40 K Game?

[B4UTRUST]

Inquisitor Gravin El-Vectis, Ordo Xenos
Follower of the Xanthism school of thought.

History:
Born on Kraten VII, a mid-sized hiveworld towards the eastern fringe. During his seventeenth year of age his world came under the attack by a genestealer cult that had long been active in his world, hidden from the eyes of man. The cult was quite successful and had been for multiple generations. It had infilitrated the upper echelons of society, having cultists in the Arbites, Administratum and upper class citizens.

During an investigation by a group of Arbites into reports of corruption within their own ranks they uncovered members of the cult within their own ranks. As the investigation went further the truth was unveiled concerning the cult. A call was put out for help and soon the cult attacked, their secrets uncovered and having nothing to lose.

An Inquisitor of the Ordo Xenos arrived on planet. What occured afterwards was archived and encrypted, out of the hands and away from the eyes of the common person. A cleansing force went through the planet, rooting out the cult wherever it layed. It was during this time that Inquisitor Jaeger discovered Gravin during his investigation. Following the destruction of the cult Gravin was taken on the Black Ship of the Inquisitor, The Hour of Judgement.

Gravin's psychic abilities were tested and his mind found suitable enough to be of use to the Imperium. He was sent to train in the Psykana. After his time of study in the Psykana Gravin was once more taken by Inquisitor Jaeger. This time he was taken as an interrogator to complete his training and become initiated into the ranks of the Inquisition.

After a number of years Inquisitor Jaeger petitioned the sector Inquisitor Lord to promote Gravin to full Inquisitor status. The petition was passed and Gravin was inducted as a full Inquisitor. He has served in that role for nearly a decade now, rooting out the corrupt touch of the xenos within the Imperium.

Psychic powers:
Blood Boil, Regenerate, Warp Strength, and Mind Scan

Equipment:
Gravin firmly believes in the theory of command from the front, eagerly stepping into battle and his weapons reflect this. He has a mix of close-combat and ranged weapons that allow him to confront a range of foes. His arsenal includes a flamer, neural shredder, a power sword and a handful of digiweapons as well as a storm bolter.

He most commonly wears power armor adorned with seals and marks of holy faith as well as pentagrammic and hexagrammic wards. His armor is painted the same black as those of the Deathwatch Astartes, though where their chapter emblem would be on their shoulder guard his displays the Inquisitorial -][-. Over the armor he wears a set of plain grey robes with a hood over his head.

He also has a single hunter servo-skull.

Retinue:
2 Arco-Flagellants; Ezekial-1190 and Angelus-3462. Ezekial is equipped with a pair of electro-flails and a combat stimm injector rig containing 'slaught, psychon, reflex, and barrage. Angelus is equipped with a pair of cutting claws and a combat stimm injector containing spur, 'slaught, barrage and reflex.

1 enforcer; Damien Ernsby. Mercenary for hire that served with a few rogue traders in his day before attaching onto Gravin's group. An accomplished marksman and prone to near blood frenzied states in the midst of battle. His weapons include a Lascannon and a pair of bolt pistols and carapace armor.

4 Cannon Fod-errr... Vet. Imperial Guardsmen(15th Penal Legion [The Hands of Redemption]): Lt. Ari Calad, Sgt. Brion Corcer, Pvt Ubbal Dyson and Pvt Cal Archer. Calad carries a lasgun, combat knife and standard issue guard armor. Corcer uses a combat shotgun. Dyson and Archer are issued las pistols.

Cynical, I'll gladly change the retinue based on your thoughts since I'm really not all that sure what type of group your average inquisitor could, would or should have. Again, my knowledge of the inquisitors is primarily restricted to what I've picked up from the inquisitor main book, eisenhorn and ravenor and what I've read in the inquisitor war trilogy so far.

[Charon]

Name: Vibius Julius Pennus
Chapter: Omega Legion
Veteran, Principe Centurion.

Equipment: Powersword, bolter, kraken and inferno round, grenades.

Chapter History: The Omega Legion were a chapter that came from the cursed 21st Founding. Unlike many of their fellow chapters however, they do not seem to suffer from any curse. At least, not yet, or not noticable. The Omega Legion is mainly stationed in the galactic SouthWest of the Eye of Terror and are known to be a very large chapter, how large is known only to the Legion. Their geneseed hails from the Ultramarines, though rumors abound that loyalist Iron Warriors and Alpha Legion were used as well.

Omega Legion is broken up into an unknown number of Legions, which number 600 marines each. Each of these legions are broken up into 10 Cohorts, which are broken down into three maniples, which are broken down into 2 ordines. Additionally they do not have a First Company filled with Veterans but instead choose to spread their Veterans among the legions, where their experience is seen as better used.

The Legion does not have a homeworld, instead most of their legions travel in the deep of space in massive fleets so that they may react to dangers faster. Many of the worlds in the area have upon them a Legionary fort to train new recruits or serve as planetside training. Despite some misgivings the Inquisition may have about the chapter, they have a long and impressive record of fighting the enemies of the Imperium, primarily among them the forces of Chaos. Combined with no knowledge of the actual size of Omega Legion, the Inquisition holds off on deeper scrutiny of the chapter.

Among the chapters foes primarily falls the forces of Chaos, but more often than not they also find themselves against the Eldar and the Orks. The chapters relations with other Astartes chapters are rather touch and go as more often than not the Omega Legion takes on a "we won't bother you if you don't bother us" approach.

Battlecry: Terra Victor!

Chapter Symbol:

Personal History: Vibius was born on one of the many worlds that Omega Legion has a fort on. At a young age he was picked up by the Legion and underwent training with the Fifth Legion, serving as a Hastrati he quickly went up the ranks, serving in many conflicts against Orks and Eldar in the Scarus sector and the Helican Subsector where he proved himself time and time again. Gaining Veteran status Vibius helped in pushing back a Chaos assault on Justice Rock and his troops were principle in defending Avignor from an Ork Waagh that threatened to take the planet. It was this heroic action where he personally faced the Ork Warboss and defeated him that got Vibius inducted into the Deathwatch.

--------------

Anything you feel is out of place or fucked up feel free to tell me CC.

[SirNitram]

Name: Malavius Rendavius
Chapter: Duskguard(Exiled)
Survivor.

Equipment: Eldar Fusion Pistol, Shriuken Pistol. Makeshift armour coupled with Black Carapace equal to full Carapace Armour. Plasma grenades. Holobelt.

Chapter History: The Duskguard are largely unknown, and thus the subject of numerous rumours. These include being a Cursed Founding chapter, of dangerous rites performed in their inner sanctums, of mysterious illnesses that afflict the Marines during Warp Travel and render them huge, half-insane brutes who sprout weapons from their very skin, and tales of what they do to any Brother found to harness Psykker powers.

The truths remain hidden, but it is known the Chapter holds no Psykkers at all, and appears to hold trace amounts of the Pariah gene in their very geneseed. They have exceptional skill with technology; this is reflected in their large numbers of Techmarines without any contact with Mars. Accusations of Technoheresy are common, and several prominent members have undergone exiles to save the Chapter from retribution by the Machine Cult.

The Chapter also holds barely-civilized revilement of the Ordo Hereticus and the Ministorum, beleiving both to be a corruption of the Emperor's intentions. They revere the Ordo Malleus as the only Ordo created by the Emperor. The Ordo Xeno occupies somewhere between the two; they are respected and worked with.

The Chapter's battle-tactics revolve around siege warfare and patience. However, it has been noted that the entire force will often go near-berserker in the presense of Iron Warrior Chaos Marines. The reason remains unknown.

Battlecry: In Death, Redemption!

Personal History: Malavius was born and raised on one of the Duskguard worlds, and was picked relatively early(For his Chapter) at the age of thirteen. He showed the great aptitude for technology the Duskguard hold so highly in regard, and quickly became a noted Techmarine, capable of in-battle repairs with a minimum amount of gear.

On a battle with the Tau on a distant world, he made the act that broke the proverbial camel's back, and created an Imperium/Tau hybrid vehicle from ruined parts to finish the armoured spearhead he was in. This hybrid, while advanced, was seized by the Cult Mechanicus, and he was sentenced to Exile to assauge the bruised egos of the followers of the Omnissiah.

He entered service with a Rogue Trader for several years before crash-landing on an Eldar Exodite world when the ship was beset by the Ork Raiderz that were enroute there. He then committed the Heresy of aiding the aliens against their common foe. As months turned to years, to decades, he earned the trust of the local clan and replaced his rapidly deteriorating wargear with their own.

He would eventually leave the world when he sufficiently impressed a visiting Harlequin with his honourable methods and gunplay. He was taught the secrets of using the Webway safely, and has since emigrated back into Imperium territory.

He has worked with the Ordo Xenos, primarily as a scout and tracker. He is far from the normal Marine to enter their service; as a result, he is not considered Deathwatch.

Retinue: None, however, he is owed honour debts by several Craftworld, Pirate, and Harlequin Eldar. They will never be answered if the actions called for involve striking at the Eldar races or set against their mileenia-long plans.

[The Village Idiot]

termanators, land raiders, and dreadnaugts.....but no gods or pyskers.

i could be up for that

[GeneralTacticus]

B4UTRUST: I can't speak for CC, obviously, but a few notes on your retinue:

- The Ecclesiarchy controls the creation and distribution of Arcoflagellants, and tend to favour more puritanical Inquisitors. A junior Xanthite (the proper term, FWIW - /nitpick) without much in the way of connections would likely have a hard time obtaining any.

- Having not one but two Assassins seems rather excessive to me (<= severe understatement). These guys are not common. Worse, Eversors are blood-crazed killing machines that spend all of their non-combat time in suspended animation, and Culexus assassins are specialised anti-psyker killers - not likely to be more permanently attached to an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor. I doubt an Inquisitor, especially a psychic one, would want one around all the time anyway - normal people can hardly stand to be in the same room, and it's worse for psykers.

If you want to bring as Assassin (and CC approves) I'd recommend a Vindicare or Callidus. Both are capable of functioning semi-normally in society (hell, that's what the Callidus are for), and are, in general, useful to an Inquisitor outside of a straight "kill everything that moves" situation. If you want straight combat utility, I'd suggest a Vindicare; if you want a more general-purpose intelligence gatherer, you want a Callidus.

- As for what kind of retinue an Inquisitor could have - pretty much any kind of human (or, for the more radical types, even aliens) you can think of might have a place in an Inquisitorial retinue. The only ones that would be a bit iffy are the extremely uber types like Assassins and Space Marines, and of course heretics would only be employed by renegades or highly Radical Inquisitors.

Oh, and a more general note on your Inquisitor's backstory - Genestealer cults are extremely long-term affairs. It takes four generations to start producing purestrain Genestealers, a Magus, and a Patriarch (who will send out the psychic beacon to summon the Hive Fleet). If a Genestealer cult was active on Kraten VII and drew the attention of an Inquisitor, odds are it had been there for several generations at least. Not a major point, but something to bear in mind.

[GeneralTacticus]

Also, on the subject of Force weapons - it should be noted that the Force Sword Barbarisater, wielded first by Eisenhorn's follower Arianrhod Esw Sweyrd, and later by Eisenhorn himself, did much more than just act as an improved power weapon. When psychic energy was channeled into it, it appeared to grant Eisenhorn greatly increased speed (in Malleus, during Eisenhorn's duel with Quixos, he refers to exchanging twenty blows "in the time it takes to draw a breath" - far beyond his usual abilities), mild precognition (Eisenhorn frequently refers to the blade feeling and reacting to incoming blows before he did), and it was also able to sense the presence of Chaos and other psychic energy. Whether this is something unique to Barbarisater, or common to all Force weapons to some degree, I'm not sure.

[Cynical Cat]

The Imperial Assassins are absolutely forbidden as retinue members.

Chain Halberds are good. Carrying a heavy bolter and a lascannon at the same time is not. A heavy bolter with a Kraken rounds will tear up heavily armoured targets, so a heavy bolter with a mix of ammo might be you best bet. Or a heavy plasma gun which can fire sustained bursts or full power blasts if you want a mix of burst and heavy blasting fire.

The origin of Eisenhorn's abilities during the climax of Malleus is unclear. Eisenhorn is clearly has a powerful psychic link with the weapon, perhaps magnifying his related abilities, but it could also be that Eisenhorn's psychic abilities increasing at the same time the sword was remade. As for speed, he was able to slow down the superhuman speed of Quixos when he crossed blades with him so the whole bit is tricky.

The arcoflagellants are good. The young inquisitors Xanthite are a factor only if the Ecclesiarchy knows about them and the team is travelling under the loose command of a revered Inquisitor Lord who certainly could grant him several arcoflagellants.

[GeneralTacticus]

And here's the retinue. Let me know if there's anything here that's unacceptable.

(And yes, I'm well aware that these characters will be shredded if they try to take on anything that could challenge a squad of veteran Deathwatch. Their role in such combats will basically be to hide behind the Servitors and try not to wet themselves.)

Sebastian Nedolo, Enforcer:

Profile:

General: Born in the Underhive regions of Draconis Primary, Sebastian was determined to make his way up in society. Rather than join one of the myriad criminal gangs that filled the Underhive, he chose to join the planetary government’s feared Enforcers, where his investigative, combat and leadership skills earned him steady advancement, and, in due time, a posting out of the Underhive. Unfortunately, his honesty and refusal to overlook lawbreaking among the wealthy first stalled his career and then got him posted back to the Underhive, right where he’d started.

Some time after this, Inquisitor Toran came to Draconis Primary, investigating a xenotech smuggling ring. When she requested help from the planetary authorities, they sent Sebastian as part of the liaison squad, as much to get him out of their hair as anything else. In the course of the investigation, Sebastian greatly impressed Halima with both his skills and devotion to the Imperium, and she offered him a place on her staff, which he eagerly accepted.

Equipment: Fairly standard Arbites/Enforcer gear (Combat shotgun, power maul, suppression shield, carapace armour), though of a higher quality than usual, along with a web pistol, and a variety of specialist ammunition and grenades.

*

Sgt. Theda Denisov, Guard Veteran and Untouchable:

Profile:

General: Theda Denisov was born on the ice-world of Valhalla. She was an outgoing child, but for no reason anyone could discern, others tended to feel uneasy in her presence, and often shunned her. Eventually, frustrated by her semi-ostracisation, she joined one of Valhalla’s justly famous Imperial Guard regiments in the hope of a fresh start. There she served with distinction for a number of years, achieving the rank of Sergeant and several commendations for bravery, and earning the respect of her troops in spite of the unexplained uneasiness they felt in her presence.

Theda first came to the attention of the Inquisition during the defence of the Sartek system against the forces of Waaagh Gaznog, a warlord noted for his extensive use of the Ork psykers known as “Weirdboyzâ€

[B4UTRUST]

Alright, as I said I have no problems with dropping, changing or adding anything involving my group as I have no realistic point at which to look at a common inquisitor(You can't really look at Draco, Eisenhorn or Ravenor as common inquisitors). So I'll drop the assassins, and with C/C's permission and possible help try to figure out something else.

He stated the high bar was set at kill vet space marines. So I started thinking assassins could possibly do that and not get slaughtered en masse themselves if they're good enough. Other then that I have no preference with them either way.

Thanks for the info General, Cynical.

[Cynical Cat]

Tacticus your entire retinue is carrying forcefields. Not just the inquisitor, or one, or two, but the entire group. No.

Let me clarrify on the retinue points: you shouldn't rethink it because they aren't bad enough, you should be prepared to lose combatant retinue members if a serious fight breaks out. The bar is set at marines. That doesn't mean your retinue gets powered up, you're not senior inquisitors. That means your retinues bleed in a fight.

Assassins are forbidden not because they aren't bad ass, but because only a PC should be playing them at this point. They are too bad ass for your retinues. Trained and well equipped killers, death cultists with shiny gear, highly trained throne agents are all good. The uber killing machine of the Officio Assassinorium are not.

The job of the inquisitor's retinue is not to outshine everyone else who is playing a single marine. If you don't like the idea of the potential loses, go without or confine it to a few advisory type characters and some red shirt stormtroopers or something. Plenty of Inquisitors don't have regular retinues.

[GeneralTacticus]

Force-fields removed. I've left Yen Mia with the displacer field; my thinking is that since she hates fighting, a) she'd definitely want something like that; b) she's unlikely to use it as more than an aid to running the fuck away.

Is that acceptable?

And is there anything else I need to change?

[Cynical Cat]

Its good Tacticus. Forcefields, especially displacer fields, are rare and expensive items but if anyone is going to have one a xeno archeologist and former rogue trader would be high on the list.

[B4UTRUST]

Oh I don't mind losses, hell I expect most of my group to die during the course. Probably multiple times. I admit it was a bit of an attempt to go "Well hell, lets see if I can think up something big enough to do this with" rather then what would immediatly make for a better game. For that I appologize.

Instead of assassins then, could I instead take a group of last chancers?

[Cynical Cat]

Imperial Guard veterans are definitely a go.

[B4UTRUST]

General, and your point on the Genestealer cults is taken under advisement. Thanks again for the information. While not altering my background I'll move to say that the cult had been there for awhile(the four or greater generations required) but did not overtly act until the time stated in the backstory. There were suspicions but it wasn't until this time that it became fully evident that the cult was in place which was what drew the actions that resulted. If that makes sense.

[GeneralTacticus]

It makes perfect sense. The typical MO of a Genestealer cult is to gradually infiltrate important institutions such as the planetary government, the PDF, etc, over a period of generations, but not take overt action until the Hive fleet is knocking on their doors and they can cause maximum disruption to the planet's defence. If they're discovered, they may act earlier, but they prefer not to.

And you're welcome.

CC: Coolness.

Actually... thinking about redshirts, would it be OK if I reduced the Servitor numbers to two with lascannons, and included a squad of Vessorine Janissaries instead? Or, if they're too much, Stormtroopers or regular Guard veterans instead.

[GeneralTacticus]

Oh, and out of curiousity, what sort of time period and location are we talking about?

[Cynical Cat]

Tacticus retinue change approved.

You'll be working out of the Inquisition Black Ship Burden of Judgement at the end of M41.

[B4UTRUST]

Edited my backhistory to reflect the more accurate nature of a genestealer cult infilitration and fleshed out some of the details.

[SirNitram]

Any commentary on mine, or is he good to go, apart from odd looks from most of the gang?

[Cynical Cat]

You're good to go Nitram. In fact everyone is.

[GeneralTacticus]

Janissaries added.

Also, Theda has been edited somewhat; she's now an Untouchable rather than a Pyromancer. I thought one psyker was probably enough.

[White Haven]

Name: Damon Grayson
Nemesis Marine, Zweihanders chapter


When it was detected, soon after being chosen for the opportunity to serve the Zweihanders, that Damon was a psyker, the assumption became that if he proved worthy, he would become a Librarian of the chapter. That impression lasted until shortly after he received his final implants, when further testing and training uncovered the fact that while his talents were reasonably potent, his reach was severely limitted. That made him unsuitable for a position as a Librarian, but perfect for the recently-formed Nemesis squads. Faced with repeated Dark Eldar attack, the Zweihanders had formed assaults squads dedicated to countering their threat; psyker-marines armed with nemesis halberds and equipped with jump packs. There, his limitted range would not be a detriment, but instead add focus to his training, both in channeling energies through a nemesis weapon, and in defending himself and controlling his own flight.

When word of the recently-formed Nemesis squads finally filtered outwards from the Zweihander's homeworld, it caught the attention of the Ordo Xenos, or at least the closest representative of it, in the form of a Black Ship of the Inquisition. The vessel appeared in the skies over Geneva V, and 'requested' that the Zweihanders supply a squad, to be evaluated by the Deathwatch. Then-Justicar Damon Grayson's unit was selected by a not-entirely-pleased captain, and was shipped out.

Equipment: Nemesis halberd (1 each Hellfire, Kraken, and standard round in haft bolter), plasma pistol, combat shield, jump pack, melta bombs.

Psyker abilities: Defensive telekinesis, also employs TK to modify jump-pack trajectories. Otherwise largely untrained, may or may not have any ability in other areas.

Feedback very welcome, I'm relatively new to going this in-depth to 40k.

Edit for clarity: Not taking a whole squad or any such sillyness, the other members of the squad were either killed or parcelled out to other killteams.

[Cynical Cat]

It's fine White Haven.

[The Necrontyr Messenger]

With the death to abscence of our other 40K game due to the absence of critical payers,

One day I shall find them all and bring them to account. That emperor-blessed day will be one where they shall all be dragged off to the deepest antarctic dungeons and left in auto-cells with only word-processors for company, where they will be made eke out an existance of roleplay for food!

Oops. It appears that I was chanelling Lord Inquisitor Vidor Aeris there. I'm thinking that last time, I was too big on making people hunt lictors, but that said, I was planning to skip forwards a bit anyway... Perhaps I should get around to writing some memoria that reveal all the other plot twists if it's dead... Hrrm.

In any case, I do hope you lot will provide interesting spectating. And yeah, Imperial Assassins in retinues are bad. Unless you're Jaq Draco, King of Marty Stus...