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Raith

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Posts posted by Raith

  2. Posted

    Act 3: Unseen
    Session 11: Calixis Sector, Lathes Sub, Lathe IV (Data-Storage), 47.816.M41

    The blast doors between Vault 161 and 162 ground open. Unlike the previous access points this blast door was much heavier than the last but still lead into an identical room filled with shelves of data-storage modules.

    On edge from the sudden appearance of the Tech-Priest and the Hunter/Killer the Acolytes proceeded with weapons at the ready. It didn’t take long for the group to work its way down through one last series of landing and into the approximate area where Thrakis had sent a message from.

    The vault that greeted the group was instantly recognisable. Signs of a hurried gun battle marked the room. Bullet had ripped apart a pair of whelves and destroyed acogitator. Blacken sections of metal showed where a flamer had swept and melted holes in the iron walkways indicated a plasma or melta weapon had been discharged.

    The trail of destruction illuminated a running fight and took the acolytes downwards where they caught sight of a flutter of red cloth. Ready for another ambush the group where relieved to find the corpse of the Mechanicus priest hanging over the side of the sub-floors, his red robes hooked up in some twisted metal.

    The tech-priest had died from massive injuries. A powerful shot had ripped open most of his torso leaving a hole through its middle. The hanging priest was not the only victim another robed Tech-Adept and a pair of combat servitors armed with heavy weapons lay on the distant vault floor.

    A quick examination of the corpses revealed that the hanging Tech-Priest had been killed less than a day before. A clotting blood trail revealed at least one other who had escaped by moving to a higher vault while the corpses on the floor had been killed much earlier, At least a month, as the beginnings of decay had eaten at the corpses despite the very chill atmosphere in the vault.

    Knowing that any recent hostilities indicated a possible threat the group followed the bloodtrail upwards. They needed to check the location for signs of their master anyway. Magnus took the lead trumping up the secondary stairways to the vault above. Despite their caution it was quickly deemed unnecessary as the vault above was empty aside from a single corpse. A Tech-priest lay in a pool of coagulating blood his left leg missing below the knee.

    The Tech-priest’s corpse lay near a Cogitator unit built into the vaults walls. Wondering if some sort of information had been sent Corker hacked into the device but was quickly able to see that the priest had died before sending out any message and that such an attempt would have been futile as the Cogitators Machine-spirit seemed linked into a enclosed network rather than open to the greater plaent wide system.

    Moving away from the corpse and back down the group quickly discussed their options. They had found the location of the Data-tomb Thrakis had been seeking, a quick scan of the local inventory system showed the group which section of the vault they were after. Without specific information to look for they were unlikely to determine what information in particular their master might have been after.

    With no other choice the group assigned Atellus to start sifting through the information related to the spatial coordinated they had found on Palind. The Adept was to look for any anomalies such as Imperial Navy patrols, hostile aliens, Rogue Trader reports or colony manifestoes related to the region. While the Adept worked the rest of the group aside from Corker set out through the nearby vaults intending to make a survey of the twenty-six adjoining areas. Perhaps some sign of the inquisitor would turn up.

    With the Adept absorbed in what would be at least a day of quickly sorting any seemingly relevant data Corker turned his attention to the remnant corpses in the Vault. The servitors and their mind had apparently died from blunt force trauma delivered to the skull as well as taking minor electrical damage but where otherwise intact. Pulling out hi combi-tool the Reclamator got to work cannibalising implants and part from the corpses in an effort to revive one of the Servitors.

    Hours dragged by as Atellus sifted. Even just looking at location headers and summaries of the data-crystals information it was going to takes days to sort through he basic information. The Adept had simply started collecting anything interesting and placing it into bags for later analysis. Absorbed by his task and pausing only to check in on occasion with those off scouting the Adept barely registered a presence moving stealthily up behind him.

    A deep rumbling voice quickly ordered the Adept to cease his action and turn around. On instinct the Adept reached from his vox-bead but before he could utter anything more than a few syllables the unseen voice ordered him to desist, the words emphasised with the loud click of a safety switch.

    Atellus turned about in his seat and quickly raised his hands as his eyes settled onto the gaping moar of an oversized shotgun. Beyond the shotgun was a massive figure. Draped in furs the figure was a fusion of man and machine, the skull of a Xenos-predator served as a helmet. Tis flesh was clearly genetically-enhanced and it took no time from the adept to realise he faced one of the Adeptus Mechanicus’ Skitarii.

    Busy reflecting on his work Corker was completely unaware of the commotion upstairs, in another few hours he estimated being able to bring one of the fallen servitors back to a semblance of readiness. So engrossed was he n his work that only the arrival of three Skitarri escorting Atellus down a nearby flight of metal stairs broke his concentration.

    -Raith

  3. Posted

    Demonstration Event #23

    After Action Report
    Saturday June 12, 2010

    -

    This past weekend I ran another Demonstration Day. Due to most of the Universities having their exams and the chill weather I had been expecting a very slow and quiet day. And for the most part it was.

    For the first hour I had lunch, sat about and twiddled my thumbs. A few passerby stopped to gawk at the collection and eventually Isaac turned up to keep me company.

    It wasn't until about half past three that I scored my first participant. A very young kid was trying to explain to his father about miniature games and he jumped at the chance to actually play a small demo. Which I was soundly beaten in.

    Not long after that I ran a second demonstration for an Italian couple who had recently moved to Australia while the guy was interested in the game his wife was going to paint the figures for him.

    Demo2.jpg

     

    Following their demo they asked alot of questions, what mini's to get, how to build a team, what paints are good, how to paint etc. It was a pretty in-depth conversation that lead up to closing and they walked out with a batch of paints and Kujaku-hime to start with. Though I suspect from the email I got that night they will be back for more soon.

    - Raith

  4. Posted

    These aren't definite answers but my rulings from similar questions/situations

    1.  Technicians and Tao's get thier full staring alotment in a high powered setting or about 75% in a normal and 50% in a low powered campaign.  They are essentially the pure MK classes.

    2. A couple of points less for good-quality rope.  Strong rope/silk rope is about the same strength as thick rope but usually easier to tie properly.  Cheap every day rope should be fairly easy to break free from unless its well tied.

    3. It would depend on the situation.  If the character is being flanked in a single acrobatic maneuver that is attempting to slip passed his guard then I would either just set a difficulty.  If the Magic user is busy concentrating, call for an opposed acrobatic or mundance defence roll.  If they were maintaining some sort of defensive spell the acrobatic attempt was trying to get around then it would use Magic Projection as an opposing force.

    - Raith

     

     

  6. Posted

    I think you'll find a lot of gaming companies starting to get reluctant to share news from about now until say the beginning of August.

    If I remember correctly there is a large convention then when a lot of gaming companies like to announce stuff and show off their new ideas.

    - Raith

  7. Posted

    Act 3: Unseen
    Session 10: Calixis Sector, Lathes Sub, Lathe IV (Data-Storage), 46.816.M41

    Whatever had destroyed the Servitor was gone by the time the acolytes moved to investigate only the scattered remains of the machine-man were left and precious few of those were in any identifiable state. Not wishing to linger longer the group continued their trek heading through two more abandoned and semi-crushed vaults before they were once again in working territory.

    The Acolytes passage had brought them to the floor of another data-vault this one completely in order and after a quick auspex check by Atellus apparently inhabited. A faint light glimmered from the scaffolding floors above. A single life reading registered on the auspex so under Jaleths urging the group quickly moved on hoping to sneak past rather than trusting their disquises to fool anyone who might notice them.

    As the group opened a secondary access point to descend one final time a small screech of static echoed through the vault. Weapons snapped out of holsters and scabbards as the group sought the source of the noise. For several moments they strained their senses before slowly moving onwards down the stairs.

    The floor below was as silent and empty as most of the other vaults the group had passed through. They quickly negotiated their way to the far end of the room. Only one or two more vaults lay between the group and the first of the locations Thrakis had transmitted an incomplete message from.

    In order to reach the second vault the group had to bypass a massive Mechanicus security system. A large blast-door sealed the way forward. With a nod Corker moved on up to the door and quickly overrode the machine-spirits security protocols for access and the door rolled aside.

    With the primary hatch triggered the systems in the following vault activated bathing the dark room in bright light. Cogitator stations turned over their machine-spirits moving from dormant to passive. The Acolytes paused for a few moments wary that someone else was in the room before realising it was their actions that had triggered the systems to awaken. With only another similar door located in the far wall baring their way the group hurried forward past the stacks of data-crystals and storage medium.

    A squark of static pulled the acolytes up quickly. Hands reached for weapons once more, the noise had seemingly come from behind them. A second hiss of noise quickly followed the first and then a much longer undulating series of tones.

    Someone was behind the group, in their hast they had failed to keep check of their surroundings, now horribly exposed along a sub-level with little cover aside from bookshelves the group readied themselves slowly turning to face the noise.

    A single Mechanicus Tech-Priest stood behind the group near the entrance to the Vault. The red robed figure was flanked by a pair of massive armoured servitors equipped with heavy weapons in place of their right arms.

    Staring down the barrels of such ordinance the group readied themselves as the machine-code continued to warble forth from the figure, it would only be a moment before the Tech-priest would realise that despite the robes and devices provided by Fabricator Hel, that the group had entirely organic bio-readings.

    Before anyone could react a blur of motion whirled through the room colliding with the Tech-Priest, red robes swirled as the priest flew across the massive central pit of the vault and crashed into a data-stack three levels down on the other side. A scream in techna-lingua was cut short as razor talons of lathe forged steel rent apart the figures vox-caster a moment before tearing into softer flesh.

    Stunned by the sudden attack the acolytes brought up their weapons. A quick check showed neither of the two battle-servitors had moved despite their minders sudden assault. Their aim then swept down to the Tech-priest his body a mess of blood and lubricant. Atop the corpse hunkered another figure clad in a tattered red cloak.

    The Hunter/Killer growled its machine-roar over its victory before swishing its head back and forth like a predatory beast hunting for prey. Long skeletal forelimbs reminiscent of a ulnar and radius ended in massive talons of metal clove into the steel structure of the lower level, with a single movement the creature leap from the first victim and onto the underside of the second level in defiance of gravity. The masking red cloak fell away revealing a sleek metal body without legs and a long slender tail like a mechandendrite.

    Held to the underside of the second level in part by a gravitic generator the Hunter/Killer swept forth towards the acolytes. They had wasted no time morning the Tech-Priests demise instead high-tailing it for the door to the next area where Jalith and Corker quickly worked at the controls trying to bypass the security-locks.

    As the Hunter/Killer closer the rest of the acolytes stood ready. A blast of bullets from Atellus’s autogun did little but scratch the machine, nor did a psychically assisted las round. The Hunter/Killer covered the length of the vault in seconds not even slowing as it changed its path from the underside of the level and leaping up to the top of the first floor where the Acolytes clustered.

    With a cry of defiance Magnus stepped forward unlimbering his Eviscerator his first swing went wide as the creature dodged with a side-ways lurch. In retaliation the Hunter/Killer swept out with its claws hovering aloft on anti-gravity impellors to gouge into the priests armour and flesh beneath, before Magnus could retaliate a burst of gunfire whirled around him as the rest of the acolytes attempted to assist.

    Shelves filled with the knowledge of the Mechanicus exploded as the gunfire smashed the Hunter/Killer or blazed past its sinuous movements, few rounds hit though some managed to inflict more than cosmetic damage. Bullets hailed off Magnus who grinned inside the protection of his armour. Emboldened by the apparent safety of his companion Atellus ordered his gun-skull into he fray, its mouth gaped open deploying the short range hell-gun it carried.

    The burst of powerful energy from the gun-skull was impresice rather than strike the Hunter/Killer it ducked behind Agnus using him as cover. The Priest roared out as a pair of the high-powered energy bolts worked through his armour a moment before the Hunter/Killers tail flicked around. While Magnus yelled for Atellus to stop firing the Hunter/Killer struck the tails tip glowed white-hot with accumulated power before discharging in a blast of plasma.

    Staggered by the discharge but surprisingly uninjured Magnus called out for the Emperors blessing and brought his two-handed chain blade crashing down onto the Hunter/Killer once and then twice the disruption enhanced teeth tearing through the creature in short order and leaving its remnants smoking and twitching with ruptured power systems.

    While the Acolytes breathed a sigh of relief Magnus whirled on Atellus’s Gun-skull swinging with his blade. With a curt command the Gun-skull hovered out of the enraged priests reach retreating to safety over the central pit. Without a target to reach Magnus quickly settled down and the group turned their attention to Corker who threw the final security lock opening the door the the vault beyond and the groups intended destination.

    - Raith

  8. Posted

    DEMONSTRATION EVENT #23
    Saturday June 12th 2010

    Demonstration event

    This coming Saturday, June 12th, Mind Games (City Store) will be hosting Anima: Tactics demonstrations for all those who wish to learn about the game.

    A basic demonstration takes about half an hour and even if I am busy Demoing for others I am more than happy to split my time and answer questions or multi-play the demonstrations. Even if you are not interested in a demonstration feel free to by and have a look at what is happening or if you already know how to play Anima take the opportunity to play some games.

    Those wishing to use this day to participate in matches for my Campaign: Dark is the Fallen Sky are welcome to do so.

    Location:
    Mind Games, Melbourne,. 244 Swanston Street in the heart of the CBD, Victoria, Australia.

    Time:
    12:00noon till 5:30pm, Saturday 12th June

    For specific information post questions here or email: freeagent005@gmail.com

    - Raith

  10. Posted

    Act 3: Unseen
    Session 9: Calixis Sector, Lathes Sub, Lathe IV (Data-Storage), 46.816.M41

    The information recovered from Corkers hacking and the divinations of Syrion had left little real direction for the acolytes. They knew the Inquisitor was investigating a planet and apparently search records as old as the Calixis Sector but there was no indication of why he had broken regular contact with Fabricator Hel or why his position had been logged at much lower levels of the vault.

    A quick discussion had the Acolytes on the move. They descended past suspended floors of data-stores, down to the bottom of Vault 51 and even lower descending a twisting stairway into the vault below. Over and over the group descended through nearby identical Vaults each crammed with knowledge of the Omnissiah’s followers. Each vault carried the group deeper into the data-worlds depths all the while trying to avoid as much contact with Mechanicus personnel and servitors as possible.

    The further they descended the more undisturbed their progress was as the lower Vault levels became clearly disused and abandoned. It wasn’t long before the Acolytes were forced to slow their pace the very steps and walkways they traversed suffering from neglect and inattention by more than a small handful of long forgotten servitors meandering about the levels trying to keep the stored data-records in working order while neglecting the shelves and rooms themselves.

    After hours of walking the Acolytes arrived in one of the lowest vaults. Power had long since disappeared leaving the group in the dark. Around them the vault was in shambles a seismic disturbance unchecked by the Mechanicums systems had toppled shelves of data-wafers, crushed levels together and rent holes in the walls of the vault at some point in the past. More noticble was the heat, each previous vault had been carefully cooled and regulated in temperature to prevent decay of the knowledge they contain. Within the ruined vault perspiration beaded on the Acolytes brows indicating the failure of such systems.

    Checking their location against the last contact monitored by Hel from Thrakis showed that the group had almost descended far enough they now needed to proceed across several vaults and then the true hunt would begin. As the group searched the wrecked area for exit points Jalith noticed that the darkness was not complete a fair orang glow illuminated a corner of the vault.

    Alerting his companions the assassin slipped forward towards the glow. A portion of the vaults floor seemed to have been ripped open exposing a light from below. Carefully Jalith moved forward feeling the vaults floor become unstable beneath his feet. In response the assassin dropped to his belly and slithered across the ground to the opening in the floor.

    Beneath the ruined vault was yet another but unlike their current floor this vault was illuminated and inhabited.

    Moving around the vault were a dozen Mechanicus personal, the strange orange light flared off a boiling river of magma. The superheated rock flowed through one end of the vault and into another its rampant destruction held behind a hissing static of void-shields and magnetic containment field. Rather than another vault the Tech-priests wandered about a makeshift laboratory, directing servitor and personal about various tasks.

    Before Jalith could do more than take in the sights a faint noise echoed through the Acolytes ruined vault. Metal scraped over metal and was choked off by a sudden clank. Guns where raised and safeties unlocked as the Acolytes scanned the dark so signs of the noises origin.

    Scrap, Clank. Scrap, Clank. The noise grew steadily stronger maintain a distinct tempo.

    The group split up with Jalith racing away in a flanking manoeuvre in case the Acolytes presence had been discovered. Closer and closer the noise came until a glimmer of metal drew the Acolytes lumen-beams.

    A ruined Servitor slowly manoeuvred its way through a nearby vault, its uncertain steps bolstered by leaning against a wall so riddled with jagged holes the noise was carrying into the Acolytes room. Breathing a sign of relief the group turned away from the noise to discuss their next move when an unnatural sound pierced the shadows.

    It was like the roar of a great feline jungle predator but with an undertone of static belying its artificial nature. Torch light sweep upwards towards a sudden scurrying sound and a hint of billowing red cloth was glimpsed through the rents within the vault’s wall. For a minute there was nothing but dead silence and the feeling of something unnatural stalking through the darkness. An agonised scream filled the air for a brief moment as the damaged Servitor, supposedly incapable of feeling any emotion, was ripped into pieces its vox-caster rent in twain and quickly silenced.

    - Raith

  11. Posted

    Act 3: Unseen
    Session 8: Calixis Sector, Lathes Sub, Hesh, 46.816.M41

    With the proper rituals invoked and homage payed to the machine-god the teleportation to the Lathe’s Data-world was much more comfortable than that from the Acolytes room to Fabricator Hel’s forge. The group appeared atop a raised platform of metal. A hexagonal top fell away in eight directions to a metal roadway. Each roadway terminated after several hundred meters at a bunker-like door leading into the surface of the world.

    The acolytes took a moment to take in their new surroundings, high above where the sky would have been swirled an ever violent cloud of dust and particles kept at bay by the humming barrier of a massive void-screen.

    Fabricator Hel moved ahead of the group her hair shifting as if in a breeze though the screen let none of the storms fury through. Once again the odd looking woman had the group on edge but no more than the hulking fuards standing at attention beside one of the underground access points.

    The massive Skiitari armed with assault cannon and flamer units scanned the Fabricators credentials before letting the group proceed further. The hatch led to a mass-conveyer that dropped downwards with barely a hint of motion its descent taking the group over a hundred meters into the worlds crust before depositing them in another corridor, this one filled with weaponized servitors.

    Several times the Fabricator stopped to provide clearance codes to security points and personal within the labyrinth of the data-vault until the group arrived at Vault 51 located nearly three kilometres beneath the ground and the vault which Thrakis had last reported from it was here the group would begin to track their master’s trail.

    Hel informed the group that this was as far as she would go, her presence within the vault would only cause undue attention, Hel assured the group that she would return to her laboratory and await their signal for extraction while attempting to locate any more information about Thrakis and hopefully providing some sort of distraction if anyone was monitoring her.

    The acolytes turned to their work, it was clear that the particular vault they were in contained data pertaining to the Calizis sectors planets as well as those in other nearby areas and even further afield.

    The group wandered through the vault, the massive room loomed before them. Sub-floors of steel ringed the room’s walls each massive gantry held hundreds of bookcases, the centre of the room dropped away revealing lower levels and no floor in sight. Every shelf contained hundreds of data-modules and record crystals. The Mechanicus logged everything and deleted nothing from their extensive searches of space.

    Six levels down from the vaults entry the Acolytes they arrived at the storage area where Thrakis had sent his last transmission from. A quick auspex check revealed the presence of heat signatures belonging to mechanics personnel as well as several servitors.

    Keeping a close eye on the nearest tech-adept the group went to work. While the group looked over the rows of information Ketris centered his mind and spread out his unnatural awareness dragging a sense of the past from the area.

    At first the psyker could discern little from his augury but Ketris pushed on straining his mind pealing away the grey levels of emotionless Mechanicus and servitor presences until a searing hate filled his mind, the face of a Tech-priest who machine features cast his face as that of a snarling demon dominated the feeling. Concentrating further the Psyker plucked a name from the empyrean, Librarian Beta-Alpha Barakis.

    Breaking his trance Ketris relayed what he had seen and the group conferred quietly. Thrakis had visited the world searching for Explorator records relating to coordinates recovered from the Imperial Guard facility on Palind a year and a half earlier. From Corker and Atellus’s investigation of the surrounding data-modules it seemed he was looking to the earliest days of the Calixis sector and even back into the period where it was known as the Calyx Expanse. It was possible the Inquisitor had been discovered while in the vault. While the last true transmission-fix from the Inquisitor indicated that he had been in this room two further partial contacts recorded by Fabricator Hel suggested he had proceeded deeper into the planets vaults on even lower levels.

    Needing more information Corker offered to try and create a temporary hack between his Data-slate and one of the Mechanicus cogitation-engines in the area. Despite the unease this brought several of the group for violating a machine-spirit the Reclamator knew his work and quickly had an interface running for long enough to grab a schematic of the local vault and neighbouring areas.

    Vault 51 seemed to be only the tip of the iceberg with further vaults stretching downwards and away in all directions, the room essentially served as an indexing catalogue with more accurate information located much deeper into the planet.

    - Raith

  12. Posted

    THE SEARCH FOR VICTORY
    Session 22: Calixis Sector, Scintilla Sub, "Overhive" Hive Tarsus, Scintilla 162.799.M41

    The Assassins danced around the Acolytes striking at them with blades of polished steel. With one of their number lying on the floor the group quickly stepped to taking revenge laying out one or the Assassins with a point black blast from a combat shotgun and injuring the rest with a flurry of blows and bullets.

    Despite their renewed attempts the group still felt itself being pushed back and back. Arn turned away from the combat and knelt down beside the bleeding form of Narla. The Piest had no skill with which to treat her injuries but spoke a benediction over the fallen Sister. As the words echoed over the battle a single source of flickering light appear, illuminating a ragged old man in a black leather Cassock.

    The newcomer choked out an order in accented High Gothic and immediately the assassins leapt away from the group. Both sides cautiously stood down as the old man hobbled into the church, hands still clenched around triggers and hilts but the violence was stalled.

    Struggling over to the kneeling priest the old man leant upon a battered stave of wood and metal. HE croaked out another sentence in High Gothic towards Arn but the Novice only knew the holy words by wrote and could not understand him.

    Luckily others could, Ashram and Nari-ann had learned the dialect while growing up amid the wealth of their families while Trauma had studied the holy language at the Scholum. Even with their understanding the mans words were heavy with accent. He spoke that he was the guardian of the temple and the figures in black his chosen protectors. They had not realised that one of the Emperor’s holymen had come to bless their home.

    Quickly the old man ordered his guardians to gather up their fallen and the injured Narla they then escorted the Acolytes from the chapel and back into the convent attached to the rear of the church.

    While a matron attended to the wounds of the Sororitas the old man told his story, of how his people had remained behind as the Hive grew following the scriptures that maked the church as the site of a holy rebirth and that they had spent the centuries making sure the unclean infidels of the tech-cults could not intrude upon their home like they had in the past. It was only through the repeated reassurance of the acolytes that the old man let the Tech-priest Hack, who he considered a demon of the machine to remain alive though he insisted the “demon” be locked up for the night.

    After some meagre food and more discussion the Old Man requested that if he could would Arn provide a benediction for the church and lead the morning service. Arn agreed through the translation of Trauma and in returned inquired if the Congregation had seen a small crystal like object hidden somewhere in the church. Shaking his head the Old Man informed the group that the only objects of beauty were located in the chapel but that no such item resembled the Data-crystal they had been sent to collect.

    Somewhat frustrated with the sudden lack of progress most of the group turned in for some much needed rest. Not wanting to sleep so quickly Trauma and Arl took a look through the convent. It was clear that most of the facility was barely habitable. Rooms were filled with the extended families of the faithful or shelves of rotting ecclesiastical texts considered unimportant to the Ministorum when it had moved from the place.

    Only the room shared by the Guardians was relatively well kept. The remaining trio of black clad figures had taken off their disturbing outfits only to reveal their ruined flesh scored by marks of flagellation and ritual flaying. Arl and Trauma quickly ceased their wandering after stumbling over the sight of the assassins weeping wounds and hurried back to their beds and a restless night.

    - Raith

  13. Posted

    LITTLE WARS 2010
    After Action Report
    Sunday May 23

    Well once again I attended Little Wars one of the most unique Conventions around here as it is hosted in the upper level of a private German Club with the help of a number of the local gaming groups and miniature businesses.

    I arrived at the con on time and ready to go but had to kill some time until my table was ready. After wandering around, taking in the sites getting something to drink and contemplating if it was worth waiting in line for a table in the crowded dining room I broke out the horde of figures and set up shop.

    20100323_1.jpg

    Barely had I got half a dozen people on the table before I had a couple of guys wanting to have a demonstration and as I finished getting ready it was straight into explaining the rules and fluff to passerby while guiding a couple of guys through the demo match.

    20100323_3.jpg

    For a change I made my Demo groups 150 levels BAel, Shinigami Ayl and Cheshire v Evangaline, Kronnen and Lorenzo.

    Light turned out to be the victors for the day especially when Bael failed to use her Control Bound enhanced Paralyze spell on Lorenzo who slipped past Cheshire to destroy Bael and engage Ayl in combat.

    20100323_4.jpg

    This year I was in a much bigger location with a full sized table so my figures got a lot of attention as did the demonstration matches especially the last game of the day where my team was completely crushed. The cry of victory spread around the room quickly and my opponent who runs a gaming store promised that they would soon be setting up their own Anima Demonstration night.

    20100323_5.jpg

    Like usual I ended up talking myself hoarse with little time to take a break from the questions and demonstrations but like last year it was a great event to attend

    - Raith

  14. Posted

    CAMPAIGN WEEKEND #2
    Saturday May 22
    After Action Report

    This latest weekend went by without any Campaign matches and was extremely quiet for the first couple of hours at the store. I had planned to record a full battle report of some of the random matches that occured but just when I was thinking things where going to be relaxing I was approached by a group of people from out of town who wanted to know all about the Game including a lot of background information on the various factions and characters... it was a lot of talking.

    Anyway here are some pictures of the games, first Andrew and Isaac played a small 200 level match Samael v Light.

    20100322_1.jpg

    The fight ended pretty quickly with the heavy hitters of Samael leaving only Astreaga and Daniella alive and surrounded on top of some ruins after a brutal central table clash.

    20100322_2.jpg

    The following match was played between Isaac and James this time a 250 level match again Samael v Light... though perhaps Neutral would be a better description given the number of grey units used.

    20100322_3.jpg

    The central battle for the match took place around a ruin atop a hill.

    20100322_4.jpg

    Isaac surrounded the location and swept through most of James defenses which suffered from a bout of severe luck with the battle being called a loss with only Goethia left standing an almost untouched Samael side.

    20100322_5.jpg

    Following those matches I commandeered a portion of the table and ran through a very quick briefing on the basic rules for a couple of players and the day ended with a flurry of activity.

    - Raith

  17. Posted

    Act 3: Unseen
    Session 7: Calixis Sector, Lathes Sub, Hesh, 45.816.M41

    Despite being essentially without authority to conduct a proper investigation within Mechanicus dominated territory the Acolytes set to work looking for signs of their absent master. Jalith swept the room with his Auspex searching for potential auxiliary exits beside the main door and the void-screen windows leading to the apartment’s tenth story balcony. Magnus prowled about the room itching to use his weapons while Ketris turned his mind to more esoteric and insubstantial inquiries.

    Surrounded by technology of far superior quality than usual, Atellus endeavoured to locate any recently accessed files or information within the apartments Noo-sphere relay. A small cogitator like device designed to allow non-mechanicus personal to access the info-sphere. Almost immediately the adept was overwhelmed as hololithic projections suddenly surged into the air around him and only with the intervention of Interlocutor Shiram was the Adept able to cut down on the torrent of data.

    Despite the thoroughness of their activities the acolytes turned up little and instead turned to the one fixed source of information they had. With Corker surreptitiously keeping an eye on his actions the acolytes begged Shiram to call up the last Vox-transmission sent from the rooms array. Rising from his trance Ketris took several of the acolytes aside and quietly relayed his findings. While the room was visually intact the empyrean seemed strangely disturbed as if a incursion had occurred between the warp and the real world though true specifics on the phenomena could only be guessed at.

    The Interlocutor reported that the vox transmission had unfortunately been corrupted by a high-level cipher but he could possibly retrieve the message given time. While the Tech-priest worked the group discussed their options.

    Hours dragged by until Shiram reported his efforts had been partially successful. The vox message was badly degraded, but it was clear that Thrakis had indeed sent the message. His stern voice referenced an associate located on the planet who had information about his objective but little else.

    Disappointed and at their wits end the Acolytes asked to be shown to their room which was conveniently located across the hall from the abandoned rooms of Thrakis and his cohorts.

    The apartment was as extensive as its twin. The rooms spread across half of the entire floor of the apartment complex mirroring the Inquisitors, complete with massive balcony and noo-spheric access points. Jalith once more swept the room with his Auspex while Magnus bid Shiram farewell promising the Interlocutor that should they need to travel anywhere they would call for his assistance.

    Prepared to settle in for the night it was Corker that drew the groups attention to the balcony where a strange raven sat. The bird shifted its head at looked straight at the Reclamator with is eyes, one biological the other a complex augmetic.

    The cybernetic bird continued to watch the acolytes making no threatening moves until they dropped the void-screen window. In a burst of feathers the creature swept into the room and alighted upon the back of a couch where it suddenly started up a hacking cough.

    Weapons trained onto the bird briefly before a small cylinder fell from its straining beak and onto the floor. The group examined the device until Jalith grabbed it off Corker, he immediately felt a pick of pain in his fingers as a gene-sampler tasted his blood.

    With a small hum the device emitted a pulse of light and Jaleth found he was holding a life sized holographic image of a beautiful young woman. The recording identified itself as Fabricator-Biologis Hel. The fabricator had met with Thrakis before his disappearance and had news for the Acolytes but they needed to meet swiftly to take advantage of the information. If the group agreed they were instructed to gather about the projector.

    Unsure that it was still not a trap the acolytes took a few moments to equip themselves, Magnus even went so far as to unpack a suit of Power Armour he had recently acquired for his previous service to Thrakis. As the group drew close to the device the cyber-raven cawed once and a flurry of light engulfed the acolytes.

    Pain, heat, nausea and dislocation gripped the Acolytes as they found themselves elsewhere on Hesh. About them the room steamed with the discharged energies of their teleport. Robed Mechanicus adepts soothed the machine-spirit of the device while a tiny figure in red robes presented itself before the recovering acolytes as a guide through the vast forge complex they were in.

    Time passed as the group was escorted by a variety of Mechanicus priests and servants through the labyrinthine complex of Fabricator Hels work-forge. They passed rooms filled with genetic samples, enclosures of stunning natural beauty monitored by arcane technologies and menageries of fauna waiting unknowable uses.

    Deep within the forge the group confronted their host. Surrounded by a small horde of assistants was a dais enclosed by suspended data-screens and cogitation devices. When the screens drifted away they revealed a stunning figure with tanned bronze flesh and flaming red hair. No hint of the usual Mechanicus implants or adaptations graced the beautiful visage of Fabricator Hel. Only the staccato and emotionless voice that escaped her lips revealed any sense of the expected norm for the Mechanicus.

    Hel swiftly filled the Acolytes in on her knowledge. Yes, she had seen Thrakis. The Inquisitor was searching for information located upon Lathe IV the systems Data-world. A place off limits to non-mechanicus even one of Thrakis’s standing.

    The Fabricator explained that she had helped Thrakis to infiltrate the facility using her Teleportarium as she had once been an acolyte of his in the past. Hel had equipped the Inquisitor and his aide with devices to make them seem more like Mechanicum personal to a casual information scan and that the ruse had seemed to work until Thrakis was forced to delve deeper into the Data-worlds lower recesses where contact had been lost.

    Unsure of what they would be able to accomplish where their master had failed the acolytes still needed to follow Thrakis. Hel agreed to provide them with similar equipment to their master and even to teleport them to the last known coordinates Thrakis had called from.

    As they group steeled themselves for whatever lay on the data-world Hel revealed to them that it was likely they would run into the facilities Librarians and the Hunter-Killers that they used to track intruders and other rogue elements, elements that could be responsible from the disappearance of the Inquisitor.

    - Raith

  18. Posted

    CAMPAIGN WEEKEND #2

    Saturday and Sunday May 22 and 23

    DITFS_banner.jpg

    This coming Saturday and Sunday, May 22nd and 23rd, Mind Games (City Store) will be hosting the next Campaign Weekend for Dark is the Fallen Sky.

    Even though the first weekend has lapsed and some players have taken advantage of the Demonstration days to play matches don’t feel left out. Anyone can join the campaign at any time and there is a long way to go before its conclusion in November.

    Location:

    Mind Games, Melbourne,. 244 Swanston Street in the heart of the CBD, Victoria, Australia.

    Time:

    12:00noon till 5:30pm, Saturday 8th May

    For specific information post questions here or email: freeagent005@gmail.com

    - Raith
     

  19. Posted

    DARK IS THE FALLEN SKY
    CAMPAIGN ADDENDUM: After Action Report
    May 8

    *****

    Saturday May 8 saw an additional pair of 300 level Campaign battles fought out. This time the battles occurred between The Azur Alliance and Samael and The Church against Wissenscraft.

    Azur (Jordan)
    The Colonel, Kirsten, Kyler, Arkeid and the Condemned Lovers

    Samael (Isaac)
    Fallen Angel Dinah, Bael, Momiji, Nahimana, Shinigami Ayl and Konosuke

    Azur v Samael played out in a closely fought match with both sides swaying back and forth between victory and defeat until Samael came out on top with a Clear Victory (320 v 255 VP).

    Chuch (Fallecs)
    Romeo, Azriel, Aliss Testarossa, Damien and the Saint Council

    Wissenscraft (Mechafox)
    Sophia Ilmora, Alessa Raincross, Hiro and the Assault Group

    The High Ground

    The second match between Church and Wissenscraft had a lot of debating and discussions over the rules and despite plenty of time to gain a complete outcome was cut short due to time with Wissenscraft achieving a Complete Victory 160 VP to 25

    *****

    Each player in the campaign selects a force of 400 levels, while they do not have to fully their roster at the beginning of the campaign once a purchase is made it is fixed unless a reward from a match allows a change. These 400 levels allow for an additional 40points of Advantage Cards, 1 Leader class unit and 2 Organisational advantages. The following information is the various Teams so far participating in the Campaign.

    The Teams:

    Mecha – Wissenscraft
    Character Pool: XII, Lorenzo, Rayne, Alessa Raincross, Goethia (Pilot: Mauser), Hiro, Sophia Ilmora, Khaine D’Lacreu

    Organisational Advantages: The Process, Lost Loggia

    Advantage Cards: Nullem Lusec, Ord of Power, Fate Clock, Greater Life Potion, Aura, Raphael’s Gift, After Image, Dragons Blood, Supernatural Traps, Supernatural Weapon.

    Team Cards: Assault Team

    Accumulated Exploration Points: 210
    Spent Exploration Points: 0

    Jordan – Azur Alliance
    Character Pool: High Arbiter Arkeid, Reinhold, The Colonel, Kyler, Kirsten, Claude Valmore, Drake, Cenette

    Organisational Advantages: Shadow Lords, Organisation

    Advantage Cards: Dragons Blood, Tactical Advantage, Covert Operations, Nue, Piercing Weapon, Clock of Cronos

    Team Cards: Les Jaeger, Condemned Lovers

    Accumulated Exploration Points: 305
    Spent Exploration Points: 0

    Fallecs – Church
    Character Pool: Romeo, Evangeline, Saint Astreaga, Damien, Aliss Testarossa, Nero (50 points unspent)

    Organisational Advantages: Unshakable Faith, Exterminators

    Advantage Cards: Raphael’s Gift, Supernatural Weapon, Combined Combat, Tempus Fugit (10 points unspent)

    Team Cards: Saint Council

    Accumulated Exploration Points: 105
    Spent Exploration Points: 0

    Isaac – Samael
    Character Pool: Fallen Angel Dinah, Bael, Momiji, Nahimana, Shinigami Ayl, Konosuke (90 points unspent)

    Organisational Advantages: Unassigned

    Advantage Cards: Protective Shield, Supernatural Weapon, Control Bound, Combined Combat

    Team Cards: None

    Accumulated Exploration Points: 320
    Spent Exploration Points: 0

    *****

    - Raith

  20. Posted

    DEMONSTRATION DAY #22
    After Action Report
    May 8

    *****

    Demonstration Day 22 looked like it was going to be a very quiet day, despite arriving on time and ready for a full day of teaching the store and my table sat deserted for the first hour.

    Thankfully just when I was getting ready to consider the day a loss and turn to some reading my regular crew of Campaigners arrived to liven up the room with a couple of campaign matches (See appropriate thread).

    Unfortunately I ended up having a bad camera day and none of the pictures taken turned out very good so I will spare you all the blurriness of them.

    - Raith
     

  21. Posted

    Now the main story is underway once more I have updated the beginning post with the information related to Thrakis’s newest acolytes.  I have also included some additional data i am using for my game after the primary post.

    Act 3: Unseen Threats
    Session 6: Calixis Sector, Scintilla Sub, Hive Sebillus 20.816.M41 to Lathes Sub, Hesh, 45.816.M41

    Fifteen months to the day had passed since Thrakis’s acolytes had fought back the strange uprising on Maccabeus Quintis. Eighteen months since the acolytes had any direct contact with their master. For the most they had worked with Thorr as the ex-guardsman direct them on various missions hunting down men and women, libraries of documents and ancient artefacts across the Calixis sub-sector. It had seemed liked busy work to the group as they were given little information on their objects and even less time to relax between each outing.

    Finally a month before Thorr had recalled the group and they now dined on a lavish breakfast within the private quarters of Inquisitor Thrakis within the Tricorn palace. The varied group soaked up the ambiance to various degrees, Magnus looked like it was just another day despite the fine foods, the muffled surroundings of the apartment similar to his childhood. Corker stuffed his face with as much food as he could still not able to trust his new station and the steady meals it afforded him. Jalith ate and worked on his equipment polishing a newly acquired Nomad rifle. Atellus ate and studied and studied then ate combining the two experiences into one.

    At the table also sat a pair of newcomers the first dressed in a subdues yet respectful appearance while the other crouched over his breakfast saying little and radiating a sense of wanting even less the tattooed scar of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica dominant on his forehead.

    With a hiss of pneumatics the primary door to the dining area swung inwards and Thorr stepped through the security alcove of the apartment. The multi-limbed figure doffed his sleeveless great-coat its armoured fabric slick with torrential rain that had plagued the hive for a week, the saturated clothing raised an sigh of contempt from Thrakis’s Major-domo who moved to retrieve the soiled item from over the back of a plump armchair.

    Thorr barely exchanged a glance with those gathered before grabbing a plate, piling it with food and eating silently for ten minutes before satiating his hunger and leaning back in his seat. Almost immediately Jalith and Magnus inquired as to their masters whereabouts and with a frown Thorr replied he had been out looking for just such an answer.

    Thrakis along with Aimee and several other acolytes had left of a research mission shortly after Atellus, Magnus and Jalith had been sent to Maccabeus Quintis. The Inquisitor had taken ship with Lord-Commander Octavius to the Lathes system. An area controlled by the Adeptus Mechanicus. Thrakis had been after some information possibly related to data acquired from Palind and other sources. He had last reported in two months ago on a regular schedule but the schedule was now broken by several weeks and Thorr was worried.

    Quickly the ex-guardsman outlined his orders for the gathered Acolytes. They were to travel to the Lathes system to attempt to locate Thrakis. Normally the Mechanicum domain would be off limits to the Acolytes but Thorr had seen to acquiring access permits and travel documentation. However the danger was that the Inquisition and especially Acolytes had very little direct influence on the Mechanicus and so Thorr had arranged for a little help. Gesturing with two of his mechanical arms two the unnamed men sitting at the table Thorr introduced the Acolytes to Syrion Silvertongue and Ketris who also served Thrakis. Both were capable psykers with Ketris even having experience as a direct Inquisitorial representative. The Mechanicum had little true experience with psykers and Thorr hoped they would provide some small advantage.

    Three days later the Acolytes boarded the merchant ship Potential Mistake one of the few vessels allowed regular access to the Lathes as it imported a few unique items unable to be manufactured within the system. Captian Christov Illuchii provided a grand table for the Acolytes to dine at each night and regaled them with tales of his ancestors. While his family had been a minor noble house they had just received a Warrant of Trade and were branching out into the greater universe a fact that Christov praised by also wished upon younger people than he.

    The trip to the Lathes last a month with the Warp-tides favouring the Potential Mistake for its journey. As the vessel shed the Immaterium it was soon confronted by system ships of the Mechanicus, the sleek boxy vessels outgunned any warp ship of a similar size and the Potential Mistake stood down and allowed a customs Yacht to dock.

    This was the first time the Acolytes had run into the hulking forms of Skitarii, the Mechanicums elite troops. Bio-engineered and cyberneticly enhanced super-humans nearly the same size as the legendary Space Marines and just as deadly. The Skitarii marched through the ship examining the passengers their gear and the vessels cargo before declaring that Captain Christov was to proceed towards Hesh the largest of the three worlds of the Mechanicum and to follow the precise course he had flown on the dozens of previous trips he had made.

    After twenty-two days aboard the Potential Mistake the acolytes were met by a Mechanicus orbital-to-surface lander, the machine cult trusting only to their own machines to load and unload cargo from orbital vehicles. The landing vessel swiftly deposited the acolytes on the surface of Hadd. The planet sat in a close trinary orbit about the Lathes star, the giant sun hang large and orange in the sky its immense gravity warping space.

    As servitors trundled to take the Acolytes baggage others moved to direct them into a nearby hatch, even a few minutes outside of the planet spanning cities radiation walls was starting to lightly burn the acolyte’s skin and they stepped inside.

    A short elevator ride took them down beneath the armoured skin of the world and into the waiting presence of Artificer Shiram-AX1 and Interlocutor for the Imperium to the Mechanicum. The Interlocutor stood just over five and a half feet tall and dressed in a plain red cassock, the long robe trailing to the floor. The acolyte’s information from Thorr indicated the adept had met with Thrakis and had been his guide.

    Interlocutor Shiram led the group through the corridors of Hadd, it was quickly apparent that the Acolytes would have little ability to navigate the hallways, each corridor appearing exactly like the previous, all the same height and shape, appearing devoid of individual marks until Interlocutor Shiram revealed that the world was Noo-spherically active and that to his eyes and other Mechanicus personal their world was filled with information, light and sounds to guide them.

    An hour long ride in a maglev car along a specially shielded transit tube gave the group a look at the surface of the forge world, the spire like Manufactorum and research centres. The miles of open metal shrouded ground of testing ranges and Genetorium flashed past and the group arrived at a large adamantium and transparent plasteel. Inside the dome sat a wonder of the Mechanicum, a verdant and green zone of organic life, trees, grass and wildlife flourished amid tall buildings and research stations.

    Interlocutor Shiram Explained that the dome was home of the Magos Biologis of the Lathes who used the dome to examine the science of nature be it fauna and flora. The Mechanicum also used the dome as a place where guests from outside the cult could stay without being overwhelmed by the all encompassing presence of the Machine God.

    Finally the Acolytes arrived at the apartment facility that Thrakis had been assigned it was quickly apparent that neither Thrakis nor Aimee were in residence. The multi-room complex was simple in design but filled with wonders of technology unseen beyond a forge-world, the room even possessed a secured personal vox-station and non-mnemonic Noo-sphere terminal. No signs of forced entry or a hurried departure could be found and only a few scattered personal effects revealed that the Inquisitor and his aid had even been there in the first place.

    Wasting no time the Acolytes asked if there were access logs to the room. Interlocutor Shiram quickly confirmed there were, the last recorded entry to the room was eight days prior and it had been people entering the room. No sign in the logs or the security systems outside of the room indicated anyone leaving. With the last logged entry being during the Acolytes transit time from Scintilla they asked Interlocutor Shiram if Thrakis or his allies had used the Mechanicums communications facilities. Once more the Interlocutor checked through the Vox-casters systems determining that two weeks before the system had sent a transmission to the Astropathic relay station located on the very edge of the system as well as a message three weeks before that and the same before then indicating at least two messages that had never been received by Thorr.

    *****

    The Following Data is what I told my players about “the Lathes” before they left on their mission, I thought I would present it here for use by other GM’s if they wish.  There is a bit of information on the Lathes in the main DH Rulebook and others such as the IH and CA but I wanted to expand on it a little.

    +++DATA ADDENDUM+++
    +++PLEASE ENTER SECURITY CODE AND PREPARE FOR GENETIC SAMPLING+++

    +++CODE CONFRIMED+++

    +++SAMPLE COMFIRMED+++

    System: Lathes, The
    Location: Calixis Sector
    Star Type: RX-3 (Large Orange Sun transforming to Red Dwarf)
    Celestial Features: 12 Significant features – Het, Hesh, Hadd (Trinary Orbitals); Lathe IV (Data-storage); Vault LSS-V-C (Collegia Titanicus); Lathe VI (Agri-world); Lathe VII (Agri-world); Asteroid Field (Planetary remnant); Lathe IX to XII (Barren Worlds)
    Tech Level: 14, Mechanicum Forge
    Adepta Presence: Extensive Mechanicus.

    Point of Interest: Het, Hesh, Hadd
    Celestial Position: 1st orbital position from the systems primary.

    The three Mechanicus Forge Worlds of Het, Hesh and Hadd are located at the extreme internal edge of the Lathes “Green Zone” the planets are classified as habitable but experience massive gravitic distortions caused by the systems massive star as well as the interplay of the three worlds on each other. This gravitic resource allows the Mechanicus to manipulate materials in unique ways.

    Hadd is the only plaent among the three to see representatives of the greater Imperium the other worlds belong to the MEchanicum entirely and are off limits even to the Inquisition. All the worlds are sheathed in the metal of research buildings, factories and laboratories, the surface of these planets is bathes in excess radiation from the sun that caused severe epidermal damage within twenty minutes of exposure.

    For the most part Het, Hesh and Hadd have only a small population even given their smaller than oridinary planetary size. The Mechanicum uses extensive servitor labour across these planets.

    Point of Interest: “the Vault”
    Celestial Position: 3rd orbital position from the systems primary.

    Vault LSS-V-C is the location of a small barren planetoid barely larger than a moon. The Mechanicum stopped the planets rotation when seeded control of the system. They turned the entire planet into a hollow construction and induced artificial gravity on it where needed. The majority of this planet is given over to the storage of Titans many of which fought during the Angevin crusade.

    System Addendum: The Lathes is home to 12 distinctive orbital objects aside from those specifically identified the system also contains a pair of Agri-wolrds and numerous barren rocks used from mineral resources. The Lathes is almost 100% self sufficient requiring goods only of the most exotic form to be shipped in from the wider Imperium.

    The Mechanicum maintain a death-grip on this system no vessel approaching it goes unchallenged. The Mechanicus has the ability to produce extremely powerful ships to guard its interest, especially without the need for such vessel to be Warp-capable. Only the rarest of captains are able to negotiate with the Mechanicum for the right to trade with them or make use of their facilities.

    - Raith
     

  22. Posted

    THE SEARCH FOR VICTORY
    Session 21: Calixis Sector, Scintilla Sub, "Overhive" Hive Tarsus, Scintilla 162.799.M41

    The abandoned Adeptus buildings loomed large in the grey light provided by insufficient torches as the acolytes examined their surroundings. Having been awake for over 36 hours much of which had been filled with combat against cultists and abhuman primitives as well as the simply pressure of anxiety as they had worked there way into the abandoned Hive sections had finally caught up to the group and they searched for a defensible spot to rest.

    An old Munitorum building seemed the best candidate, its bunker like structure devoid of windows and equipped with a large and heavy door. A quick inspection of said door showed that without power restraining bolts had locked it closed, but thankfully Hack the groups newly rescued Tech-priest was able to restore enough power through an auxiliary lock to release the bolts.

    The small building contained a large administration office at its front with a heavy vault-door leading into an armoury tunnel and another corridor flanked by rooms for housing, self-contained power generator and private offices. The group briefly considered examining the passageway beyond the large vault door but quickly dismissed the idea as fatigue caught up with them. They closed the vault, established a quick watch rotation and bunked down in the ancient facility while Hack keep himself occupied trying to restart ancient machine-spirits within the buildings independent power-system.

    About four hours after there impromptu camp was located Hack awoke Arn for his turn at watch reporting he was unable to revive the plasma-spirits successfully so the priest grabbed a lumen-stick and moved into the front room. It didn’t take long until Arn realised his was not the only source of light, the area beyond the bunkers front entrance was lightening and soon distinct traces of torch light and a rhythmic clunking noise could be heard.

    Swiftly waking several of the nearby Acolytes the priest poked his head out of the buildings door. Almost instantly he was blinded by a surge of light as a torch beam swept over his position, but the glimpse was enough to spot a small unit of men armed in flak armour and equipped with lasguns marching through the area. At their head trundled a mobile weapon platform, its tracked wheels similar in design to a thunderfire weapon of the Adeptus Astartes rattled against the metal of the Overhives floors.

    The group of armed men drew closer to the acolytes resting place, quiet conversation between the group was cut off by curt orders to keep alert for any movement. Hoping to get a better estimate on the number of potential opponents Ashram slipped over to the doorway and tried to peek out but the movement was spotted and a shout raised in alarm. Lasgun drew a bead on the doorway as Ashram pulled his head back. The acolytes raised their weapons to the opening and waited hoping the movement might be overlooked.

    A terse order from the newcomers sent the weapon platform rumbling up to the opening, the group had previously ran into some of the Overhives denizens and where unwilling to take any chances. The noise of an ignition switch chimed as the weapon moved into position and the scent of promethium filled the air.

    The Acolytes raced for safety rushing down the bunkers corridor and into the bunk room slamming its door shut a few seconds ahead of the weapons discharge. Flames filled the complex igniting and incinerating any combustibles, flooding through any opening.

    The Inferno last a long minute with the Sisters of Battle learning against the rooms door to keep it closed and the deadly fire out. The surface of the door warped in the heat and it took a few moments to pry it from the lintel when they felt the heat diminish.

    The Acolytes picked their way through the blackened corridor of their sanctuary. Anything that could burn had been consumed. The flames had been so intense that the entrance to the Munitorum depot glowed orange where the flames had entered. Carefully the acolytes checked the door and then the open area beyond. The squad and its support weapon continued to march through the area apparently satisfied that they had killed or driven off any hostiles, their line-of-march heading across the area towards an ancient Mechanicum facility abutting the massive support pillar.
    Not wanting to risk a confrontation with such a heavily armed group the acolytes declined to send Ashram to follow closer despite the encompassing darkness of the location, the squads lights made tem a visible if monotone target and the group simple followed at an extreme distance.

    The armed squad stopped before the ancient Machine-cult building, the massive edifice rested about a hundred meters from the Acolytes over destination. A pair of the armoured figures took up a post with the heavy weapon by the facilities primary entrance while the rest vanished within. While the armed men were not in their direct path the Acolytes dismissed the idea of trying to work around them, leaving such a threat behind them could be disastrous so again they waited, lights out, in the dark.

    An hour rolled by and it was clear the inactivity of the guards had finally caused them to relax, they wandered about barely bothering to pay attention to their dark surroundings confident their heavy weapon would be a suitable deterrent. Before the acolytes could even begin to take advantage of the situation a subtle flicker of movement drew their attention to the Ministorum building they needed to reach.

    The massive doors of the church slowly opened a slim gap and a pair of figures clad in tightly fitting black leather slipped through the space. They glided on silent feet towards the nearby guards, racing down the steps of the church and across the open ground as the men chatted to each other. Spotlights from the weapon platform flashed on blades wielded by the figures and the first man was transfixed by a pair of blades silently with the second man unable to release the gathered scream from his chest as he choked on the second figures blades.

    The gruesome deaths occurred without hesitation and a moment later the Acolytes were alone as the assailants vanished into the Mechanicum facility. With no better opportunity and little time to think over the appearance of the silent killers the Acolytes raced towards the Church. Half way to the buildings sprawling steps Technomancer Hack and Trauma Bles changed their heading moving towards the abandoned Flamer Platform. The tech-priest freed the systems controls and quickly trundled it towards the church while the acolytes watched in confusion from the steps.

    Initially hoping to traverse the weapon to the top of the steps it was quickly apparent it would only topple over on such a steep incline and Hack abandoned the machine but not before using his knowledge to safely disable its control-spirit. The group would use the device on the way out if necessary.

    Briefly the acolytes paused on the threshold of the once gold-inlayed church doors, the room beyond hidden in total darkness aside from a single pillar of light. Weapons were checked and the group raced inside intent on finding the object of their foray as quickly as possible.

    Eyes scanned the ancient pews and faded murals of the church before settling upon the rooms single source of light provided from a single still functioning spotlight in the churches rafters.

    Hunched within the circle lay a body draped in black shell-like armour. The acolytes recognized the uniform of an Arbitrator and moved to its side throwing caution to the wind to check if the figure was still alive.

    That had been all that was needed to make the ambush complete. Four figures dressed in from fitting black leather dropped from the rafters. Each was armed with twin swords, silver rapier-like blades flashed in the low light seeking the acolyte’s vitae. The cultist’s leather suits were sticked together in random patterns, the bindings a scrawl of debased language almost mind-numbingly complex in its sadism. Despite the profanity Trauma yelled out a call to the God-Emperor as her faith took hold, the Sister reacted alone among her stunned companions meeting the ambush head on while they rallied.

    Within moments the church echoed with the sounds of conflict as blades rang against blades, shotguns blared out at exposed bodies and flesh was parted by metal. The assailants fought with a quiet fury quickly distracting multiple acolytes while one of the assassins closed on Sister Narla.

    Blades flashed, biting deep into the Sororitas’ thighs, first one then the other. The savage blows felling the Battle Sister in a single flourish. With one of their number down and several others bloodied the fight took on a desperate pitch as the apparently unconscious Arbitrator laying on the stone floor beneath the fighting acolytes rolled onto his back and fired his shotgun...

    - Raith
     

  23. Posted

    Lord Blackstaff said:

    Heylo, I'm one of new guys popping in to see what this campaign was all about. The entirely unlovabel LB :P. It's looking pretty interesting so far, and I'll be looking forward to playing through this year.

    I found last years campaign thread, which for those interested, is located here:

    http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_foros_discusion.asp?efid=70&efcid=3&efidt=139278&efpag=0

    Unfortunately, the first year of the campaign doesn't seem to be available. The thread is located here:

    http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_foros_discusion.asp?efid=70&efcid=3&efidt=2432

    But it won't be much help for you lot as all the info's blanked out. I checked backwards 20 odd pages to see if Raith had made any new threads, but could find any. If ya have, please do tell. The forum search sucks so badly it could only find 'That which is made stronger.', I had to manually search for the other two threads.

    Also, do you mind if I do a little bit of extended background on my character. I like fleshing characters out as it creates a bit more of a solid construct in my head. Especially if they're already bordering on officially crazy...

    Try this one for "What doesn't kill you..." (Campaign 1)

    http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_foros_discusion.asp?efid=101&efcid=3&efidt=5027

    The other thread was blank due to some forum issues when the new board first went up.

    I have no problems with extended background for characters, just double check with me first.

    - Raith

  25. Posted

    Welcome back to the game.

    Yes Initiative is now rolled at the beginning of each turn.

    Yes you can use Free Movement before a Move action.  But only as a reaction to an opponent declaring a Character activation, not as an interupt to his move, nor can you use it if he intends to attack immediately following the characters movement.  You also can only make one movement a turn per character so if you were thinking free move then make a move with the same character that can't happen)

    The best way to look at this is...

    When a player chooses to activate a character before they do anything specific with that character they should give their opponent a chance to react with one of their characters taking a Free Move, after that point the Player continues his activation and the turn proceeds as normal.

    At least, thats the best way I can figure out emplying the rule as there is a lot of forgetfulness at my gaming table.

    - Raith

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