Friday, October 17, 2008
Battle Fluff: Meeting of the Ancients
This world had no strategic value, there was no colony here, the Captain was concerned, why had such a group, clearly consisting almost exclusively of the Xenos warrior elite come here?
This was not the time for doubt however, Sammael would not wait, he had readied his Ravenwing and was ready for battle. To fight alongside the Master of the Ravenwing was a great honour, but for him to be deployed in such a place, what was of such concern that he would take the field personally? More questions with no answers.
The word came over the comm-net and the Dark Angels readied their weapons then charged over the ridge as one. Bikes Rhino’s and battle brothers charged, a glorious sight indeed though their charge seemed to go unseen, not a single Eldar stirred. When they reached optimum support fire range the Captain went to call for heavy weapon fire but those words died on his lips.
The Eldar force turned as one, weapons appearing in their hands that he would have sworn were not there before and a volley of weapon fire smashed into his men. This was not what stalled his advance however, when the Eldar shifted he saw 4 figures at the heart of the group whose strength and skill the Captain had read reports of before, the Immortal Legends of the Eldar race, Phoenix Lords!
Imperial reports had them single handed cutting down Captains and Masters along with their guard before weapons could even be raised, each one an army in their own right, to face 4 of them here and now? What kind of battle had Sammael lead them into?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
CAMPAIGN FLUFF: Exodus from Dantus IX
"Wake up trooper," shouted his sergeant, "We're pulling out of here. The valk's will be here in ten."
"What, no action sarge?" asked Lowe. "The buggers must have 'eard we were coming!"
"You just get yourself smartened up and ready. Seems like something big 'as gone down and this planet's no longer a priority."
Indeed, Trooper Lowe could see that even the Space Marines were making contact with their own transports, whatever they may be. Lowe was in awe of these mighty warriors that he had heard so many stories about growing up in Hive Epsilon on Dantus IV.
Suddenly there was shouting and Lowe turned to look at the source of the commotion. Troopers all about him were pointing at the horizon. Just coming over the peak of the hill was a horde of hideous alien monstrosities. Even at this distance, Lowe could see that they were nothing like the training 'vids had depicted them. As he watched, horrified, more and more of the creatures swarmed over the hill.
"Emperor save us... there's thousands of them!" trembled Lowe.
"Firing positions! Squad, to me!" screamed the sergeant, "Lowe, stop dreaming and get your useless arse over here! You wanted to see action? Well, it looks like you got your wish!"
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Campaign Fluff: The Ancient Darkness
The Ork force had been mostly blunted but the Tyranid’s were all over them, he and his remaining battle brothers had been overtaken by a sea of small vicious creatures and bladed armed Gaunts. Victory was an impossibility now, they had to pull back and conserve their gene-seed as losing it to these creatures would be unthinkable.
How could this even be, clearing an Ork infestation would be challenge enough but having the Tyranid see them as their own! What kind of monster had those researchers created. To make matters worse the Tyranid’s seemed driven by their unrelenting Hive Mind even without Norn Queens or any higher command organisms. Imperial doctrine listed the elimination of these “Leader-Beasts” as highest priority with their destruction sowing chaos and discord among all their lesser forces. This group however seemingly had no such organisation, had they somehow adapted beyond the need for it or was there a missing piece of the puzzle?
Ignatius suddenly felt a twinge of pain as one of the bladed arms of his foe punched through his torso, his armour quickly dulling the feeling and his arm already in motion tracking his attacker with his bolter, one quick burst shredding the cranium of the creature.
Comms chatter was virtually gone, most of the battle group had been destroyed and Ignatius lead what remained of his squad back, they needed to make it to the plateau for extraction and meet up with the Thunderhawk there to get back to the firebase.
He could see the Ork leader, thundering around on his ramshackle excuse for a vehicle, howling in joy, revelling in the bloodshed. He was brandishing his latest trophies, pieces of the armour of the Sisters sent to aid them.
Then the sun was blotted out and the ground shook with a terrible impact, turning his head he saw it, a monstrous winged creature with huge bladed arms like the one that lead the attack on the research station. The creature towered over him clearly scarred by the battle, it’s carapace was cracked and shattered in places with it’s black ichors seeping from the wounds. Ignatius swung his bolter round tracking a weak spot near the neck, but the creature moved faster than he ever thought possible. Scythed arms lashed out slaying two of his battle brothers before they could even raise their weapons while one struck severing his arm at the elbow.
Casting his blade aside he reached for the Krak grenades at his belt, if he could detonate them he might yet take this beast with him. The world slowed as he reached, sparing a glance at the creature as it tore apart the last of his squad it’s eyes gleaming, but there was no emotion, simply the instinct and the deeper sense of something ancient as the stars themselves staring back from behind them as the creatures head whipped forward with it's razor toothed mouth spread wide…
Sunday, June 29, 2008
CAMPAIGN FLUFF: The Folly of Man
The auto-stylus whirred and clicked as it produced the report. The Imperial forces had been taken by surprise and the losses had been catastrophic. Captain Agrippa had expected an alien presence but nothing on the scale of what they had encountered. He had been lucky to escape with his life, he knew. Had the Canoness not sacrificed herself so bravely, he was sure that the Ork would have finished him. Well, he would not make the same mistake twice. Reinforcements were on the way. Agrippa knew all to well the speed at which an Ork or Tyranid infestation could swell to unstoppable proportions. But how had there been both Orks and Tyranids on Dantus IX? And how could there have been Tyranid monstrosities of such awesome power? There was a beeping as the auto-stylus indicated it was finished. Agrippa picked up the report...
JOURNAL OF REPORTS FOR EXPERIMENT D9
COMPILER: **FILE CORRUPTED - DATA LOST**
DATE: **FILE CORRUPTED - DATA LOST**
ENTRY: The experiment on the Ork genome begins today. I am confident that we shall achieve great results of benefit to our archives.
ENTRY: Preliminary tests continue well. We have had much success in isolating the peculiar character of the Orkish gene. Its reproductive nature is of considerable interest, being of a fungal nature. The possibilities of this are limitless.
ENTRY: Further tests on the nature of Ork genetic preprogramming. We have had managed to have some effect on the predisposition of the Orks bred but are still having some difficulty quelling the beast's aggressive nature.
ENTRY: What luck! We have been given samples of the xenos genus Tyrannus! I have applied for permission to introduce the Tyranid gene samples into our experiments. I'm sure the mutagenic nature of the Tyranid DNA will help us conquer Orkish aggressiveness once and for all!
ENTRY: Disastrous day today. Holding pens malfunctioned and allowed Tyranid samples into the Ork holding bay. We lost huge quantities of samples. Something interesting did occur, though. One of the newer generation Orks was not attacked by the Tyranids. They seem utterly uninterested by the specimen. I have brought the subject in for dissection.
ENTRY: Analysis of the Ork survivor of last weeks accident has lead to a substantial discovery. Crossing of the Ork and Tyranid DNA has led to the fungal spores given off by the Ork acting so as to make it appear friendly to the Tyranid. This is a fascinating discovery, that could lead to many practical uses.
ENTRY: Success! The latest Ork generation has been truly pacified. We have started work on a mining operation with them. It seems we have created a slave race cheaper and more efficient than servitors. With this experiment a success, I shall move on to further study of the Tyranid genome.
ENTRY: Emperor save us from superstition and credulity. I have had reports from outlying mining stations of attacks by Tyranid lifeforms. All Tyranid lifeforms on this planet are in our research station, we would know if any lifeforms had made landfall on this planet!
ENTRY: Curious reports from the Ork staffed mining stations. Mine overseers claim the Orks seem to have started making their own tools and even some vehicles. Another inbuilt characteristic of the Orkish gene?
ENTRY: Something has gone wrong. We have lost contact with the Ork staffed mining stations. Several guards around the complex have gone missing at night. I have requested increased security around our station but have had no reply as of yet.
ENTRY: Orks attacked in the night. They have built crude weapons and are fighting alongside Tyranids! I fear the mutated spores have made the Tyranids see them as friends. Such monsters! How could Tyranid creatures of such size and complexity exist so far from a Hive fleet? The outer defensive are breached. It's only a matter of time now.
Agrippa put down the report. The arrogance and stupidity of the researches on this planet had turned it into a death world. Well, Agrippa was prepared now. He knew his duty. He would cleanse this planet of the xenos threat or he would die in the attempt. The war for Dantus IX had begun.
Friday, June 27, 2008
CAMPAIGN FLUFF: The Landing on Dantus IX
FROM: Master Scribe Malthus Hex
SUBJECT: Distress Signal Received from Dantus IX
DATE: S4.D30-993.M41
My Lord Castellan, a distress signal was recently received from a research station on Dantus IX. The system is, as you know, ill equipped to defend itself and requested external aid. It is my pleasure to inform you, my Lord, that aid is on the way in the form of a mission of Battle Sisters from the Order of the Ebon Chalice sanctum located on Gehenna and a detatchment of Space Marines from the Knights of Marconia chapter. May the Emperor bless and protect them. Your obedient servant, Master Scribe Malthus Hex.
The research facility was already secured by the Sisters of Battle by the time Captain Agrippa of the Second Company made landfall. The walls of the interior were pock marked with weapons fire and appeared to have been scored and acid-burnt in places. The stench of death hung over the place.
"Do we have any idea of what happened here?" he asked a sergeant.
"None, sir, only that the lab was used for experiments on xeno genetics." the sergeant replied. Agrippa gave the sergeant a nod, and turned towards the door. Just as he was about to leave, the sergeant called to him.
"Sir, I think you had better see this." Agrippa looked at the auspex in the sergeant's hand. As they watched, little green dots appeared at the edge of the screen. More and more appeared, until the little screen was ringed with green lights.
From outside the complex came the sound of gunfire...
Monday, June 16, 2008
Prologue: Eldar
“The Mon-Keigh have been driven from the world, their leader humbled but sadly alive. Our own forces have been sorely pushed and I would request the Council allow the guardians to return to the craftworld to rest and fresh warriors sent in their place. They have been through much and performed as well as anyone could ask in such trying times.”
“Do not worry about Grey, your vision was perhaps clouded but ours has come to pass perfectly. The Inquisition will think twice before they strike at our number again and while they have gained a scarred Inquisitor, we gained a much greater prize, you, Allar-El. This whole campaign has been for this purpose, to bring you to be the Seer we need and crush the personal forces and reputation of Inquisitor Grey. The foolish Mon-Keigh only value determination when it leads to victory, being the fools that they are leads them to turn quickly upon failure.”
“You will return and be joined with Anaris, as the two of you planned to request, then you will take tutelage under the Emerald Seer, and join us on the council, it’s time you saw the greater scheme of the galaxy. You will leave behind a small force of Reapers, they have already been instructed as such, who will keep watch over the world, the rest of your force shall return to Ulthwe safe in the knowledge they have safeguarded our peoples future”
With that the construct faded, they had been guiding him all along, he finally understood the depth of the councils power. His own abilities had grown a hundredfold and yet they had still lead him around as they chose. Now it would be his turn, the dark will for power lay at the heart of every Eldar, kept firmly under control but he allowed himself a smile at that which he would soon receive.
Of course should the councils power aid him in bringing Ulthwe's full might into contact with Lady Grey again that would merely be, a fortunate coincidence…
Campaign Fluff: Allar-El's Revenge
Sensing her position he could see she was attempting to flee from him! She must have realised her defeat was at hand and was planning her escape. Mentally signalling his warriors to capture her alive he began to watch through their eyes, he saw Elieric lead his Spiders through the Warp appearing in front of her, their deadly weapons lashing out slaying her last attendant and leaving her right leg a bloody ruin. The rest of her forces defeated Allar-El began to hold a psychic disturbance over the field, this would prevent her from escaping him again with that emergency teleport of hers.
It was several minutes before he arrived at her prone body, she still screamed her defiance in their primitive tongue surrounded as she was by his finest warriors, he would make her pay for her actions here. Kneeling in front of the Inquisitor he began to split his mind, he must keep up the disturbance, keep her powers in check and finally he would shatter her mind. Slowly he began, tearing at her memories, her values everything that made her what she was, this agony would seem like a hundred lifetimes before he was done. With her defences crumbling one by one the pain must be almost unbearable, if anything he suspect her training and enhancement made it worse, keeping her mind intact while most would have tumbled into darkness.
Then there was a scream and she was gone, she had actually broken through the disturbance and given her people an opening to retrieve her! Was it pure power or had she willingly sacrificed her defence to push through? His revenge was not complete, but he had left his mark, Grey would never forget his actions today, no matter how hard she tried or however much she clenched her mind shut. They would meet again and he would complete what he had started and until then he would console himself with knowing there would forever be a shadow of him staring over the Inquisitors shoulder…
Saturday, June 14, 2008
CAMPAIGN FLUFF: The Inquisitor's Last Stand
"Elizabetha, this has gone on too long. Your actions are starting to cause comment. This crusade of yours against the alien, it has cost many lives to the Imperium. And as for your recent actions, they could see you end up on trial."
They walked in silence for a while until they reached a makeshift landing site where three Valkyrie transport ships were warming their engines.
"I'm pulling out the majority of the forces on the planet, and I... request that you come too. I have never doubted your judgement in any matter, Elizabetha, but this whole thing, well, it smacks of pride."
Suddenly, Lady Grey's two assistants came and stood by her side. For the first time since they had started walking, the Inquisitor turned to face her ex-pupil. The force of her stare and the wave of psychic energy almost knocked him back. There was a slight corona of light about her head. When she spoke, the words came into his head almost before the sound reached his ears.
"Do not think to question my judgement. This alien witch, this abomination in the eyes of the Emperor threatens man's domion in this sector. I have felt a power beyond which you could possibly imagine. And you tell me to leave? To run, like a beaten dog? No. This ends here. If it costs me my life, it ends here."
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Campaign Fluff: The Rage of Allar-El
Finally the screen cleared, the operation complete he could see her chest moving, she lived still. Allar-El must give his thanks, had the pathfinders not struck down the Assassin when they did... the Wraithbone of the nearby wall cracked under the psychic pressure, his passions were unbound now, he would lead this last charge, Greys fortress was revealed and the way opened.
The deployment of her human infantry had caught Anaris off guard, what appeared to be a small contingent of their "Space Marines" had suddenly sprung into and ambush of dozens of human warriors appearing in every window and doorway. They would not be enough to save her though. His vision of Anaris defeating Grey was broken, his love would not have the strength to fight and would not even be able to walk for the final strike, he would simply replace that ending with a new one, he would rend Grey's mind assunder and let her live, she would live out the rest of her years trapped screaming in her own mind while her body rotted.
The stars themselves had once bowed to the Eldar and while they had fallen fall since their zenith he would show them that there was strength yet in his people and that their rage could still shake the pillars of heaven.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Campaign Fluff: The Spear of Khaine
Once they returned to Minas Morn they could marshal a much larger force and strike back at these upstarts, they would have access to much more ordinance and many more Aspect Warriors, they would unleash the Baharr Larstill, a storm of blades and death for these foolish Mon-Keigh who opposed them, Allar-El could already see the thread of fate he needed, Anaris stood over the fallen form of Grey, blades blazing like Badbaltrilas the warrior of legend with the landing of their enemy burning around them. Yes, he would strike at her mind while Anaris delivered the final blow to her mortal form, thus she would be forever scattered.
He knew just how he would locate them too, for all her zeal and hatred it appeared that Lady Grey was herself a… “Witch” as they called them. She clearly kept it contained normally but something about this conflict was letting it bleed out, he could sense it, feel her rage at him, it was forming a bond between them, how little the Mon-Keigh understood, she had handed her exact position to him!
They needed to strike quickly before she had time to ready her forces and move out, with Anaris’s aid they would drive the Spear of Khaine directly to the black heart of this force and end Grey’s crusade of vengeance once and for all.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
CAMPAIGN FLUFF: Inquisitor Grey's Obsession
"This has gone far enough, Roberta," Lady Elizabetha said to the acolyte. "The xeno witches have played havoc with our plans one too many times." Lady Elizabetha stood and Roberta followed her out of the room. "Have you carried out my instructions?"
"Yes, m'lady," said Roberta. "I'm assured that they will be combat ready within a matter of days." They two women walked down a shadowy hallway, hidden in the labyrinthine construct of the Samarobrivan Planetary Administratum building.
"Excellent," said Lady Elizabetha. "Maybe we'll soon be able to give them something they won't have planned for." They entered a small room, the door unlocking when it's complicated sensor array recognised the Inquisitor's bio-signature. It was filled with maps, charts and cogitators. Lady Elizabetha picked up an auto-stylus drawing of a tall figure in ornate armour. Roberta was shocked to see a flicker of what could have been rage in the Inquisitor's normally controlled features. "You may leave now, Roberta," said the Lady, and, taking her cue, Roberta curtisied and left the room.
Left on her own, Lady Elizabetha sat back in a chair and looked through the reports collated by her network of informants. She had never seen the Eldar in the field of battle before this recent conflict and what she had seen had impressed her. The Ordo Xenos painted the Eldar as a doomed, dying race, but little had she been prepared for the ferocious devastation that could be wrought by their advanced weapon. And then there was the Farseer, as the xenos called them. The part of her brain Lady Elizabetha kept under strict control tingle when she faced him on the battlefield. There was potential there, the germ of a great power. Vague premonitions had been filtering through to her consciousness, despite her rigid defences against her own psychic powers, and the Inquisitor knew that she was soon to face a fight the likes of which she had never known before. She picked up the auto-stylus capture of the Farseer again and smiled.
"You have my attention, little witch. Now show me what you can really do..."
Monday, May 19, 2008
Campaign Result: Aftermath of Tellas Morn, Eldar
There appeared to be a single warrior, his clumsy weapons clearly exhausted he had drawn a large blade and still seemed to be looking for an opening in the guard of the Aspect Warriors, remarkable the stubbornness of these creatures. He was readying the command in his mind for the Banshee to simply open fire and end his life when Anaris turned to him and steadied his mind.
“Aneith” The farseers thought instantly diffused with the use of his peacetime name, from anyone else it would have been an immense breach of authority to use it in this time and place, but Anaris knew the effect it would have and meant no lack of respect from it. “This creature, primitive and crude though it is has at least earned to die as a warrior, at least let me grant him that” With that she removed her helm, her eyes burned like Emerald stars and her blazing red hair unfolded down around her shoulders. Emotion welled up in Allar-El as Anaris knew it would, she knew he would eventually surrender to her request and the action was purely for her own benefit to feel his response, she truly was a child of Khaine, a terrifying beauty with pale porcelain skin and a grace to be marvelled at even among their kind. She had come so close to taking up the mantle of Exarch in the largest Banshee shrine on Ulthwe but had withdrawn, a fact he was always thankful of knowing that an Exarch would have no time for what they had come to share.
She sensed his smile and acceptance even with his Ghosthelm in place and he heard the sound of her ornate blade once again being drawn from it’s sheath as he turned away to return to what was left of the council chamber to plan their next move.
It was only a short time after his own arrival that Anaris arrived, despite her wounds she had clearly cut the Mon-Keigh down in short order.
“Anaris, you must assemble a force from our remaining troops to head out into the ruins and find a replacement webway stone, only then will we be able to retreat to our fortress Belein-Tor and gather the forces to drive these fools from this place.”
“Indeed Aneith, it would appear this time Inquisitor Grey has brought more or the Imperium’s Battle Maidens, the ones I fought seemed to burn with some kind of power, their armour proving almost impenetrable while their blades struck with the kind of precision I would normally reserve for our own kin, we must tread carefully Aneith for these warriors may prove to be a more deadly foe than even their ‘Space Marines’ ” she struggled with their crude language, its guttural sound a complete antithesis to her grace.
Not for the first time Allar-El felt his darker impulses welling within him, if he drew upon the more destructive energies within him he could have perhaps struck down these warriors before Anaris was even forced to intervene, the dark song rose to crescendo as his mind began to formulate the patterns to turn his powers against these upstart creatures, the time for subtleties was done, he would show them the true power of a Farseer turned to war…
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
FLUFF: The Emperors Shadows
By your request, here is the report on the chapter you found yourself alongside in the most recent combat Lady Inquisitor:
The Emperors Shadows homeworld was named Lethe, a largely flat world covered in plains that served the Imperium as a low grade agri-world in the Segmentum Tempestus. The Shadows Chose this world due to the high numbers of Nomadic tribes that roam the world, skilled and honourable warriors they seemed like a good source of potential gene stock for the chapter. Lethe also possessed to small inhabitable moons, while they were of little use for agriculture they proved rich in minerals and have since been turned into successful mining worlds manned and worked by the penal legions with the Shadows ever watchful for insurgents.
The Emperors Shadows themselves are an Interesting chapter, originally of Ultramarine gene stock their purity has never been called into question, however for a chapter descended from the sons of Guilleman they have strayed from chapter doctrine in a number of ways. While their chapter structure follows their individual squads show variance by including many “Cleanse” squads in the place of the assault marines one would expect in a codex Chapter. These squads seem to have been born of the chapters preference for close range firefights and urban warfare by including a higher proportion of plasma, melta and flame weapons as well as rhino transports to bring them to the firefight with greater speed.
They are also unusual in their refusal to deploy aspirants in scout roles with the belief being that if they are unworthy to wear the armour of the chapter they are unworthy to bear it’s colours into battle. The aspirants instead of gaining battle experience that way participate in often lethal “wargames” against each other with the principle being that there is no greater foe they could overcome to prove their worth than another potential battle brother.
The Chapter is also noted in their complete absence of Chaplains, it is not understood how a chapter is able to maintain the spiritual welfare of their brothers without them but it is believed to be linked to our main concern regarding the Chapter
They raised flags with the Ordo Hereticus when it became apparent that rather than a God, the Chapter saw the Emperor as a extraordinary man with great powers, but merely a man none the less. The Inquisition has allowed this to continue as the belief seems to have left their dedication to him untouched and in the current climate investigation and potential excommunication of an entire chapter of dedicated marines would be a greater risk than allowing them to continue.
The chapter is currently embarking on a penitent crusade in repentance for the loss of it’s homeworld 2 years previously to an element of Hive Fleet Leviathan. Their devotion proved to be their undoing as with all but 3 battle companies of their 12, another break from codex tradition, out responding to calls for Astartes assistance when Leviathan smashed into the sector the Marines were too hard pressed to hold with depleted strength. It was this world that confirmed Inquisitor Kryptmans suspicions to Leviathans emergence however as the Shadows were able to pool their Librarians might and in an act of sacrifice generate a signal strong enough to punch through the Shadow in the Warp the foul Tyranids produce and send a single short message “We are the Emperor’s Shadows, the Tyranids have come, Honour to the Emperor”
By the time their battle brothers had arrived in reinforcement the sector was lost to the Tyranids, their homeworld of Lethe a blasted rock. The Shadows had apparently used they weapons stockpiles on Lethe and it’s surrounding moons to turn all large portions of all 3 bodies into a firestorm when it had become apparent they could hold them no longer dealing the swarm a blow, but sadly given the size of Leviathan, not enough to slow their advance. The remaining companies were ordered to withdraw and reform.
The Chapter has begun it’s recruitment, splitting the remaining companies back into 12 smaller groups to regain their original formation and dispatching them throughout the Galaxy as needed, careful not to recruit from worlds marked by other chapters the Shadows have none the less begun to receive aspirants from all corners of the Imperium but despite this variance maintain a strong prevalence for their original combat doctrine.
Recent Engagements:
With battle companies throughout the Imperium the Shadows are one of the most active Chapters currently engaged but they have been seen in high numbers engaging Hive Fleets Leviathan and Kraken and noticeably two battle companies responded when Inquisitor Carolus requested their aid in assisting her and her battlegroup during a mission to retrieve a number of potentially useful artefacts in the Ipsos sector which is where they fell under your jurisdiction during the end of that campaign after the death of Inquisitor Carolus.
They appear to be dedicated servants of the Emperor but their refusal to acknowledge the Divine Light of the Emperor is a worry regarding their devotion and defiantly warrants attention during any dealings with them.
“We are the Emperors Shadows, The Tyranids have come, Honour to the Emperor”
--Last communication from Lethe--
FLUFF: Farseer Allar-el
Many of our own were lost as seen by the council but with the Aliakor retrieved the prevention of a greater loss is now a viable future.
Allar-el himself is still young and shows talent as a commander but lacks the breadth of gifts sufficient to by considered for the Council. Since her loss at the hands of the foul Orks he has taken to carrying the soul stone of his sister, which while it appears to have given him access to a greater level to destructive potential serves as a dangerous crutch that could lead to an over reliance on her strength.
The blood of Seers runs through his veins as you know, his mother was a well respected member of this council and one even the Great Ulthuan himself saw as a great resource and gifted Seer. The routes through his future show almost as many paths where he achieves the status of Ulthuan as where he is damned to darkness of the Sha’eil. His future balances on the edge of a blade, we can only hope his gifts are sufficient to prevent his fall.
He has also formed a bond over recent decades with the Autarch Tireth Anaris, a pathfinder who overcame her wanderlust and re-settled on the craftworld. Her time as a wanderer brings her a disturbing degree of passion and fire but it seems to temper well with Allar-el’s calculating analytical nature. She often serves as a bodyguard to him in the field and while she feels the call of war he cannot sway her from the path I feel that Allar-el’s inexperience means he cannot make the same claim. I have seen the skeins of fate, this bond will either forge both into stronger blades or should one fall, doom the other to darkness.
Anaris herself has proven a boon to the craftworld since her return, despite her oft worrying levels of distaste for the more… confining aspects of the Path. It has been too many cycles since one such as her though and even though some more senior member may find it distasteful her passion is contagious and well needed. She blazes with life in dance, song and as is becoming the case in battle too. Clearly while she has turned down the paths of Scorpion, Banshee and Avenger she clearly has a preference for forming these warriors into her handmaidens in times of battle.
I would therefore recommend he not be inducted into the High Council at this time and one of the other potential aspirants chosen. Anaris on the other hand should serve as field commander to his actions and I recommend they be placed in command of the Unan Novine action currently under Council review.
While I would never place my own visions above those of the Council I see this project being the best course to bring that greatness to pass, however it also contains portents of one who hunts him, the Mon-Keigh Inquisitor. Her duty has grown into a dark obsession with our kind and she has the power and the knowledge to do us great harm.
It was the great Phoenix who nearly cut her down on that battlefield but she is all two aware of Allar-el and Anaris and would not hesitate to break their bodies, souls and fates with their crude devices should the opportunity arise.
I would therefore suggest Anaris take a squad of her personal handmaidens and if this creatures dares show her face to defy our plans that Anaris handle the matter of her destruction personally before she has a chance to even see Allar-el.
These are the paths as I see them and submit myself to the decisions of the Council.
Emerald Seer Te’lan
Sunday, May 4, 2008
FLUFF: There was a sudden terrible cry...
Warboss Salznik's already swinging Power Klaw missed the head of the commisar he was aiming at. This was mostly due to the fact that it was no longer there - much to the relief of the commisar. Instead the power klaw continued its trajectory and met the head of an unfortunate Ork boy, sending it skyward. Salznik staggered, regained his balance and then looked around. The noise of battle had gone, replaced by a strange silence punctuated only by the odd ork scream, then followed by the sound of fights breaking out. There was not a single 'oomie in sight, which was odd, because until a moment ago Salznik and his Goff boyz had been showing the pink skins what Orks like to do with the business end of a choppa.
Grabnutz, the Warboss's pet attack squig gnawed on the headless Ork boy's leg whilst Salznik consulted with his Nobz. He had a headache and was ready to start knocking heads. There had been a great deal of confusion after the flash of light and several of the ork boyz had started fighting amongst themselves and Salznik had had to put a few boyz down to restore some order. What was patently obvious was that the Warband wasn't on Kansisas anymore. This place didn't look like the war-ridden desert planet Salznik had created since he had begun his own mighty Waaagh! This planet was leafy and teaming with life.
Some of the Nobs leading the warband's huge mobs of boyz had found the warband's Weirdboy lying unconscious surrounded by a ring of dead boyz about 20 deep. As the painboyz set to work opening up the weirdboy's head in order to 'fix' him, Salznik sat on a rock deep in thought. Everyone knew Weirdboyz could tellyport during the heat of battle, usually accompanied by a bright flash and sometimes taking a mob or two (at most) of Orks with him. It seemed however as if the weirdboy in front of Salznik had tellyported most of his warband out of battle and onto another planet. For a Goff Warboss Salznik was unusually bright, but this conclusion still took a while to come to and the Painboyz had already finished their own brand of sergery when Salznik stood up and turned to look at the prone weirdboy still unconscious on the ground. A thought struck the Warboss and he smiled a dreadful smile; if he wasn't mistaken then he was looking at the most powerful weirdboy since the greatest weirdboy of them all - Old Zogwort.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
DISCUSSION: 4.5th Ed and Forthcoming Conflicts
- Are we starting a new Marine / WH / Eldar Campaign?
- Are we using 4.5th Ed? And...
- What is 4.5th Ed, exactly?
FLUFF: Report on the Increased Xenos Activity in the Ipsos Sector
SECURITY LEVEL ALPHA – PASSCODE ENCRYPTED
TO: Lord Castellan Tate, Overlord of Samarobriva
FROM: Master Scribe Malthus Hex
SUBJECT: Increased Xeno Activity in Ipsos System
DATE: S6.D12-992.M41
My Lord Castellan, please find as requested my report on the increased activity of the various Xenos races in and around the Ipsos sector.
INCIDENTS
991.M41
S1.D34 – S2.D12 : Reports come from Outsector of conflict between Imperial forces and unidentified Eldar raiders.
S2.D29 – S7.D03 : Numerous reports from Outsector of ongoing conflict between Eldar forces and both Adepta Sororitas heralding from Gehenna and an unidentified Adeptus Astartes force suspected to be renegade Emperor's Shadows. See note A.
S7.D15 : Suffering catastrophic losses, Imperial forces make tactical withdrawal to reconsider position. Eldar make cowardly retreat at this point. A glorious victory for the Imperium! See note B.
S12.D31 : Distress alert received from Rogue Trader vessel Acheron in the Halo Stars. Message contains only screams and static. Warp interference suspected cause of loss of contact. See note C.
992.M41
S2.D05 – S4.D20 : Series of brutal Ork raids on Imperial mining stations in sector outer rim. Curiously, no Ork ships sighted around the time of the raid. Several trader ships lost to unknown causes in the galactic west of the sector. See note D.
S5.D23 : Orks somehow make planetfall on Gehenna. Adepta Sororitas quick to react but sudden appearance of xenos of the Tyranid race causes heavy losses. Adepta Sororitas forces forced to fall back.
S6.D01 : Ork and Tyranid forces converged on Ecclesiarchy chapel. Taken by surprise by the ferocity of the attack, garrisoned Battle Sisters quickly overwhelmed. Canoness Pia Dominica VIII barely escapes with her life. See note E.
NOTES
A) The alleged co-operation of the Adepta Sororitas with the Emperor's Shadows implies that this chapter may not have turned rogue as previously suspected. Perhaps they seek penitance? Suggest full inquiry into history of this chapter.
B) There are unconfirmed reports of Inquisitorial activity in this campaign.
C) I suspect this may have been caused by xenos.
D) Has the beast mastered warp travel? Surely not. I very much doubt these creatures capacity for higher technology.
E) I suspect these bursts of Tyranid activity to be the front of a much larger invasion force. I strongly recommend seeking guidance from Ordo Xenos.
As ever, my Lord Castellan, your obedient servant, Master Scribe Malthus Hex.
The cold light of the Halo Stars looked especially bleak to Davone Yrte, captain of the Rogue Trader vessel Acheron. The voyage had been a total failure, the promising line of planets proving completely lifeless. With a sigh, he turned from the viewing port and made to leave the cockpit.
“Sir? I think you had better see this,” the first mate called to him. Reluctantly, thirsting after the bottle of wildsnake in his cabin, Yrte turned and walked over to the dashboard where the mate sat. “They've been flashing on and off the radar for a while now, but all of a sudden they've increased speed and changed course. Sir, they're headed for us.”
“They? Who are they, sailor?” demanded Yrte. He was growing testy. He knew all the crew were. A failed voyage meant no pay, yet again, and things had been sparse enough as it was.
“I... I'm not sure, captain. I've tried hailing them, but there's no reply.” The first mate's apprehension made Yrte nervous. He tried to suppress his unease.
“Pirates, is it? Call battle stations. I'll take the gun at the helm,” Yrte commanded. The first mate nodded and set the ship to action stations. The ship sirens blared and crewmen ran to their various quarters. The dark red emergency lighting cast the captain's face into stark relief. He grinned. The Acheron was one of the finest civilian fighting ships in the sector. Those pirates didn't know what they had gotten themselves into.
Suddenly, the whole ship trembled from a mighty blow. Warning lights lit up all over the cockpit's various dashboards.
“What the hell was that!?” cried Yrte, steadying himself against a bulkhead. The unmistakable sound of lasgunfire was audible from the back of the ship.
“Looks like something has latched itself onto the ship, sir! Some kind of boarding torpedo, perhaps, I don't know!” the first mate reported, nearly screaming. His eyes met the captains and they stared at each other for a moment.
“Impossible... who could...?” the captain mentally shook himself. “Send a distress signal. We're going to need help on this one, and besides--” The captain never had a chance to finish his sentence, because at that point the door was torn from it's hinges. In the half light, Yrte briefly saw something, a nightmare of teeth, claws and chitinous flesh. There was a blur, a brief but intense pain, and the captain saw no more.
FLUFF: Ipsos Sector Inquisition
INQUISITORS OF NOTE IN THE IPSOS SECTOR
As per your request my Lord, I have acquired a list of information on some of the more prominent Inquisitors in the Ipsos sector. I hope this serves your purposes well.
LADY ELIZABETHA GREY
As an infant, Elizabetha Grey was much like any other child. She was born into a noble family on the planet Castilla, a civilised world in the Gloriana system. It was the invasion on Castilla by the Ork Waagh Kazrik that was to lead to her life taking a very different path from that of a mere planetary noble.
The Orks struck from nowhere. Castilla, being the first planet in the path of the Waagh, was overrun in a matter of weeks. When the Orks broke into the Grey families manor they must have found the young Elizabetha and her family cowering, terrified in the cellars. I say must have, my Lord, because it what then transpired is not known. When the Storm Troopers of the Samarobrivan Grenadiers regiment cleared the building they found the child Elizabetha shivering and alone in the middle of the cellar room. Pasted about the walls and ceiling were the remains of quite a large number of Orks. The location of her family was unknown but it is speculated that they were killed in the same manner as the Orks. Being simple soldiers, the Storm Troopers took the child back to the Schola Progenium on Samarobriva, unaware of the cause of the incident. Lady Elizabetha was six years of age at this point.
At the Schola, Elizabetha showed no signs of unusual powers. She was trained for entry into the Adepta Sororitas and took to her studies well. It seemed she would make a fine Battle Sister, and I am certain she would have had it not been for a visit to the Schola from Inquisitor Carolus (now deceased, see file --FILE RESTRICTED--). Being a powerful psyker himself, he recognised psychic potential in Elizabetha. As a result, he inducted Elizabetha into his service so that he might train her to use her powers effectively. And so it was that, at the age of fourteen, Elizabetha entered into training under an Inquisitor.
Despite Elizabetha's potential for great psychic ability, she very rarely used her powers. It is most likely that she fears them, having deep rooted psychological trauma from the incident in her families manor. Elizabetha stayed on with Inquisitor Carolus for some time, until, at the age of thirty four, she was made an Inquisitor proper. From this point on her career went from strength to strength and she gained renown as a wise and intelligent Inquisitor. Working in and around the Ipsos sector she successfully prevented numerous insurrections and eradicated countless Chaos cults. At the age of ninety six she was nominated and elevated to the rank of Inquisitor Lord.
Lady Elizabetha Grey works extensively with the Adepta Sororitas of the Order of the Ebon Chalice, located on Gehenna. She is a member of no Ordo, but has close ties with the Ordo Hereticus. It is thought that her fondness for working with the Ecclesiarchy is due to her time in training at the Schola Progenium. She has also been known to work with inducted Imperial Guard regiments and has an exceptionally good relationship with the Knights of Marconia chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. She aligns herself to no faction within the Inquisition, preferring to focus her attentions on her duty to safeguard the Imperium against its enemies.
Lady Grey has trained several Inquisitors, notably one Nathaniel Luteran with whom she maintains close contact with and has worked with on several occasions. She has been known to also work with Lord Inquisitor Marcus Calvinus. She harbours deep hostility for Inquisitor Guido Abraxis, whom she sees as rash and dangerous.
During her recent involvement with the Eldar she appears to have developed an intense dislike for the race. It is said that she pursues them with vigour even now. Whether her purposes are discovery or revenge is, as of yet, unclear.
LORD INQUISITOR MARCUS CALVINUS
I could find little or no records of Lord Marcus Calvinus' activities before his recent arrival in the Ipsos sector. His arrival was tied in with the affair of the False Prophet Boden (xref: --FILE RESTRICTED--) and was thought to be at the request of Lady Elizabetha Grey. His actions in that campaign proved him to be a warrior of quite some skill. He is of the Ordo Malleus and is a staunch Thorian. It is thought that his Thorian tendencies are what have kept him in the sector and, as far as my sources can tell, he has been investigating the Adepta Sororitas in this sector, researching the Living Saint that has been rumoured to have been seen in various recent campaigns.
Lord Calvinus most often makes use of the Grey Knights when he goes to battle, preferring to make a surgical strike at the heart of the enemies forces. He is often seen to be working with other Inquisitors of the Thorian factions, most notably a young Inquisitor by the name of Andrei Tredan, who has been known to have been working in the Ipsos sector for his entire career. He feels a deep enmity for Inquisitor Guido Abraxis and the two have come to physical violence on several occasions.
INQUISITOR GUIDO ABRAXIS
Inquistor Abraxis is a fervent Monodominant. A member of the Ordo Hereticus, he fights to cleanse the Ipsos sector of the mutant, the psyker and the xeno. His methods are considered extreme by most and dangerous by some. He has declared exterminatus on two seperate planets and frequently leads purges of worlds in the Ipsos sector.
Raised on the hive world Babylon in the Dantus system, Abraxis was recruited as an explicator by the Amalathian Inquisitor Turpin. One of his first acts after being made a full Inquisitor was to launch an investigation into his old master. Sadly, the results will never been known as Inquisitor Turpin took his own life before the investigation could be completed.
Along with the Adepta Sororitas, Abraxis takes great pleasure in using penitents in his methods, and often recruits rabble mobs from the various Redemptionist cults on the planets in the Ipsos sector. For this reason, perhaps, he works mainly in the Dantus system. He works with no other Inquisitors referring to them as 'weak' and 'hypocritical.'
That is all I could find master, but I hope it is enough to be going on. I will task my sources to find any more information available. I am, my Lord, your faithful servant.
Lady Elizabetha, one of my agents intercepted this transmission. I thought it of the utmost importance to bring it to your attention. - R
Her arm twitched again, the pain in her side was lessening with the care of the chirurgeons but had still not faded fully.
That shrieking Eldar harridan had almost ended her that day, only the actions of her loyal retainers bought the time needed for an emergency evacuation teleport, what had one of the “Phoenix Lords” as those foul witch scum called them been doing on that world anyway, had the Aliakor meant that much to them that they had called on one of their great legends?
These months had not been wasted however, tracking information gleaned from all aspects of the Inquisition had allowed her to gather authorisation for a crusade against the Eldar, and now she had finally found a target.
The craftworlds were far too great an obstacle, entire fleets could crash against then and achieve nothing, nut now she had received word of a world, not too far from the Eye of Terror that the craftworld of Ulthwe were using as base for some kind of operation, in Imperial space no less! It would be an ideal target to lead her troops to and take a bloody toll on those who dared deny her the Aliakor and nearly brought her end.
Her troops had found a staging post for Eldar operations on world, a small fortress the Eldar had named “Telas Morn” in their foul tongue, that is where the hammer of the Emperor would fall first…