone to hear. You walk inside as he follows, the room is mostly bare apart from a table and two chairs and a cabinet. You sit in one as the Preacher sits in the other. "Tell me your burden."

    (Perception | Dreams: 51+Still Fresh: 10 = 61)

    Explaining what you saw is a hard task in the beginning. Then once you describe the figures you can't seem to stop. The entire thing comes pouring out of you as the old man bores into your eyes. Never flinching. After all is said, he sits back in silence. It stretches out for a long moment. No movement. No sound in the room.

    "Okay." He mutters. "It sounds like something from the battle affected you. The God-Emperor's duties are hard, and as such he must test us to ensure we are capable of the task's set before us." He stands walking over to the cabinet and taking out a cup, a bowl and some liquid. "It is good you came to speak to me however. If you feel like you need to this again, I recommend you find any priest. Whilst He may test us, we can ease these burdens to make our paths lighter." He hands the cup filled with the liquid to you as he lifts a bowl of ash to his chest.

    "Drink and pray to the Mighty God-Emperor so that He may diminish the load placed upon you." You do as commanded, the preachers hand touching the ash and displaying the sign of the Aquilla before pressing the ash to your temples. You pray for a while.

    (You have found the last mechanic that has been active for the entire quest so far. Corruption. This mechanic is active on all the things you do. It will not be present in most choices and will only show after the action is completed. Your current status with Corruption was 15/100 now reduced to 5/100. Certain actions can be taken to reduce Corruption such as talking to a priest or other activities.)

    You make your way back to the barracks feeling better. You are still feeling haunted but better about yourself. As you enter, you can see Andrehan sitting alone about seven beds away from the door. He seems to be looking at something. On the other hand, Botches is talking to the other surviving squad members. Finally Commissar Ashturn is staring coldly at everyone, glancing at you when you came in.

    (Pick 1)
    [ ] Talk to Andrehan about his past (Culture of Vitrian Blood Nobles)
    [ ] Talk to Botches and the Five (Know the survivors and Culture of Vitrian Dragoons - Byhata)
    [ ] Talk to Ashturn (Try to talk about her past)
    [ ] Go to Bed (Skip to Teldon)
     
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