Dark Heresy (Third time lucky?)

Started by HairyHeretic, April 25, 2008, 02:28:06 PM

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HairyHeretic

Since the first couple of tries of getting a Dark Heresy game going didn't work out I figured I'd give it a try. I have all the books out so far, so stuff in the Inquisitors Handbook will be allowable. I plan to start off running pre existing adventures, to give me time to work up my own campaign. I'm leaning towards the players being the retinue of an Ordo Malleus (Daemonhunter) Inquisitor, and as such will allow players to take Forbidden Lore - Daemonology / Psykers / Warp in addition to their normal skills.

So, for those interested, do you want to start as beginning characters, or with a rank or three under your belt?

I'm just looking for interest and character concepts to start. We can move on to the mechanics of the system later. I don't have a problem with characters doubling up on career paths.
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

Dingo

I am quite interested, and I'll stick with my usual concepts.

A bit depends on where we are located, but I've got a thing for Psykers, Scum and ... strangely feeling up for it now .. Priests.

HairyHeretic

You looking something more than 'the Calixis sector'? :)

I'm still working out ideas.
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

kongming

Feeling up priests, Dingo? :p

Anyway, I'm interested, thinking perhaps an Arbitrator or Assassin (Eversor-themed), or possibly a guardsman being trained for the Commisariat.

My preference is a rank or three under the belt, but I don't mind that much - it's just a little preference, so I can go "MOAR THINGS!" and look over lists, saying "I want that. And that. Oh, that too!"
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

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Muse

I would humbly request, in the name of my dearly beloved concept, a rank or three and permision to take talents from outside your core tree for concept purposes. 
A link for all of us who ever had a shouting match with our muse: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

How to set this Muse ablaze (O/Os)

When the little angel won't appear no matter how many plum blossoms you swirl:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=135346.msg16474321#msg16474321 (Major update 5/10/2023)

Xillen

I think I'm partially to blame for the other game dying, as I had delayed my character creation in favor of a certain project, but the setting surely catched my interest. I'm game if you want me.

HairyHeretic

#6
I'm prepared to grant some leeway in picking skills / talents outside the normal ones, if they fit with the character / background.

I'll also be allowing the request / requisitioning of gear, within limits, so you don't start off with the standard IG flashlight and t shirt combo :)


Ok, a couple of ideas I've found omline that I want to toss out to get peoples views on. First up, a points buy system, rather than randomly rolled stats. Details are here:

http://vidzup.com/house-rules/point-buy-characteristic-system-3.html

Since the characters are supposed to be special individuals, I'd probably give about 120 or so points to play with. Would people prefer to roll or build their characters?

Secondly, I'd allow one character to take the Psychic Blank background package.

http://vidzup.com/new-packages/psychic-blank-background-package-3.html

If you've read the Eisenhorn or Commissar Cain books you should have an idea of what this entails, and why an Ordo Malleus =I= would be so happy to have one.

There seems to be a lot of interesting stuff on that site, so if you come across something that appeals, let me know about it, and I'll give a yay or nay to it.

Who has, or does not have, access to the core book and Inquisitors Guide?
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

kongming

Aye, I have both of those books. Indeed, I have more or less completed a couple of possible character sheets, though modifications would need to be made for the point-buy (I prefer the PB method you outlined) and the amount of XP we have,
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

Ons/Offs:
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=9536.msg338515

Lirliel

Also of note, I would like to WORK with Hairy on this, being a Co-GM if he'd have me, more then likely he'll handle the fair share of 'tech-stuff' such as rules because god knows I suck at that, so I'd be looking at making scenario's for the group, getting them into adventures making them fight Great Unclean.. *scribbles that out* I meant fighting normal looking enemies..
"Jealousy would be far less torturous if we understood that love is a passion entirely unrelated to our merits."

"A minute of perfection was worth the effort. A moment was the most you could ever expect from perfection."

HairyHeretic

I didn't want to presume to speak for you :)

Actually I have an idea for a scenario, or series of them. I'll PM you in a little bit and we can start bouncing ideas around. Alternately I can give you my email / MSN if thats handier.
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

HairyHeretic

No one else have an opinion on the points buy system?

Ok, lets try something else then ... starting level. What level would you like to start at? I'm thinking about roughly L3 ... enough that you can picky up some new shiny things, but not so far  that you don't still have lots more to look forwards to.

Also, can I have a prefered concept from everyone please. It will be handier for me to start planning things out once I get an idea of group mix. I have a campaign idea coming together, which is being bounced around at the moment.

=I= Thought for the day: Thought begets Heresy. Heresy begets Retribution. =I=
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

kongming

Yeah, rank 3 sounds good. 1,500 XP, perhaps? That way it's partway into the rank, to enjoy its goodies.

I'm sort of tossing up between an Eversor-style assassin (hopped up on combat drugs, fighting with little care for personal safety) and an arbiter from a militant family, trying to live up to the family tradition of being an Imperial hard-ass. I'm leaning towards the assassin, because IIRC Kitikat wishes to keep playing his arbitrator.

Either concept is from a noble family, because good equipment is very expensive. Besides, I like the idea of "rich kids" having to go out there and fight in the grim darkness and dark grimness of the real world.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

Ons/Offs:
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=9536.msg338515

Mindhazingsquid

Quote from: HairyHeretic on April 26, 2008, 05:56:41 AM
A Sister of Battle is the new career path from the Inquisitors handbook, so thats fine. Not sure about a Repentia ... I still have only just skimmed the book really. Post over in the players wanted thread, so we can have everything in the one place.
Whew, it took me a while to find this thread.  Things keep getting changed around I keep getting lost, hah hah.
As for character ideas, I don't really know enough to go with anything other than what I have.  Plus I like the idea of running into a battle in plain clothes against people in power armour.  That takes cojones.

Muse

I like Kong-chan's idea on where to start. 

I have the core book, but I dont' thin I have the second one you mentioend. 
A link for all of us who ever had a shouting match with our muse: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

How to set this Muse ablaze (O/Os)

When the little angel won't appear no matter how many plum blossoms you swirl:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=135346.msg16474321#msg16474321 (Major update 5/10/2023)

Brandon

If this gets going Im definatly in. I think Ild like to try a tech-priest this time and focus on the varyin piloting skills
Brandon: What makes him tick? - My on's and off's - My open games thread - My Away Thread
Limits: I do not, under any circumstances play out scenes involving M/M, non-con, or toilet play

HairyHeretic

Quote from: mindhazingsquid on April 26, 2008, 11:49:50 PM
As for character ideas, I don't really know enough to go with anything other than what I have.  Plus I like the idea of running into a battle in plain clothes against people in power armour.  That takes cojones.

Well, I don't think the basic Sister career starts with power armour. And you always have the option of not wearing the armour you do have, and weilding an eviscerator.
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

Muse

*bounce!* 

So, Hairy, when can we start adjusting charecters?  *Bounce!* 
A link for all of us who ever had a shouting match with our muse: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

How to set this Muse ablaze (O/Os)

When the little angel won't appear no matter how many plum blossoms you swirl:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=135346.msg16474321#msg16474321 (Major update 5/10/2023)

HairyHeretic

What I'd like is a firm concept from everyone posted here. If you're thinking about multiple ideas, lay out your favourite one. I want to get an idea for what kind of party mix we're looking at.

Once we have that, then we can move on to working out stats, skills, equipment etc
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

Muse

Devi

Courtesan implants:  Until removed, she infertile, and imune/resistent to STDs, nor can she carry them.  Her life span, and especially youth, is extended.

Hidden Sheathes:  These small, subtle skin pouches in her forearms conceal twin switchblades.  The switchblades are of exceptional quality and Mono.

I wrote the name of this stealth armor down, but can't find it.  She has a best craft suit of it, surgical attached, so that it fits like a second skin, is not easily removed, and she has full sensitivity through it.  In spite of this, it provides 3 all-over armor (after application of Best Craftmanship modifications) and +10% bonus to Silent Moves and Concealment checks made when naked (before aplication of best craftmanship aplications.)

I don't know the rules for stacking armor, but if she does so, it would probably be with either a mesh body stocking under the rest of her clothes, or, if going to an all out war or a ceremonial occasion, some sort of military grade armor of ceremonial cut (AKA femenine, maybe with ceremite heals, high but not spiked) that is relatively mobile, not unlike the woman with the top knot and the sword on the cover of the dark heresy book.

Main weapons;  1-2 Mono edged fine craft swords.
1-4 mono edged, fine craft, daggers ballanced for either combat or throwing.
1-2 Las Pistols with red dot laser sites and overcharge packs.

*  *  *

Devi grow up in a family of acrobats in a merchant-carnival on a fairly backwards imperial world.  (Most folks would gawk if they saw a car or a plane.  Maybe their local lord or a wealthy tech priest owns one.  But they get around on foot or by cart horse, or carriage if they're well to do.)

Her family are jengluers in the French, jugglers, acrobats, sword swallowers, and fire eaters.  The women of the carnival are also expected to 'entertain' well paying customers from maturity 'til their looks start to slide, then they can marry other carny folk and settle down.

Well, Devi got a few years reprieve from the wench duty on account of being such a talented acrobat and on account of being so beautiful that they figured her virginity would go for a fairly good price.

Well, when she was sixteen, ripe, gorgeous, and remarkably buxom for an acrobat, the carny owners started talking about where they'd find a man rich enough to be her first client before the naturally friendly and sensual girl did something stupid and got herself ravished, or even more stupid and ran off with a dashing young man.

When a richly dressed and armored man, an off worlder by his accent and the technology he and his retinue were carting around, showed up at the show, while there were some nerves about what he was doing in these parts, they weren't about to miss the opportunity, and put on a good and subtle show that the rich man, being Inquisitor Wolf out of dress uniform, saw right through, but was amused to go along with.

Effectively, the show's owner and higher ups played a bit sterner and crueler than they actually were when in sight of the young women, while escorting him to the performance, in which the young woman had been instructed to wear a rather skimpier and more expensive outfit than usual.

She was comely, and the inquisitors eye did linger over her, for by now he was fairly certain that he was only here because the men in the last town had shifted the blame to relatively innocent carney folk, as townsfolk were want to do, and he could amuse himself and return in the morning to give the liars a painful lesson in the error of their ways.

The owner idily mentioned that the young acrobats first night in a gentleman's bed was negotiable, but that his wife handled such things.

After the show, two other acrobats, the girls father and mother approached the inquisitor at seperate times, playing their assigned rolls with sincerity, praying that their daughter might find a truly gentle man for her first lover, rather than the hard handed and cruel lords of the next province.

For whatever reason, it pleased the inquisitor to pay the show's owner the pittance that he believed was a fantastic sum for the girl's virginity, and then enjoy the night introducing her to the ways of womanhood in a mutually remarkable night.

The men the inquisitor was after desceneded upon the show that night while the inquisitor was fatigued from his pleasures.

There was some fighting, many cultists and mutants died, but the inquisitors men fled or were captured, and the inquisitor and the girl they found him with were taken to the heretic lord's castle.

The heretic lord, a mutant with two members, and his two henchgirls, took the carny girl too the prison in the dungeons where the Inquisitor was in chains and tormented him first by molesting and ravishing the girl he'd been so tender with, then the two henchgirls with their beautiful and profane bodies had their way with him while whispering dark scriptures into his ears.  The dark lord sat in a large chair and watched, amused, while still having his way with the carny girl who squeeled and whimpered and cried as her vessel flowed uncontrollably.

When at last they'd tired, the girl was taken up to the Dark Lord's harem and left in a chamber, bound in hemp ropes, while the dark lord and his strongest knights road out to hunt down the Inquisitors remaining acolytes.

After some sobbing, and some sleep, and a great many prayers to the emperor, Devi found the strength to do what only she could.  In the darkness of the night, she slipped her bonds one by one, then moved slowly through the castle, first with kitchen knives, and then with stolen daggers, she assassinated the arms men and devoted heretics 'til she reached the dungeon with keys.  She released the inquisitor, knelt, and presented him with his sword, guns, and armor.  "Inquisitor Wolfe.  Last night, i gave you my innocence, and you taught me love.  This night I have spilled the blood of 13 heretics to set you free.  Seeing your beautiful face again, you have taught me the meaning of righteousness.  I humbly ask this boon.  Make me your assassin."

So he did.
A link for all of us who ever had a shouting match with our muse: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

How to set this Muse ablaze (O/Os)

When the little angel won't appear no matter how many plum blossoms you swirl:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=135346.msg16474321#msg16474321 (Major update 5/10/2023)

HairyHeretic

Quote from: Muse on April 27, 2008, 08:27:16 AM
Courtesan implants:  Until removed, she infertile, and imune/resistent to STDs, nor can she carry them.  Her life span, and especially youth, is extended.

Probably won't play a huge factor in the game. I'm looking at more a standard DH game. Its not to say there may not be sex scenes, but those are unlikely to be a focus.

Quote from: Muse on April 27, 2008, 08:27:16 AM
Hidden Sheathes:  These small, subtle skin pouches in her forearms conceal twin switchblades.  The switchblades are of exceptional quality and Mono.

Where did you get the hidden sheathes from? I'm just skimming the gear, but I don't see anything along those lines. 40k cybernetics tend to be fairly crude, for the main part.

Quote from: Muse on April 27, 2008, 08:27:16 AM
I wrote the name of this stealth armor down, but can't find it.  She has a best craft suit of it, surgical attached, so that it fits like a second skin, is not easily removed, and she has full sensitivity through it.  In spite of this, it provides 3 all-over armor (after application of Best Craftmanship modifications) and +10% bonus to Silent Moves and Concealment checks made when naked (before aplication of best craftmanship aplications.)

Synskin. A common assassins gear. It can be literally sprayed on, so I'm not sure about crafting on it. It can be worn under normal clothing.

Quote from: Muse on April 27, 2008, 08:27:16 AM
I don't know the rules for stacking armor, but if she does so, it would probably be with either a mesh body stocking under the rest of her clothes, or, if going to an all out war or a ceremonial occasion, some sort of military grade armor of ceremonial cut (AKA femenine, maybe with ceremite heals, high but not spiked) that is relatively mobile, not unlike the woman with the top knot and the sword on the cover of the dark heresy book.

Probably flak or carapace in that case. An assassin would find those confining though.

Quote from: Muse on April 27, 2008, 08:27:16 AM
Main weapons;  1-2 Mono edged fine craft swords.
1-4 mono edged, fine craft, daggers ballanced for either combat or throwing.
1-2 Las Pistols with red dot laser sites and overcharge packs.

These seem fine.

Background seems mostly fine, but I can't really see an Inquisitor being taken quite so easily. Maybe allowing himself to be captured to draw out the heretics or something.
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

kongming

Quote from: Muse on April 27, 2008, 08:27:16 AM

1-2 Las Pistols with red dot laser sites

What, twin-linked? :D

Anyway, a little more to my preferred character concept.

Officer Galatia "Calamity" Inez:
Raised in one of the "perfect" Imperial worlds, Galatia was wealthy right from the start. Her parents had ties to the military, and she knew she would need to work hard to make them proud. She couldn't just do any ordinary job, she needed to be out there really doing her part for the Emperor. As such, as soon as she was old enough, she went into training with the Adeptus Arbites, paying for their full training program up-front. She was handed many data-disks and books containing laws, and also trained in basic "violence and restraint" skills. Being expected to be able to handle a number of situations, she quickly learned to drive as well - again, paying for her licence up-front.

Eventually, she was a real Arbiter, out there on the streets, and had access not only to a small salary, but also to a generous "allowance" from her parents, along with the knowledge that they were proud of her. In that shrine world, she busted many a criminal and ganger, making arrests, performing police brutality with all the force and enthusiasm required, and executing those who resisted arrest.

Knowing that she needed to do more - having the money to put into the system, after all - she started funding another temple-prison combination, primarily serving as a penitentiary for young offenders, trying to stop them from becoming full-time gangers. It looked like it was working. Although the crime was certainly not as bad as a hive world in the first place, she was definitely making an impact. Soon, things were so under control that she was personally invited to attend a conference in a hive world. It was there that she discovered how difficult life could be for the law.

Working security, she made many arrests, and had to kill several troublemakers, but was completely shocked by the state of things. In the end, she was noticed when a lad, less than twenty years old, pulled out a rusty saw blade and swung it at an Inquisitor's neck. The Inquisitor surely would have avoided the blow, with his paranoia and training, but he didn't need to: Galatia was already there in a moment, her baton swinging through the air and hitting the saw blade before it had built much momentum. The blade snapped and the baton hit the young man in the jaw, sending him sprawling. She was already on top of him, making the arrest, and the Inquisitor's mouth twitched in a small smile.

"Perfect", he said.

---

She's tough, she can take foes down without necessarily killing them, and she can do other things too - literate, capable of driving normal ground vehicles (no special piloting or anything), and with her neural whip, specially crafted baton and combat shotgun, she will ensure that the law is followed and the Emperor is served. Note: for Sister Janice, if a message was sent that she needed someone to keep an eye on her and perform the task of a Mistress (whipping into a frenzy, leading into battle, performing any disciplinary measures needed), Galatia can do the trick.

Her favourite sport is Police Brutality (well known throughout the Imperium, and even played by some Commissars), but she has been known to be fair on occasions, though never too lenient. But at least a quarter, maybe even half, of the criminals she has encountered so far have survived the encounter and suffered no permanent damage.

---

Gear: Nothing she can't actually afford. Noble birth gives a very attractive wage, and going by the core rulebook, if we start at 1200+ experience points, that's already two paychecks. So, there's some nice armour (mesh vest, gloves and cowl), a punisher baton (from the handbook. More or less "baton, but not primitive"), a neural whip (handbook), and for "ranged" combat, a combat shotgun with a laser sight. A few blazer shells as well as plenty of the normal ones, too.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

Ons/Offs:
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=9536.msg338515

HairyHeretic

That sounds fine. As I already mentioned, the acolytes may request or requisition stuff, if they feel they need it for a particular job (as long as they don't get greedy). Once we get onto character sheets, we can sort those out.

Similarly I may allow skills from outside the normal allowed once, if there is sufficient justification (though you may pay more xp for it).
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

kongming

Cool. More importantly, wasn't my joke awesome? Because really, a laspistol with a laser sight just about does count as being a twin-linked laspistol, so weak are they said to be in 40K tabletop.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

Ons/Offs:
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=9536.msg338515

HairyHeretic

I got it, but I don't know that everyone else would.
Hairys Likes, Dislikes, Games n Stuff

Cattle die, kinsmen die
You too one day shall die
I know a thing that will never die
Fair fame of one who has earned it.

Dingo

I think I will settle for a Scum character this time.

***

Brannon was given a choice. Either serve the Inquisitor or end up as corpse starch, and even with these options the decision was difficult. He was actually pretty content with his life, and he hardly ever hurt anyone who didn't deserve it. He preffered to talk himself out of trouble, should he have been unable to avoid it alltogether, and often he succeeded.

It took him as long as was given to make up his mind about the offer, including a single escape attempt that got him knocked over the head hard by the Inquisitor's agents.

"I'll be your agent." he said, and he didn't dare to not mean it, as amongst the Inquisitor's agents was a Psyker who earlier ravaged around his thoughts, and he knew he would do it again.

***

Brannon is a proffessional criminal and he's quite good at it. He just made one mistake and that was putting his fingers in the Inquisitor's suitcase. Also, as he's not entirely trusted (the Psyker wasn't 100% certain of Brannon's loyalties, yet did not rat him out), he will need supervision (at least a light version of it).

Anyone feeling up to the task ?