Black Crusade (cinematic / mostly freeform) - Recruitment reopened

[HairyHeretic]

For more than a hundred centuries the Emperor has sat immobile on the Golden Throne of Earth. He is the master of mankind by the will of the gods, and master of a million worlds by the might of his inexhaustible armies. He is a rotting carcass writing invisibly with power from the Dark Age of Technology. He is the Carrion Lord of the Imperium for whom a thousand souls are sacrificed every day, so that he may never truly die.

Yet in his deathless state, the Emperor continues his eternal vigilance. Mighty battlefleets cross the daemon-infested miasma of the warp, the only route between distant stars, their way lit by the Astronomicon, the psychic manifestation of the Emperor’s will. Vast armies give battle in his name on uncounted worlds. Greatest amongst his soldiers are the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines, bio-engineered super-warriors. Their comrades in arms are legion: the countless Imperial Guard, the ever-vigilant Inquisition and the Tech-Priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus, to name but a few. But for all their multitudes, they are barely enough to hold off the ever-present threat from aliens, heretics, mutants—and worse.

To be a man in such times is to be one amongst untold billions. It is to live in the cruelest and most bloody regime imaginable.

Yet there are those who rise above those teeming masses, rejecting the conformity and servile nature of mankind.

The ignorant call them traitors, heretics, and the damned, but they know themselves as the Disciples of the Dark Gods.

I've tried running assorted 40k games before, using the regular system rules, but they never seem to do that well. This time I want to try something a bit different.

I'm aiming for rules light / mostly freeform, swiping a couple of ideas from other systems to help define characters, and to add a cinematic twist (I hope), as well as a single d8 roll for the Eye of the Gods (aka random chance).

To test this out I'm thinking of running a short, pre made adventure such as Broken Chains. If the idea works out ok, and a group gels together, I have the Hand of Corruption campaign book as well.

So ... are there any out there who would cast off the chains of the Carrion God, or stand forth as veterans of the Long War?

Immortality .. or oblivion .. await.

Character concepts:
Kythia - Ex Imperial Guard (Tz)
AndyZ - Discussing concepts via PM
Winterborn - Alpha Legionaire (Undivided)
LuciusLeche - Disgraced Sororitas (Repentia) / Excommunicatus Traitorus Radical Inquisitor / Rogue Trader
Baalborn87 - Heretek Dark Mechanicus
SatanKlaus - Disgraced Noble (Sla)
Terian - Mechanicus experimental combat unit
Kevben Battleheart - Discussing concepts via PM
Chaos - Corrupted Sororitas

OOC thread

Prologue thread

Main Game thread

[Roxy Rocket]

      Huh, never seen a game run from the side of evil.

      Roxy be a curious.

[Xanthaine]

Feel the power of my mighty interest! Granted my lore knowledge is pretty sketchy on most warhammer (I collected necrons and literally only knew them and that was a couple of updates and retcons ago) so I may need to bone up on my knowledge.

[HairyHeretic]

I've been playing for as long as there has been a 40k, so any questions, feel free to ask :)

[Kythia]

Colour me tentatively interested.  I read the Ciaphas Cain books and really enjoyed them, but that's the limit of my lore knowledge.  If you have limited places then feel free to kick me if someone better comes along.  Tentatively interested with confirmation to follow.

Essentially just posting so I can keep an eye on the thread.

[AndyZ]

Bookmarking this, but of the meager portions I know of 40k, the Warp holds the least of my understanding.  I'd need to know more about my options, though with freeform, I'm quite apt to come up with something when I have a feel for things.

[HairyHeretic]

The existing Black Crusade archtypes would do nicely for starter templates, but anything suitable ought to be ok.

I've to hit the hay now, but I'll post more details after work tomorrow.

[BenedictWolfe]

With the risk of sounding slightly dense: What will the game be about? Will we actually be partaking of a Black Crusade? Are we playing Chaos Marines or some other type of Chaos aligned force?

Tentatively interested.

[selfexiled]

While I've been hoping for a solid 40k game in here for a while now I tend to be an Imperium of Man player instead of the warp tainted scoins of the heresy. That being said, I do not view the Emperor as a God like many would. So I might be a little on the fence in that respect.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Color me interested.

[azzmeister89]

I would be interested if it was possible to have players on the side of mankind too seeing as then i could play as a grey knight or spacewolf

[LuciusLeche]

interested, interested, interested, and with many a concept too. I think the last time we spoke was about Dark Heresy too, Hairy, so I've been looking forward to a chance to game with you for awhile now!

[HairyHeretic]

Ok, to hopefully answer a few questions ...

First up, it won't be possible to play a loyal servant of the Imperium. Sorry folks, but I just don't see how the two can gel together without someones character getting killed. The closest I could see would be a neutral, someone like a pirate or criminal perhaps, who isn't technically a follower of Chaos, but isn't going to seek to exterminatus them at first chance either. Something like a Dark Eldar might be doable, but not a Throne agent. Sorry.

What the game will be about ... that's a little more up in the air. I do have scenarios that I can use, and indeed intend to use to start things up. If the players want to drive the game forwards, I can probably accommodate that too. We need minions .. let's take over the pirate vessel 'Atterete Dominatum'. I want to construct a daemon weapon .. cool, let's find the true name of a daemon, forge a suitable blade, research the binding ritual, then slaughter 1000 slaves to bring the favor of the Gods. If the PCs have goals they want to achieve, those will be the adventures.

To start with, since this is something of an experiment, I plan to use the FFG intro adventure Broken Chains. If it works, we go on from there, and if we play long enough, yes, a Black Crusade could be the eventual campaign goal.

In terms of characters, think about the 40k background, lore and fiction, and the assorted followers of Chaos. Chaos Space Marines, veterans of the Long War, those who fought alongside the Warmaster and scorched the Imperial Palace. Renegade marines of a more recent vintage. Rogue Traders turned pirate warlord. Psychers. Cult members and leaders. Heretek Dark Mechanicus.  Traitor Guard. Daemonhosts. A fallen Inquisitor. There are a myriad of possibilities.

Chaos Space Marines make wonderful armour plated killing machines, but they may not be quite so useful at deciphering that book of forbidden rituals, or infiltrating the Hive Spire in establish a cult. There can be roles for everyone, and I try to tailor my games so everyone gets their moment in the spotlight.

Now, in terms of rules, as I said it's going to be mostly freeform. I will be swiping a few ideas from games to add what I hope will be guidelines and a cinematic feel.

First up, each character will have a number of Aspects, swiped from the FATE systems (for those who know them). These are there partially to help flesh out and define the characters.

For example, my Night Lords space marine could have the following aspects.

Son of the sunless world - As a Night Lords marine, he can see in the dark far better than most. He has a talent for stealth, ambush and terror tactics. It also means he will favor a slow approach, to give time for terror attacks (preferably against helpless targets) to build an atmosphere.

Veteran of the Long War - He has fought against the Imperium for thousands of years. He has been many places, and made many friends .. and just as many enemies.

Aspects could be people you know, gear, contacts, personality traits, anything that could be used to give the character life, and generate adventure.

And before anyone asks, your own Repulsive Class Grand Cruiser is not an acceptable aspect.  :P

Knowing the location of an abandoned and almost intact one does make for a great story seed though. It would make for a wonderful base of operations. If it's still there. And you can find enough resources to reactivate it. And someone else doesn't decide it will make an even better base for them  >:)

Aspects are most useful when they're a two edged sword, something that can both give you a benefit, or cause you problems. When I, as the GM, get to use them to cause you problems, you get a Plot Point.

Plot points can be used for the cinematic moments. Using one gives you a boost for whatever you want to do. Make that impossible shot. Stumble across the hidden latch that opens the secret door when you bang your hand on the wall in frustration. Discover that the that mysterious pirate you need to sway to your cause is actually someone you know. Mother? Is that you?

You get the idea. If you use them in conjunction with an aspect, you'll get a further bonus.

As it's mostly freeform though, we want to go with the rule of cool. If it advances the story, and you're not being an absolute Munchkin, it's good. The Chaos Marine with the heavy bolter ought to be able to gun down an entire squad of Guardsmen with a sustained burst. If he is trying to take out the Lightning fighter bearing down on the group with his last remaining missile, well, that's the point we want to make a roll.

And maybe consider the spending of a plot point too :)

The Eye of the Gods (my trusty d8 here) will determine how well you do.
1-2: Wrath of the Gods - Things ... don't work out so well
3-4: The Gods gaze is elsewhere .. neutral result. Work with it.
5-7: You please the Gods ... what you try works
8: Favour of the Gods ... you're rewarded with an exceptionally good result.

Trying something that plays to your patron power will get a +1 (the warrior of Khorne engaging a dreadnought with a meltabomb). Trying something that would offend the power gets you a -1 (that same warrior of Khorne trying to talk their way out of a fight). If a post is exceptionally well written, that may gain a +1 at my discretion. The Chaos Gods can be fickle that way ;)

Now, aside from me sending trouble your way with the aspects, the other way to earn plot points is to impress the hell out of the group. An extremely well written post. A line that cracks everyone up. Something that makes the other people go "Ok, that was cool." They nominate you for a plot point. If it's judged worthy, you get the plot point.

I don't plan on being too miserly with these, as they can be used to provide those cinematic moments, but at the same time I wouldn't give them out like candy either. Using them a few times in each scenario is probably a good rule of thumb. Think of the 40k fiction you've read. It has cool moments, but not every other page.

So ... does that help any?

[Lidian]

Oh man! Count me as super interested!

[Kythia]

It does.  And upgrades my interest from tentative to definite, if you'll have me.  Have also been boing *giggles* up on the setting a little more.  Currently thinking a former Guardsman (-woman) now loyal to Tzeentch.

[Winterborn]

I really shouldn't. I mean, I really should not... But it's 40K, and Black Crusade no less... I mustn't...

But I shall! Put me down as interested, I can't pass it up! I'mma get my Khornate RAEGFACE on.

Concepts: I'm seeing a Forsaken of the Alpha Legion, or possibly a similar sort of renegade from a more recent time. Might be an advanced scout and infiltrator for an attack on the Imperium, laying the groundwork by fomenting cults and rebellion while simultaneously using them to collect information on sector defenses and weaknesses. His reason for joining the warband would be a recognition of their talents, and a belief that by helping them sow destruction and confusion within the Imperium, he is helping his own cause.

[Baalborn87]

I'm very interested. I have the Black Crusade rulebook. Also the two supplements. Is it Ok if I take a character out of one of them? *cough* Tzeentch! *cough*

[HairyHeretic]

Using any of the 40k books for background or character ideas is fine. As we're going mostly freeform, stats, talents and so on aren't a concern. They will provide good ideas for characters and gear though.

[Baalborn87]

SQUEEEE!.............I mean "Death to the Corpse Emperor!"

[LuciusLeche]

probably too soon, but I see other people are already dedicating themselves to specific gods so I figure I'd better throw down my weirder concepts now and be told no early on so I can make something more suitable sooner.

Top three for your perusal, Dear hairy:

- (Counts-as Tzeentch oriented space marine) An excommunicated sister, possibly a former repentia, that showed signs of living sainthood. Her defiance of the Ecclisarchy's wishes lead to her attempted assassination and her being stricken from Imperial record and shamed. Left with almost no one to turn to it would be a crisis of faith to be a renegade and not quite a heretic. There would be no burning or attacking of other players in fact unless directly threatened or in need of it there may be a degree of passificm there as she tries to understand what her god has in store for her being cast out amongst all the others in the church call filth. If I remember the progression in the books, the characters work toward Daemonhood yes? this might be a chance to work toward actual sainthood, playing off powers of the gods as either Naivete or they actually being the blessing of the chaos gods and she too stubborn to realize she is slowly being corrupted?

- A Malal/sons of malice themed fallen inquisitor determined that the only way to save the Imperium is to destroy it and will actively work against all he served in the belief that he is still serving it, albiet next to deamons and other heretics. Sort of a more militantly active Colonel Walter Kurtz from Apocalypse Now.

-Khorne/slaanesh based, Marquis de Sade like Rogue Trader noble long gone mad with the obsession of youth and vigor ready to ascend to higher levels of what his gods demand and to sponser those who share his tastes and other 'philanthropy' read: the other PC's.

Those are my top three as of now, if you see any conflicts or would like me to clarify anything I'll be more than happy to come up with more. I have a ton of concepts past these too so I won't get all whiny if I'm told no or anything.

[HairyHeretic]

A little info I ought to provide before people get too far along with character concepts ...

The intro scenario, Broken Chains, starts with the players captured by the Inquisition.

You are heretics.

Condemned by the God-Emperor for your crimes and sentenced to imprisonment, torture and eventually death by the Inquisition. Though your crimes are varied, you share a similar fate, having been hunted down and captured by agents of the Imperium and incarcerated aboard the Chains of Judgement, a prison barge on a course for the core worlds of the Calixis Sector and its capital Scintilla, where the dungeons of the Tricorn Palace await you. Befitting your nature as dangerous criminals, you were placed in stasis, held in a state of limbo to ride out the journey, powerless to change your fate. Now you have awoken, the feeble lights of the stasis crypt greeting you as you stumble from your casket. Strangely though, no leering guards or armoured troopers stand waiting with manacles ready.

Looking around you see others like yourself emerge from their own caskets. You also note the walls and floor are thick with dust and age. You cannot help but wonder; just how long have you slumbered, and what has happened in that time?

I won't say that you don't know each other, as I prefer not to impose too many restrictions on characters, but it's unlikely. You may know of each other, at least by reputation, in some cases. You're also going to be someone who was worth taking alive (for a time at least), so you're a cut above the normal shoot-out-of-hand dregs. The Imperium wanted your secrets, or for your death to be a public spectacle. Keep that in mind when coming up with ideas.

Kythia .. former IG works nicely. Are you thinking a regimental officer, or someone less important?

Winterborn - Alpha Legion works well. Let me guess .. you're Alpharius, right? ;) Joining the warband will initially be a matter of survival, other motivations can come in time.

LuciusLeche - The Sister would probably work nicely. Taken on charges of Heresy, set for a messy public trial. Malal is pretty much unknown by most 40k players, but I seem to recall there is a faction of the Inquisition that would work nicely for you. A Radical, of the Recongregationism / Istvaanism philosophy, declared Excommunicatus Traitorus by others of the Ordos. Your noble sounds more Slaaneshi than Khornate, but that works fine too.

[Kythia]

I was thinking sergeant/NCO level.  I was actually thinking she was part of some wider cult within the guard at large or possibly just within the regiment (Id like to make up my own regiment if that's cool?).  Seems to fit in nicely with the "taken alive" thing.  The inqiusition need names.

[Kevben Battleheart]

Color me intrested. I always wanted to play in a game run by Hairy, but seeing as how many people are showing intrest, I will willingly bow out.

[Baalborn87]

I have a couple of ideas i'd like to do.

1) Thousand son's Sorcerer (with rubric marine minion) sent on a quest by Magnus to find a possible reversal to the rubric of Ahriman. He would have a particular hatred for Spacewolves

2) Khornite blood cult assassin. Sniper with explosive tipped ammo (amputator rounds).

3) Disillusioned Heretek. Who believes that the only true "natural" progression for machine spirits is true sentience...or deamonic possession, same difference.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Trying to rack my brain for ideas.  Everyone else has such great ones.

[Baalborn87]

If you see one of mine you'd like, feel free. I'm happy with any of the ones I came up with.

[HairyHeretic]

I was thinking sergeant/NCO level.  I was actually thinking she was part of some wider cult within the guard at large or possibly just within the regiment (Id like to make up my own regiment if that's cool?).  Seems to fit in nicely with the "taken alive" thing.  The inqiusition need names.

That sounds ok to me.

Color me intrested. I always wanted to play in a game run by Hairy, but seeing as how many people are showing intrest, I will willingly bow out.

You can always wait and see how many decide to take interest through to actual play :)

I have a couple of ideas i'd like to do.

1) Thousand son's Sorcerer (with rubric marine minion) sent on a quest by Magnus to find a possible reversal to the rubric of Ahriman. He would have a particular hatred for Spacewolves

2) Khornite blood cult assassin. Sniper with explosive tipped ammo (amputator rounds).

3) Disillusioned Heretek. Who believes that the only true "natural" progression for machine spirits is true sentience...or deamonic possession, same difference.

The Rubric Marine minion might be a bit tricky to work in, given the starting conditions of the scenario.

The assassin ... would they be a freelancer, or working with a particular cult?

The Heretek sounds good.

[Terian]

So, Freeform Black Crusade?

...  Might be interesting, I'll go work on something fitting.

Since the game's mostly freeform, do we have to sit on the game's normal rules, or can we have fancy gear right out the gate since everything's basically abstracted anyway?

[SatanKlaus]

I'm very interested in this and well-versed in the 'verse of 40k.

Before I make a character concept, what kind of roleplay will this be:
Is this meant to be more classical roleplay with mostly combat&riddles or mroe modern horror, insanity and inner demons?
What is the smut factor going to be like? Is rape, seduction, slavery and depravity going to be a central focus or is it just something the Noise Marine does on the side to relax while his companions slaughter a thousand innocents to bath in their blood or unearth ancient, forbidden artifacts while cackling with mad glee?

Satan_Klaus

[HairyHeretic]

Since the game's mostly freeform, do we have to sit on the game's normal rules, or can we have fancy gear right out the gate since everything's basically abstracted anyway?

Technically yes, but I figured to start with players would use aspects for any really special gear. Plus the starting scenario has them captured by the Inquisition, so they're likely to have lost most of their toys.

I will want to approve anything that would be rare though.

I'm very interested in this and well-versed in the 'verse of 40k.

Before I make a character concept, what kind of roleplay will this be:
Is this meant to be more classical roleplay with mostly combat&riddles or mroe modern horror, insanity and inner demons?
What is the smut factor going to be like? Is rape, seduction, slavery and depravity going to be a central focus or is it just something the Noise Marine does on the side to relax while his companions slaughter a thousand innocents to bath in their blood or unearth ancient, forbidden artifacts while cackling with mad glee?

I think 40k tends to lend itself better to, as you have described it, the classical roleplay style. The first scenario certainly would fall into that catagory, but how things go from there ... well, I'd like to see the players drive the plots.

Sex may happen, but I don't necessarily see it as central theme for anyone other than the Slaaneshi devotees. Seduction could certainly be a means to an end, depending on a given scenario. Most Marines probably aren't going to care about sex for that matter, probably not the Heretek Mechanicus either, so its more going to be the province of the still human heretics.

[SatanKlaus]

Salazar Ibrahim Theodore Bartolomeus Vamos, Duke of Winsbruck and prince of Guttenberg
is the eldest son of Torgen of Guttenberg, head of the ruling house of Amnarg, a prosperous mid-rim planet. Born to immense wealth and luxuries far beyond the wildest dreams of any except the highest echelons of Imperial society, Salazar spent his youth surrounded by artificial gardens, perched high atop a mile-high spire that lifted it beyond the fog of industry and even the weather itself. No cloud could darken the paradise where Salazar played with his highborn siblings and, as he grew to be a man, hand-picked courtesans. His parties were legendary in their opulence and decadence and the scions of noble houses killed for an invite – quite literally on more than one occasion. Fathers tried to keep their lovely and noble daughters pure and away from him, but like moths to the fire, they swarmed and adored him even as he cast one after the other aside, used, humiliated and heartbroken.

Finally, his exploits of questionable nature were enough to catch the interest and ire of the ecclesiarchy who started preaching openly against his evils. His father, quite fed up with his insane spending orgies and the shame he brought on the family name finally agreed to have him disowned and given over to the tender mercies of the inquisition, washing his hands of his oldest child and the suspicion of heresy off of his family name. Salazar was stripped of his lands and titles, his fine clothes and fancy toys, his courtesans and servants and given over to the dogs of the corpse emperor.

When he was put in the stasis chamber aboard the Chains of Judgement, he was not a heretic…not yet. But a hunger burned in his stomach, an insatiable greed for what was taken from him: the luxuries, the power, the women. A barely containable rage welled up in his heart and an insane hatred for those who took it consumed him and brushed away two decades of indoctrination with the Imperial Creed.

His last word before the tech-priests froze him in stasis was a howl of rage, eery and otherworldly in its pain and torment, the emptiness inside that he could never fill finally bursting out of him...and inviting something in.



As Salazar stepped from his stasis pod and licked his lips, tasting the stale air of the prison ship with his long, prehensile tongue that now sprouted from his mouth, he knew that he would have it all back: the wealth, the power, the luxuries, the women. Even his birthright: Amnarg! Lord Slaneesh had promised it in the long sleep between the stars, between the worlds. The sweet promises were still ringing in Salazar's ears, his thoughts obsessing about every little detail that his foggy mind could barely remember.

As he flexed his stiff limbs from the aeon-long sleep, he could feel the grace and strength that had been bestowed on him. Yes, Salazar nodded. He would have it all back: the wealth, the power, the women, the planet…and more. Infinitely more.

[SatanKlaus]

Is that acceptable as a character proposal?

Satan_Klaus

[HairyHeretic]

Yep, I think we can work with that. I have a couple of ideas that we could possibly refine it with, but they're relatively minor. I'll PM you with them.

I'll also edit the first post with a list of the concepts people are working on.

[Kythia]

Is this alright?  Wasn't sure how many aspects but figured I'd make a start on them and then add/remove later.

Sgt. Kanya Dasliss - 2nd Hrithian Infantry

http://i.imgur.com/ib689yL.png?1

Kanya was born on Hrith, a long settled world and the only one orbiting its sun.  The remainder of the system is a series of asteroid belts where gravitational forces have ripped apart rocky planets.  Its these belts that give Hrith its use to the Emperor - mining colonies abound throughout them and the planet as a whole serves as little more than a maintenance bay and restocking centre for the mining operation.  Due to the dangerous conditions out there, turnover of personnel is high and so the world has a relatively small levy for the guard.  Through longstanding tradition it levies every thirty second child who reaches their sixteenth birthday - a system which has the advantage of being unfair to everyone equally, a distinction Kanya managed to meet.

The Hrithian regiments excel at boarding missions and it she has always suspected that it was during the clearing out of a Space Hulk that her lieutenant became somehow corrupted.  He never confirmed for sure though.  But over time his morale pep talks began to change.  Everything was part of a wider scheme, dreamt up by master planners.  It was an uncommon view of the Emperor and probably heretical on that alone.  But he didn't stop there.  Apparently even the Imperium was just a minor gambit in the schemes of something much larger.  Ironically, Kanya was seduced to Chaos by a desire for order.

She soon found herself in more and more secret pep talks and didn't at first realise she had become a cultist - she'd never heard the term "Changer of Ways" before and didn't know to connect it to Tzeentch.  When she found out, she was already sold on the philosophy.  The cult met in secret, seemingly always bigger than she had imagined, and worked on her fellow soldiers to hopefully eventually present Tzeentch with a full regiment.  Whether that would have succeeded or not she'll never know, an inquisitor cut down several of the cult and she was knocked unconscious by a nearby frag grenade.

Aspects:

T-Shits and Flashlights  Kanya knows how to use all standard Imperial Guard ordinance - even being able to drive some of the vehicles as a result of various training courses.

Dasliss, K, Sergeant, 48396395e763  The administration works slow.  Kanya is still a member of the Imperial Guard - even drawing a wage - with all the rights and responsibilities of her rank.

Worlds spanning cultKanya knows names of cultists throught the sector - not necessarily their real ones of course, but at least how to contact her.  Of course, they know the same about her meaning she has many potential routes to be betrayed.

Just as planned Everything is going according to Tzeentch's scheme, by definition.  If he plans for her to die, she will.  If he plans for her to live, she will.  A sangiune attitude that's left her pretty much immune to fear.

[HairyHeretic]

That sounds fine. We can tweak aspects as we work things along. As long as you have the main character idea, that's all you really need to get started.

[selfexiled]

Well I'd rather play a imperium man but I really want to dig into a 40k game, soo. I'll have to work on a character over the weekend. I'll have to lean towards a Tzeentch loyalty, as among the choas he truelly is the most powerful, and presistant.

[Terian]

Hyperia Tertium


Hyperia is a prime example of what happens when genius beyond all sense and reason is crushed under the weight of conservatism and fanaticism--while consequently a cautionary note about the dangers of Tech being allowed to run rampant and uncontrolled.  The Hyperion Project was the brainchild of Arch Magos Loricus, a brilliant Armourer and master Genetor, along with a number of other esoteric disciplines that interlocked well together.  The premise was simple--The Imperium was dying--the Astartes were limited in number, difficult to control, and prone to falling to Chaos despite their prized "Resistance".  The technology existed to replace them, it was simply hoarded by a number of reactionary Magi, and few were willing to let go of their secrets, for any cause.

The solution?  Collect the scraps of knowledge available, run a test program, and when the time was right, and the concept proven--release his masterwork.  Simple, at least in theory.  He put his Fiefdom to work--collecting genetic data across many sectors--devising the secrets of mighty technologies, and funnelling the wealth and favors earned over a thousand years of service to complete his masterwork.  Three children were born of his genetic projects--Primus, Secundus, and Tertium--each devised of samples from the wisest and mightiest men and women he could reach.  They were trained in the arts of warfare from an early age, infused with mighty bionics and tech-sorcery as their bodies grew.  And each gifted with a panoply of wargear that even the greatest of the Astartes would envy.

And then the Inquisition descended upon him--betrayed by his allies, who grew fearful of his work.  For such could lead only to doom.

Primus and Secundus--her brothers, were the first to battle--and slain by the kill-teams and throne agents that lead this strike.  Tertium wasn't nearly so fortunate--she was arranging the evacuation of the remainder of the facility when the other end of the trap was sprung--and she was captured and imprisoned for "Future Interrogation"

Obviously, the slight young woman was no real threat, and may know of the depths of the heresies that had been sprung--surely she could not be a threat?  Right?

Aspects:

UNDER REVISION

Walking Apocalypse  Hyperia was never designed for anything but absolute destruction, and this shows in her style of battle.  Specializing in heavy ordinance and line-breaking--her tactical flexibility is pretty limited, and may the gods help anyone who thinks she'd be useful in a stealth mission--but there's little short of a squad that can bring her down in a straight fight.

Cyborg:  The secrets of the Dark Age of Technology live on within Hyperia--her limbs have been replaced with cybernetic equivalents--within her blood rests great healing technologies, and her mind is capable of making great use of her advanced armaments.  Consequently, this also makes her somewhat vulnerable to weapons and tactics that effect machines, and she'll never be a Psyker under any circumstances--though given how her physical abilities approach the perfection of the Space Marines, this isn't necessarily a poor trade-off.

Sheltered:  The Hyperion Project was never meant to actually be involved in the galaxy at large, and the fine details of history and social affairs largely go over her head.  About as blunt as a sledgehammer to the face, and she's largely incapable of understanding how appealing to warp powers is ever a good thing, limiting her ability to participate in rituals and other acts of Sorcery.

Immaculate Wargear: Though her own personal abilities are significant, Hyperia's true strength comes with the vast tech-sorceries used to arm her, primarily in the form of a suit of advanced Power Armour adapted to her physiology and implants, and the high-velocity autocannon that comes with it.

[Winterborn]

Harbinger Antillus Tacitus

A recruit of the post-Heresy days of the Legion, Tacitus was never able to attain the same level of camaraderie shared between those who had lived and died together during the great civil war of the Imperium. That is not to say that he was unable to earn the trust of his superiors, who frequently sent him abroad to undertake numerous forays into Imperial space, collecting data and artifacts necessary to the greater plan.

Tasked with an operation to foment rebellion and seed a number of sympathetic cults and other organizations amongst the citizenry, Alpha Legionnaire Antillus Tacitus was known to his contacts and hunters alike under the moniker 'Harbinger'. Though his mission was a success in every way, including local members of the Guard and Navy as well as the Administratum, it eventually grew too ambitious, becoming so large and well-woven that Throne agents began to be able to follow a single thread in the pattern back to his own lair in the dark space of the sector. He managed to destroy all evidence which might lead them to the rest of his organization, but in so doing allowed himself to be captured alive.

Aspects:

Veteran Legionnaire: Though not as ancient as his brothers who marched under the Emperor's banner, Harbinger is old by any mortal estimation. He has fought in dozens of campaigns against nearly any foe imaginable, enough to learn a modicum of their strengths and weaknesses. By the same token, he is experienced with every form of weapon used by Legion and Imperial forces.

Manipulator: Though his last mission proved to be his downfall, it remains clear that Harbinger is an excellent manipulator and organizer of mortal minds. With a little time and effort, he is capable of focusing the needs and desires of the many into a single cohesive force, driven towards one objective. On a smaller scale, he is able to guide the actions of an individual with a careful suggestion here, a quiet observation there...

Youth is Relative: Though older than many might be able to believe, compared to the majority of Traitor Legionnaires he is quite young. Not only does this make him a junior to nearly any Chaos Space Marine he might run across purely on seniority, but his armor does not bear the adornments favored by servants of Chaos. In the confusion of pitched battle, some might even confuse the muted blue and green of his plain armor for that of a Loyalist Chapter.

Lonely Heart: As a Marine most usually sent out as a lone operative, Harbinger secretly hungers for the companionship of his mental and physical peers. He respects those who can hold their own in a fight or a debate equally, and is likely to take action to ensure that any member of the compact who he legitimately respects stays alive and functional. This is not an idea he would willingly voice, but one which his actions might make clear under the right circumstances.

Under Construction

[Red Offerings]

Would you be willing to allow an off-shoot for Dark Eldar?

[Baalborn87]

-INCOMING DATA TRANSMISSION-
-FAO: LORD INQUISITOR BARTROM (ORDO HERETICUS)-
-SENDER: FABRICATOR GENERAL ALTO. ADEPTUS MECHANICUM. CALIXIS SECTOR-
-CONTENTS: DETAILS OF "MAGOS" THULE (EXCOMUNICATE TRATORIS)-
-REQUIREMENT: PERSECUTION AND CAPTURE OF THULE IF POSSIBLE. EXECUTION IF NOT-
-THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A questioning servant is more dangerous than an ignorant heretic

NAME: Magos Thule (EXCOMMUNICATE TRATORIS)
AGE: Speculative (ESTIMATED 1.5 CENTURIES TERRAN MINIMUM)
GENDER: Male (Speculative)
KNOWN CYBERNETICS: Respiratory Upgrade. Cranial Implant (Including MIU Interface). Optical Implant. Arm and Hand Cyeberinetic (Right, with built in Multi-tool). Manipulator Mechendrite (Slight Combat ability. WARNING: Power output allows strength enough to crack blessed Ceremite). Internal Power reserves (CLASSIFIED). Torso adaptation allowing las weapons a near unlimited charge and removing the need to reload (provided they are connected).
PICT:
HISTORICAL DETAILS: Records state that Magos Thule (hereafter referred to as traitor Thule) was a promising fabricatior on one of the many Forge worlds that make up the Lathe Worlds stationed there for some time (Records conflict, but are estimated to be decades). In charge of a factorum producing Servitors for the use of the holy works of the Omnissiah. Majority of export comprised of combat models dispatched to (CLASSIFIED).
Observations of Magos' working alongside Traitor Thule state that Thule made frequent observations on the intelligence and logic matricese of servitors. Also states that Thule proceeded with work to increase the limitations placed on Servitor subjects . Criminals condemned to be upgraded provided by (CLASSIFIED). This bordered dangerously on sentience which has been banned under extremis by the, Fabricator General Of Mars. Thules subsequent fascination developed into an obsession. Producing a number of fully sentient Servitors and even machines (may the Omnissiah be merciful on their tortured souls). Upon discovery the effected machines and servitors were destroyed whilst reciting the holy rites of apesement and Thule was declared traitor and ordered to return to the Fabricator General of the Calaxis Sector for judgement. Upon failure to respond and unable to be located in the sector, Thule was declared excomunicate tratoris in his absence.
Possible sightings of Thule around an area known a the Screaming Vortex (citation needed) in recent decades suggest that Thule has thrown in his lot with renegades and traitors. What has happened in Thules absence can only be speculated at. But evidence suggests that research in the arcane and prohibited. Including possession (May the justice of the Omnissiah find Thule swiftly) have occurred.

May the Omnissiah bless your weapons and armour on this holy endevour

-TRANSMISSION ENDS-

ASPECTS (under edit)

The ends Justify the means
Thule believes that the only important thing is results. As such, he views allies as a means to an end. He will not go out of his way to aid an ally if it means distracting from
the mission at hand. He also will never end up subject to fear should an ally die or become seriously injured.

Idle Hands are the Devils playthings.
Thule, as with most of his kind is subject to an almost compunction to tinker and endlessly improve. As a result should Thule consciously go for more than 3 days without at least dismantling and rebuilding something, he becomes edgy and distracted and even violent. This also has the benefit that Thule is quite adept at "improving" items and equipment for himself and allies (improving the sights on a rifle, changing the power flow of energy weapons to improve damage/shot capacity or servos in power armour to improve agility).

[HairyHeretic]

Would you be willing to allow an off-shoot for Dark Eldar?

I think a Dark Eldar could work, though to a degree it would depend on the concept. What do you have in mind?

[HairyHeretic]

And our Alpha Legionaire and Heretek Dark Mechanicus magos look well. I'll update the first post accordingly with the new characters.

Relatively fully fleshed out we now have
Kythia - Sgt. Kanya Dasliss, Ex Imperial Guard
Winterborn - Antillus Tacitus aka Harbinger, Alpha Legionaire
Baalborn87 - Magos Thule, Heretek Dark Mechanicus
SatanKlaus - Salazar Ibrahim Theodore Bartolomeus Vamos, Disgraced Noble
Terian - Hyperia Tertium, Mechanicus experimental combat unit

I've tagged a short description onto each character for convenience. If you'd like me to change it to something you feel more suitable, let me know :)

No sorcerers or psychers yet, but otherwise a reasonable mixture.

[Winterborn]

Would you mind switching Harbinger to (Undivided) please? My Khornate rageface comment was more of an OOC statement. Harbinger is the kind of guy who digs all the vagaries of life, be it death, war, beauty, or change.

[HairyHeretic]

Not a problem.

[Terian]

Group looks okay so far, if we can get a Psyker, we'll have most of the angles covered, and be ready to begin :)

[Winterborn]

Yeah, all these Tzeentchians and no psykers? What's up with that?

EDIT: Then again, I could do without the whole 'plague of raining blood' or Harbinger being turned inside out because stoopid warp-dabbler mispronounced an incantation.

[HairyHeretic]

It's all according to Tzeentchs plan, obviously ;)

[Red Offerings]

I think a Dark Eldar could work, though to a degree it would depend on the concept. What do you have in mind?

I'll PM you with some thoughts shortly if you don't mind.

[HairyHeretic]

That's fine.

[LuciusLeche]

oh geeze, everything's advancing so quickly. This is a bad time to try to be moving to a new apartment ;_; I'll get a write up in here as soon as I can

[HairyHeretic]

If you decide which character you want to use, we can have them there, just sort of lurking in the background til you're in and settled. Optionally, you get to bump into the others later on.

Does NC suit everyone ok for this? I don't see us initially being beyond that, but we can always move things later if need be.

For those who have already got their characters written up, how would you feel about a Prologue thread? This would be somewhere you can establish backstory, leading up to their capture by the Inquisition.

It will be kept separate from the main game thread, so you can continue to write in it at your leisure.

[Terian]

I'm okay with both

[Winterborn]

Ditto, sounds like a plan.

[Chaos]

If there is space for another player... I like the sound of this one, and would like to try it. I think my first game here was one of your 40k games, HairyHeretic, and I loved it though it didn't last all that long.

I've two concepts The primary one is a fallen Sororitas, though that may not fit with there already being one in play - or maybe the two different approaches would be fun to see together! If you don't like her but do have a free space, I'll put together the other idea.

Sister Felicity Corberg is a fallen battle sister, who was seduced by a psychic arch-heretic in custody of the Inquisition into helping him escape. Her year on the run with a Slaaneshi champion twisted her devotion to the corpse emperor into a devotion to him and his God instead, and when the Inquisition caught up, and he died in the fight against her former sisters, she found that she could not repent her sins. Not that it would have saved her, but repentance would have let her die quickly - instead, she was bound over for Inquisitorial interrogation and investigation.

She is confused, and a little lost without a hierarchy above her. She was a young Sister when taken from her Order, and doesn't really know how to function without someone telling her what to do. Part of the fun would be figuring out which other PC to follow, or her trying to work out what Slaanesh wants her to do...

Aspects: Battle Sister - Felicity is a highly trained soldier, skilled at fighting in all the ways a warrior of the Adeptas Sororitas should be, and in those bits of Imperial theology that a Sister needs (mostly a list of who needs to be burnt for the Emperor).

Beloved of Slaanesh - The seed of this was there before her year in the hands of a psychic champion of the god of sensations, but under his guidance it's flowered fully: she enjoys all kinds of sensation, pain and pleasure and pride and debasement are all different flavours of devotion to her god. That was perhaps why she took to the scourge so easily as a Sister, and it makes hurting her meaningfully quite difficult now, though distracting her can be easy.

Fresh-faced - outside of her power armour, she doesn't look like a heretic, or a battle-hardened warrior. She looks like an athletic young woman with a bright and cheerful smile. While she was on the run, this came in handy often enough, though being underestimated isn't always a good thing.

Organised by the Book - her training left her with a keen love of organisation, and a devotion to Slaanesh just means she's making different lists now. She keeps a neat track of everything, and makes careful plans, which may yet serve her well. She doesn't like having to go off-plan, though.

[SatanKlaus]

Does NC suit everyone ok for this? I don't see us initially being beyond that, but we can always move things later if need be.

I guess it depends on the level of smut we have but even if it is just combat, I think it would be safer to put it in 'extreme'.

Because We. Are. Chaos.

Our armor is impurity. Our method is obscurity. Our strength is ferocity. Our passion is depravity.

Our reward is immortality. 


I'm usually more at home in NC, too. But, seriously, we are Chaos. You can't be chaos without breaking some eggs. Or, as it were, you know...baby skulls.

At the very least - even if we were the 'good guys' in this universe - we would be wading knee deep in blood and gore, ramming our power fists deep into the bowels of our enemies and then twist them, cackling mad with glee as the entrails of our hated foes spewed all over the floor...and we are not the good guys.

Satan_Klaus

[HairyHeretic]

That's a fair point, but the majority of the concepts in Extreme tend to focus on the sexual elements of a story.

Yes, we are the forces of Chaos, but where we set the game is also going to be a factor in how we write. Is it going to be that much of a story limitation if you don't describe a torture scene in graphic detail? The 40k novels I've read seem to get the story across nicely without leaving their audience whimpering in a corner :)

I think we need to find out what everyone is comfortable with before pushing the gore level up to 11, you know? :)

[HairyHeretic]

If there is space for another player... I like the sound of this one, and would like to try it. I think my first game here was one of your 40k games, HairyHeretic, and I loved it though it didn't last all that long.

I think we can squeeze you in. Once the remaining characters people have been discussing with me are fleshed out, we'll probably be about our limit though.

At least to start with. We'll see how it goes after that.

I've two concepts The primary one is a fallen Sororitas, though that may not fit with there already being one in play - or maybe the two different approaches would be fun to see together! If you don't like her but do have a free space, I'll put together the other idea.

The other one isn't quite in play yet. In addition, it's a rather different concept, so I don't think that'd be a problem.

Sister Felicity Corberg is a fallen battle sister, who was seduced by a psychic arch-heretic in custody of the Inquisition into helping him escape. Her year on the run with a Slaaneshi champion twisted her devotion to the corpse emperor into a devotion to him and his God instead, and when the Inquisition caught up, and he died in the fight against her former sisters, she found that she could not repent her sins. Not that it would have saved her, but repentance would have let her die quickly - instead, she was bound over for Inquisitorial interrogation and investigation.

She is confused, and a little lost without a hierarchy above her. She was a young Sister when taken from her Order, and doesn't really know how to function without someone telling her what to do. Part of the fun would be figuring out which other PC to follow, or her trying to work out what Slaanesh wants her to do...

Aspects: Battle Sister - Felicity is a highly trained soldier, skilled at fighting in all the ways a warrior of the Adeptas Sororitas should be, and in those bits of Imperial theology that a Sister needs (mostly a list of who needs to be burnt for the Emperor).

Beloved of Slaanesh - The seed of this was there before her year in the hands of a psychic champion of the god of sensations, but under his guidance it's flowered fully: she enjoys all kinds of sensation, pain and pleasure and pride and debasement are all different flavours of devotion to her god. That was perhaps why she took to the scourge so easily as a Sister, and it makes hurting her meaningfully quite difficult now, though distracting her can be easy.

Fresh-faced - outside of her power armour, she doesn't look like a heretic, or a battle-hardened warrior. She looks like an athletic young woman with a bright and cheerful smile. While she was on the run, this came in handy often enough, though being underestimated isn't always a good thing.

Organised by the Book - her training left her with a keen love of organisation, and a devotion to Slaanesh just means she's making different lists now. She keeps a neat track of everything, and makes careful plans, which may yet serve her well. She doesn't like having to go off-plan, though.

That seems fine to me. I'll add her to the list.

[Chaos]

Excellent! Thank you.

[Terian]

Ehhh, here's the thing.

I don't mind my characters getting roughed up, or roughing up others--killing or being killed in turn, hell, I do some of my best writing in fight scenes, and I don't get too squeamish with the details.

Beyond that though, I generally don't go into more detail then I have to--Hyperia's almost completely non-sexual as a character, and while she can still enjoy people's company, she's not really bound by hormones or any urge to Do Horrible Things--the former because it's largely been replaced with tech to make her a better killing machine, the latter because it's wasteful.  I don't really see her indulging in any "Skulls for the Skull Throne" behaviour as a result of this.  She's working with Chaos because she hates the Imperium, not because she actually expects to gain from it and wants to impress the Gods.

[SatanKlaus]

That's a fair point, but the majority of the concepts in Extreme tend to focus on the sexual elements of a story.

Yes, we are the forces of Chaos, but where we set the game is also going to be a factor in how we write. Is it going to be that much of a story limitation if you don't describe a torture scene in graphic detail? The 40k novels I've read seem to get the story across nicely without leaving their audience whimpering in a corner :)

I think we need to find out what everyone is comfortable with before pushing the gore level up to 11, you know? :)

I don't want to scare anyone off or gross them out. Like I said, I'm usually more at home in NC myself. Just that 40k tends to be brutal and gory, even if you don't try especially hard to make it so. When they give you armor piercing, exploding rockets as ammunition for your sidearm and a sword that is actually a chainsaw, then you know that things will get messy.

Satan_Klaus

[HairyHeretic]

OOC and Prologue thread links added to the first post.

OOC thread

Prologue thread

Feel free to use either.

Yes, they're currently in NC, but we can always shift them later if need be.

[Terian]

Is there any posts coming from you in the prologue?

Also, most of our people are already in, does that mean we'll be starting the main thread soon?

[HairyHeretic]

The prologue is where you can write backstory of your character .. old scenes, past events, leading up to their capture by the Inquisition.

I put it in so people would have somewhere to write while we were still in the setup phase.

I think we have most people ready to start, so I'll probably open the main story thread in the next couple of hours.

[SatanKlaus]

Alright. Can I have the following aspects added to my character?



Mandate of Heaven
Salazar carries himself with the casual arrogance of an Imperial noble. Those of the lesser classes - born to a life of servitude to the likes of him – do his bidding without question. It is hard and unnatural for him to treat anyone as an equal, though.

The long-lost heir
There are still some nobles and commoners on Amnarg who, unsatisfied with the current rule, might rush to the banner of the prince in his attempt to take back what is rightfully his. Conversely, those in power on Amnarg will mark him as a priority target as soon as he resurfaces.

Silver tongue
Salazar’s tongue is not only long and split like a snake’s; Lord Slaanesh has also seen it fit to grant it the power of glibness. Compliments, promises, enticing whispers, even outrageous lies; all flow equally easy from his silver tongue. 

Grace
Salazar moves with the fluid ease of his patron god, tumbling over obstacles, anticipating his enemies’ movements and running circles around them. He can neither deal nor take a heavy blow, though.

Ladykiller
Even before he was blessed with the sweet, heady musk of the god of seduction, Salazar was quite the sensation amongst the ladies. Now, it is as hard for them to resist his allure, as it is for him to resist the temptation of a new conquest. 



And, unless there is a specific world that you want me associated with, I will just stick with Amnarg as Salazar's home world and place it in the general region of space that the play takes place in.

[HairyHeretic]

Updating now.

I have no world in mind, anything in the Calixus sector is fine.

[Baalborn87]

could you add this to mine as well please.

Idle Hands are the Devils playthings.
Thule, as with most of his kind is subject to an almost compunction to tinker and endlessly improve. As a result should Thule consciously go for more than 3 days without at least dismantling and rebuilding something, he becomes edgy and distracted and even violent. This also has the benefit that Thule is quite adept at "improving" items and equipment for himself and allies (improving the sights on a rifle, changing the power flow of energy weapons to improve damage/shot capacity or servos in power armour to improve agility).

[Kevben Battleheart]

Name: Helfist (formerly Kryl Aesvel)

Appearance:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Compressed History: Once Helfist was a member of the Vlka Fenryka, but that was many a years ago and he has long shed those constraining chains. At first he was still a little uncertain with what he was doing when he opened fire upon the very battle-brothers he fought alongside since his time as a bloodclaw, but as he then revoked his oath to Leman Russ and the Emperor and swore fealty to Huron, why he did so became obvious or at least he thought he knew at first; preservation. Fighting for the God-Emperor, there was no doubt that eventually he would have been laid low on some planet by an unknown enemy, or if he was lucky he could maybe be remembered in a saga of his own, but that wasn't what he desired. He wanted to live, to fight foes without worry of being slain himself.

With his other fellow defectors, Kryl gladly served alongside Huron for several decades upon the Wolf of Fenris before his mind began to come up with traitorous thoughts towards Huron. Why was he, a former son of Russ, serving someone as cowardly as Huron, who merely struck foes that could hardly defend themselves? Where was the sport in that? Slow, over the course of another decade, Kryl’s desires began to change from simple preservation into the desire to hunt and fight deadly foes. Reflecting now, he realized that he did a complete turnaround, but it didn't truly matter why it was that he did so. Defecting from Huron this time, Kryl managed to ‘convince’ a Rogue Trader to transport him to a far corner of the Imperium, with a lie about being able to protect him should Huron Blackheart decide to attack the mortal. This led to his eventual arrival of the Calix sector.

Once there he began to travel around the sector, seeking out foes of renown and planets deemed deadly, such as Fedrid or Dusk. He sought out ever increasingly dangerous creatures and foes to perfect his own fighting techniques when not lending his blade to a rising cult or warband, also changing his name to Helfist on account for how he liked to dispatch his foe with his own fists (gauntlets, power fists, etc,). It was during such a time, when a cult dedicated to the worship of Tzeentch, recruited him and others to aid in initializing a plot in the name of their god and they needed a little more muscle to get the job done. They landed upon Iocanthos, the reason why not mattering to him as he wanted merely to test his strength against whatever champion the foe would posses, but they instead found more than they bargained for. Though they had aimed to take down the home of the Opening Eye and take care of a few Sisters of Battle, The Abbey of the Dawn.

Arriving at the location, the followers of Tzeentch attacked and at the opening stages it would have seemed that they would easily win the fight, but the Sisters from the Order of the Ebon Chalice proved to be a tougher lot than first anticipated. They managed to hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive, in the from of Seth the Voice's army. Though ill equipped, Seth's impassioned speech's was all they needed to fight. Now besieged on two sides, the Chaos warband was doomed to being wiped out, but as the final clash came, Helfist was by the Warband's leader who merely said "All according to plan." before charging forth to meet his own end. Helfist found this odd, but then those aligned with Tzeentch were an odd bunch, and he himself strode into the fight only to be knocked out near the end of the fight by a terrible wound, even by a corrupted marines standard.

Unknown to him, his body was discovered to be still breathing, and in a rare moment, Palatine Rhiannon turned Helfist over to the Inquisition so that he may confess and then pay for the crimes he committed.


Aspects:

Son of Russ: Though he no longer serves Russ, genetically speaking he is still a Son of Russ. As such, his senses are sharper than most and he can be prone to bestial rages, possibly rivaling the fury of a Khorn Bezerker.

Defector: Helfist is about as loyal as a Dark Elder on a good day. He will willingly serve alongside anyone so long as he get's to face increasingly challenging and deadly opponents. However, should he feel that he is dealing with a subpar opponent, then he will not hesitate to leave his current master and join a new Warband.

Up Close and Personal: Even before he became a Red Corsair, Helfist was extremely proficient in melee combat and he feels that those utilize only ranged combat are weaklings, though he does understand their importance in certain circumstances. As such, Helfist possess no ranged weapons of his own and only uses close combat, and especially fist based weapons (power fists, chain fists, etc,).

Cover is for Cowards: When it comes to a fight Helfist prefers to be the first one in and scorns those who hides in cover, seeing it as an act of cowardice. He will gladly charge through any weapons fire to close with his foe, believing that his armor will see him through.

[Terian]

could you add this to mine as well please.

Idle Hands are the Devils playthings.
Thule, as with most of his kind is subject to an almost compunction to tinker and endlessly improve. As a result should Thule consciously go for more than 3 days without at least dismantling and rebuilding something, he becomes edgy and distracted and even violent. This also has the benefit that Thule is quite adept at "improving" items and equipment for himself and allies (improving the sights on a rifle, changing the power flow of energy weapons to improve damage/shot capacity or servos in power armour to improve agility).

You need to make Terminator Armour for me someday :(

Or at least mod something we capture so I can use it.

[Baalborn87]

You need to make Terminator Armour for me someday :(

Or at least mod something we capture so I can use it.

As the Dark Gods will it.

[LordMing]

I am very interested.  I am considering a fallen sister of battle if that's okay, just having trouble writing her story is all.

[Terian]

I am very interested.  I am considering a fallen sister of battle if that's okay, just having trouble writing her story is all.

Think we've got a bunch of those so far :(

Anyway, Hyperia's pretty destructive by nature, but I don't see her fitting in with any of the Chaos Gods in particular--she's pretty cleanly and not too interested in "Suffering makes you strong and cool!"  So Nurgle's no good.  She's killy like you wouldn't believe, but she doesn't believe in charging in head first and painting the walls with blood when she can just walk in with an autocannon and blow everything up, so Khorne isn't really likely either.  She's largely clueless about "Sensation" beyond the idea of a job well done (And that whole Machine Trait gets in the way of other approaches :P), so Slaanesh is no good, and she's completely incapable of Psychic Powers, and lacks the temperament to indulge in other sorceries

She's a Heretic mostly because her existence was rejected by the Imperium, and she'd really rather not submit to death.  Her advancement would likely be more on the lines of "Get better hardware" over more eldritch abilities.  Of course, there's always the chance of this changing, but she wouldn't be the one to Approach any given Chaos God either.

Ability wise...  She's reasonably capable of technological maintenence, but basically, she was designed as a prospective replacement to Astartes--Superhuman strength and durability, impressive self-repair, and solid equipment.  Less esoteric stuff like "Eat the Brains" and "Spit out Acid" of cours, but that's made up for with cybernetics.

Anyway!  Looking forward to the start of play~~

[HairyHeretic]

Main game thread is now up, and first post updated with link

Main game thread

[HairyHeretic]

I think I'm about at the limit of what I can handle right now LordMing. I have two other people are (I believe) working on characters, in addition to the 6 or 7 already complete.

You're welcome to keep an eye on the story threads, and if anyone announces they want to drop out, well, there's plenty of statis chambers can be popped open :)

[LuciusLeche]

I'll take that back burner position, Hairy. I'm about to pack up my desktop in a day or so for my move and depending on when I can get it all set up again it'll be a day or three till I can post anything. For the Record, I think I'll go with that Excommunicated Sister I had first posted about since it didn't get immediately turned down. Hopefully that doesn't step on the toes of The other Sister that posted a write-up before I got the chance too? I am thinking of going the Psyker route since it fits pretty well and the group seems to need one. (for all your Battle hardened power channeling goodness in a counts-as-chaos-space-marine-sorcerer package)

[HairyHeretic]

That sounds good. Her psychic powers were first thought to be Emperor sent miracles, but when it was discovered she was actually a witch, she gets excommunicated? Is that the sort of idea you're going with?

[HairyHeretic]

Recruitment reopened:

Oblivion has claimed some of our heretics before they have made their escape from the prison that holds them.

Do you have the strenght to walk the Eight Fold path?

Did you stand upon the shattered walls of the Emperors Palace and swear an eternal Oath of Moment, that the Long War would continue?

Do you hear the voices too?

Join us then, and tear down the Imperium of the Corpse God.

[Doomglazer]

om very intrested in this RP

[HairyHeretic]

Got anything in mind for a character?

[RedPhoenix]

So I am looking at this pretty hard. I do see there is a pretty heavy lean towards Slaanesh, which I don't mind at all. Any thoughts from current players as to what sort of character could round out the group?

[HairyHeretic]

Feel free to pop over to the OOC thread (link in the first post) if you want to chat with them.

[RedPhoenix]

I kinda get carried away when writing Chaosy stuff...consider this a rough draft very open to suggestions. :)

Selem Shal Shuldren, Favored Child of the Cyclone Walkers

Selem Shal was born in a world long lost to Chaos. Right on the edge of a massive warp storm, in a location that was persistently impossible to chart through acceptable astronavigation, her home planet meandered through it's wobbling orbit. Her world was heavy with liquid, what would be called high oceans on a normal planet, except it wasn't always water. Her people were nomads, like everything else that still walked on two legs on that world, who stubbornly refused to grow gills and swim to the murky depths of the liquid like those who heeded the croaking blasphemies of the Great Lurker.

Sometimes they used technology, jetting from one island to another as the tides chased them, sometimes they floated on makeshift rafts and boats, sometimes they found a land that stayed stable for years. During these times those who were born were considered lucky. Selem Shal was born on the landing that gave her people the longest period of stability they had known. For nearly eight years they dwelt on the earthy island, growing happy and lazy off of the rich fruits and flowers that blossomed there. Selem Shal was born mutated, as nearly everyone was on her world. Series of thick, short horns grew from her skull, mixing with her hair, and her fingernails and toenails were hard as steel, though deceptively normal in appearance. Even if she were able to hide her horns, her pointed ears and blood red eyes would have quickly given her away as a mutant.

As a lucky child, Selem Shal was raised by her people's mystics. She learned to harness the flow of the warp at a young age and tap the potential inside of her. She showed a peculiar talent for weather manipulation, which was seen as an even more auspicious blessing. She learned to devote herself to the Wind that Loves, the spirit that her people prayed to. Although she was one of the few who suspected that the Wind had more than one voice.

It was a vision of hers that made her people leave their cozy, comfortable island. They grumbled and moaned but without the protection of the mystics they would be lost and had little choice but to follow the tribe's leaders. They moved into the storm, not away from it, and the journey was hard. Demons and sea dwellers poached on the Walkers, attempted to dissuade their voyage. The people were killed off in great numbers, but slew great numbers of their foes as well. The journey was long and Selem Shal grew into a woman in the process. By the time they arrived, very few of her people remained. Her destination was a great temple that sunk into the sea, where the Wind That Loves whispered from. It whispered to her particularly, telling her what power there was to be gained from seizing control of her people. She listened. She plotted. She turned the shamans and mystics against each other with simple spells and flirtatious promises.

On the sunken altar deep below the surface, Selem Shal cancelled her protective spell that let the others of her people breathe the narcotic liquid that the ocean had been that year, and they drowned begging her for aid as she danced with the currents. She had heard the two voices of the Loving Wind and knew that both had much to offer. So she made an offer to them, the souls of her people. It was an offer gladly accepted. Secrets were shared with her, knowledge and power and blasphemous truths. Gathering her strengths and the souls of her people, reforged into demonic tools, she made holy war against the Lurkers, enslaving their diseased peoples to her will and assumed power on her world. Through series of manipulations and protective wardings, she maintained her position as Magus of her world.

But of course it did not last. The same whimsy that wobbled the world through the warp soon shot it out of the reach of the storm, and the world plunged like a meteor into Imperial space. She saw it coming, of course, and prepared her people for war. A Black Crusade was launched as her planet collided with an Imperial Hive World, and there was bloodshed the likes of which she had never seen before. The people were without number, her army only slight in comparison. She puzzled over why she had been sent to a war she could not hope to win, and saw in the Great Architect's plan she was meant to lose. She was meant to be captured, and taken for some great purpose. Or perhaps simply as a tool. It was not like she had much of a choice.

She abandoned her scattered army and assumed the identity of a local cultist who had helped guide the invasion force in, mutated in recognition of her loyalty. Devouring the mind of a local guardsman, she had the knowledge she needed to do this. She was captured of course, and nearly killed several times. Lucky break after lucky break saved her until she was sent into stasis. She knows not what her fate is to be, merely that the Wind That Loves has plans for her. She goes confidently to meet her fate.

[HairyHeretic]

Looks good. What sort of powers and abilities do you see her having?

[RedPhoenix]

Mostly Psyker stuff. Being able to influence people's emotions, make them paranoid, horny, maybe a telekinetic knockout? And of course hearing the whispers from the warp, forbidden knowledge, ritual magic, and that good stuff. :D

[Baalborn87]

She looks good.

[HairyHeretic]

Yep. Consider Selem's start much the same as the others, awakening in a half ruined stasis crypt. She can detect the others from the sound of that bolter fire nearby.

[Landshark]

Interested but curious as to the current group make up. You say people have been lost so wondering whats in the group now at this time?

[HairyHeretic]

A corrupted Sororita, a Heretek Dark Mechanicus, a traitor Guardswoman and a newly added psycher / sorceress.

[Baalborn87]

OP space marine is open........ we started with two

[Landshark]

Actually i was thinking of a choas Ogryn. Makes him a wrecking ball but still not as bad as an Angel of Death. Cant find a good pic of one thats not a plagued nasty thing anywhere though. Oh well ill just have to be discriptive should i make him...and if im accepted that is(please,please,please,please...)

[HairyHeretic]

Ogyrns tend not to be noted for their intelligence and personality though. Are you thinking of playing him as a typical simple minded wrecking ball, or would he be capable of using words with more than one syllable? :) I'm not trying to be harsh, but if he can't interact much with the rest of the group, you may not have that much fun with him as a character, you know?

Also, what would have been the reason the Inquisition kept him alive? What makes him special?

[Landshark]

He is more intelligent than a basic Ogryn, gifted (minorly) with talents toward influencing animal behavior. He can make a raging beast calm and vice versa. As a former beast keeper of The Beast House they stopped short of killing him in hopes that he could be mind probed to reveal detailed information about the organisation. 

I fully understand if you dont feel he would be a proper fit for the group. I just dont care for full space marines although Id be willing to give a Thousand Sons sorcerer a shot. But we have a full on psycher already so I wouldnt wanna out shine another character in thier own field.

Ooo i could totally do an Iron Warrior. That would give us the Heavy weapons end of things. Have him come with a melta-gun but fully able to use any hvy weapon we come across. Plus IW are my fav chaos army. Plus they are chaos undivided so they have not preferences.

[HairyHeretic]

If you're happy to go with it, I think an Iron Warrior would be a better fit than an Ogryn. I favour Night Lords myself, but the Iron Warriors aren't bad either. I'm rereading Angel Exterminatus at the moment, so seeing plenty of the IVth Legion :)

[RedPhoenix]

An iron warrior would be awesome!!!

[Landshark]

kk IW it is then. Storm of Iron is one of my favorite BL books and Lord of the Night was really awesome also.
Should have something up tonight or tomarrow.

[HairyHeretic]

Cool. Lord of the Night is good, but I prefer the newer trilogy with Talos and co.

[Baalborn87]

You could make him one of Warsmith Honsou's men. Would give the Inquisition some reason to keep him alive. He could provide some information to what really happened with Uriel Ventris. I'm sure some members of the Inquisition are still suspicious of him (depending on the time frame that this is set pre/post/currently on his death oath).

[Landshark]

should i bother listing his gear since I seriously doubt it would still be on my person...and would i have my armor or just the black carapace?

[HairyHeretic]

You'll be able to pick up his armour and basic gear just after getting out of stasis, so go ahead :)

[Landshark]

Minos Tarturius        
Born in the firey years following the Horus Heresy, Minos, as many were, was taken as a slave during the withdraw from Terra. Raised as a slave he soon found solace in the hard work of the construction crews. Forced to build the new home of the Iron Warriors within the great warp storm known as the Eye of Terror, he never questioned his place in the great machine. Never having known the galaxy as so many of the older slaves had he found it confusing as to why they wept in the night or resisted the orders of the slave masters. They gave him food and he gave them walls. They gave him purpose and he gave them obedience. They gave him strength…and he took it.
    As his body grew strong with devotion and purpose so did his fellow slaves grow weak with doubt and sorrow. As his mind absorbed the concepts and purpose of the great works he helped raise so did his fellow slave become dull witted with self pity and fear. He loathed them. Here they were, erecting the greatest fortress to ever be and all they could do was complain and moan about the mistreatment they suffered. His contempt boiled over one day as a slave lord whipped not one, but five slaves to death as they failed to complete their task in a timely manner. Minos, even though tired from his days work, roared and seized the next slave in line driving him into the stone slab he was tasked to move. His face exploded in a fount of blood and leaving a pinwheel of red on the stone as Minos stepped up and moved the stone himself to finish the task. The slave lord was angered at first, for none should take his pleasure from killing another worthless slave until his eyes set upon the now placed stone. Its marrow and brain covered surface was a mess but within that death blossom was the unmistakable eight pointed symbol of chaos.
   Taken before a Lord Captain of the legion Minos was inspected and nearly dissected to confirm his worth. So it was decided that he would be included into the new ranks of the initiates. For three years he suffered horrors that were created to ruin not only the body and mind but the soul. At its conclusion he stood with his brothers, five left from the ranks of over one hundred and was handed his battle armor.
   Over the next few centuries he learned all he could of siege craft and martial combat. He learned of the Carrion Lord and how he had struck down one of his godlike sons for challenging his arrogance. How the great Perturbo guided his sons to their new home pausing only long enough to make the foolish dogs that chased them pay in blood.
    From a lightly armored scout to a full battle brother to sergeant, he carved his path to glory and respect across the face of a hundred worlds. But things were changing in the ranks of  his Warsmith. Since the battle of Hydra Cordatus the ranks had been in upheaval. The Warsmith had ascended and two of the three heirs to his position were either missing or dead. Left standing in this power vacuum was their new Warsmith, Honsou. A newer addition to the ranks of the Iron Warriors like himself. This was a promise of a great day in Minos’s future. This proved that even one not of Olympia could rise to the highest ranks. Honsou was merciless but crafty and Minos knew that to survive under such a Warsmith would be his greatest challenge yet. But even this was not to last.
    Many hated Honsou for his mixed heritage and claimed he had usurped the position of Warsmith and was unworthy of it. This brought old rivals down upon him and soon his ranks were desimated and his fortress in ruins. Many of Minos’ brothers laid dead upon those broken walls and he knew that to continue following Honsou meant the same for him sooner or later. Along with a dozen fellow warriors and a cadre of followers they split off to build, recover and decided their next move. But an Iron Warriors position, even a small one is far more dangerous and impressive than a simple bunker system. An advanced recon vessel of the Raven Guard spotted the instillation assuming it was a forward assault position and fell upon them with the efficiency they are so well known for.
   The Iron Warriors within never stood a chance. Taking up arms was as pointless as screaming at the sky. Minos leveled one Imperial lackey with his melta-gun and followed up with a backhand from his power maul to another. Even though the two laid dead the squad beyond was not moved in any fashion. He had just enough time to call to the Dark Gods for deliverance before his world erupted in fire, pain then darkness.

Demeanor:    
Minos is a pragmatist. He always uses every resource at best efficiency to accomplish the task at hand. He holds no distaste toward most allies as they all serve a purpose in the grand scheme of the chaos gods. Likes to lead but knows that he is no expert on all things and respects those with knowledge outside his own. Though he may view non-astartes as lesser he also knows that they are useful and come in very handy in many respects.

Aspects:
Gene-seed:
   This gives him a huge assortment of abilities such as enhanced strength, enhanced toughness, resistances vs (poison, radiation, any kind of sickness ect..), his mind works on level with a tactical computer taking in every detail. He can think faster than a standard human. His endurance is almost limitless. He can survive several days without food or drink.
     Drawback: He is much larger than a human keeping him from blending in. He cannot easily use devices made for the smaller hands of regular humans.

Power Armor: As if his gene-seed didn’t already make him dangerous his armor makes him a demon of war. Able to easily deflect small arms fire it also provides him with food and water for prolonged engagements. His already excellent senses are augmented with enhanced night vision and parabolic mics as well as environment analyzers to detect air borne threats and filter them out or simple seal down the armor so no outside threats can get in. A selection of drugs and medicines can be automatically pumped into his body to off set damage or fatigue as well. The addition of the armor slightly enhances his strength allowing him to carry heavy weapons around that would normally require a three man gun crew.
   Drawback: Suit requires power and needs recharged from time to time. Also his size is even larger and he is unmistakably an agent of chaos.

Siegemaster: No walls stand long under an IW assault. Knowing how best to break things comes natural and he always seems to know exactly where to hit something to cripple or destroy it.

Denizen of the Warp: Having grown up within the boarders of the Eye of Terror and witnessing all its strange and wondrous events has hardened Minos to anything but the most extreme circumstances. Once you witness a greater daemon being dragged from the warp and bound into a sorcerous-mechanical device you tend to not be impressed with a room full of dead children being fed upon by six legged rats quoting Shakespeare….but it is noteworthy.

Gear: Astartes bolt pistol, Astartes melta-gun, power-maul{2handed} (normally a combat knife and 2 frag grenade as well but they would be considered standard equipement and not held for examination)

     

[HairyHeretic]

Looks good. Feel free to join in in the current scene.

[Kythia]

So,another marine and a sorcerer.  This is, I'll wager, going just as Tzeentch planned.

[Baalborn87]

[RedPhoenix]

So,another marine and a sorcerer.  This is, I'll wager, going just as Tzeentch planned.

*cackles* Oh how little you truly suspect!!!  :o

[HairyHeretic]

The 41st Millenium is unforgiving, and the number of our Heretics has dwindled. Who would join themselves alongside the decadent Slaaneshi nobleman and the Heretek Magos? You still have a hulk to explore and escape, and immortality awaits those worthy of it.

Recruitements once again open. Please sign your name in blood (your own or someone elses, we're not picky) if you're interested :)

[Empyrean]

I never played Warhammer 40k, but I see a lot of references to it over on Tv Tropes. I think I'd be interested. The psyker class seems interesting, maybe one dedicated to Nurgle or Slaanesh. I'll do a little more reading on the Chaos gods but those are the two who seem most interesting to me. Would that work?

[HairyHeretic]

We already have a Slaaneshi noble, so a Slaaneshi psycher would probably fit right in.

[Baalborn87]

PORN FOR THE PORN GOD!!!!!

[Empyrean]

Okay. I can make a Slanneshi psyker. What should I know coming in as far as what's going on/what's already happened?

[HairyHeretic]

Short version is you were captured by the Inquisition. You awake coming out of a stasis pod, and it looks like the ship has been decaying / deserted / derelict for quite a while.

As we're going mostly freeform, feel free to come up with whatever sort of background and powers/gear would suit the character. I'll give a yay or nay on it, then you can jump in.

[Empyrean]

Okay. I'm speedreading on what powers and such are available. I think I have an idea for a background already.

[HairyHeretic]

Cool. Let me know if you need anything.