[DW] Blackthorn/Swordhand: Episode III - The Sundered House

[Komrk]

<Swordhand>

 

The grating sound of the hangar's bulkhead door sliding open sent a reaction through the squad, automatically adjusting to move forward. The Lion and the Silver Skull exchanged words, offering to take point position. Looking to move forward quickly and efficiently, Vorkys spoke over the vox. "Thire and Embe take point, Vorr and Argus cover the rear. The projected fastest route to the bridge should be in your view... now." 

 

The tactical data was pushed over the local system based on the Imperial Navy schematics of the base the Riches Untold was modified from. The data should be largely correct, but there was no information on exactly what modifications had been made to the ship by its former masters or how that may have changed the internal layout of the ship. The squad advanced down the deserted corridors without resistance, but the deeper within the great beast they pushed, the more disquieted Vorkys became. Get in, get whatever information remains, get out.

[Steel Company]

With his enhanced mind and sense taking in the scene before him, Tyber moved with haste to cover from the heavy weapons as he called to the defenders over his external vox, +We are not here for your heads. We are after your masters, surrender now and escape the wrath of the Astartes.+

 

Once he was in cover he switch to squad level and issued his orders, +Take defensive positions and prepare to end the fools if they don’t take this chance.+

 

His orders given, he primed a frag grenade to make good on his words.

 

OOC:

 

Action Full run 30m (doubled to 60m because of Jump pack)

-20 to be hit with ranged attacks

 

Move to position himself in cover behind a pillar #5 up from the bottom on the left side of the map.

Edited April 16, 2021 by Steel Company

[A.T.]

^<Blackthorn>
The necessity of haste had led them into this trap, and by the same necessity could not delay them. Atratus watched Pyke swing his frag cannot up in a ponderous arc, staying clear of his line of fire as he turned to the xenos on the other flank.
 
Perhaps it was eagerness for battle or confidence in their numbers but the creatures cries had given the opening to strike before the trap could snap shut, or perhaps they had never faced an Astartes and did not understand that they faced their death here. Whatever the case their presence further reinforced the need to secure this place before anyone or any thing could escape into the greater hive.
 

Atratus will charge into group 1 (or 2, whichever Solza does not) under Solza's furious charge
Awareness to spot any traps or snares on the way in: 54 vs target 95 (four extra DoS)
 
---furious charge (minimum damage 19, AP6)
 

Charge +10, Hunter +10, power weapon
Attack 71 vs target of 103 = 3 magnitude damage (2 hits plus power weapon)
Bonus magnitude damage from charge = 4
=total magnitude damage = 7
 
Pilot(pack) 50 vs target 70 - if needed

 

Lightning/two weapon fighting at -10
Attack 1 = 81 vs target 73+horde = 2 magnitude if horde still +20, otherwise miss
Attack 2 = 9 vs 63+horde = 5 magnitude
Attack 3 = 10 vs 63+horde = 5 magnitude
Attack 4 = 90 vs 63+horde = miss

Edited April 19, 2021 by A.T.

[Necronaut]

<Blackthorn>

With barely restrained fury, Helgrim moved into position behind a pillar opposite Tyber and primed a frag grenade. +These heretics do not deserve mercy, Sergeant,+ Helgrim growled over the vox.

Action: Full run 42m (84m w/ jump pack)

Move into position behind pillar opposite from Tyber (right-hand side of room, second up from the bottom)

Edited April 19, 2021 by Necronaut

[Lysimachus]

<Swordhand>

 

Titus was quite content holding a position in the middle of the pack. Brother Vorr's multi-melta was a poor weapon for providing overwatch at any real range, so the Stormbringer worked in tandem with Brother Boros, leapfrogging each other forwards, ready to provide covering fire for the advance elements of the squad with Huntsman and the Angel's heavy bolter.

[ApostleRP]

< < Blackthorn > >

 

Seeing more organised active combatants before him, Lycus allows his training and experience to take hold. He springs forward, moving closer to the left-hand wall, robbing the heavy weapons team a firing line on him, and hoping his squad mates are acting with the same caution in mind.

 

Now in a slightly more protected position, Lycus again draws his bolt pistol and fires alongside his combi-melta. Weight of fire will win out in the engagement, over the accuracy of isolated shots on soft targets. With a sharp inhale he feathers the trigger on both his weapons, projecting a deadly hail of bolts towards the squad of traitors before him.

 

- Solo mode ability - Burst of speed. 

- Free action - Quick draw Bolt pistol

- Half action - move 8m (6+2 BoS)

- Half action - Standard attack (bolt pistol and Combi-melta) at guardsman hoard 3)

 

Combi-Melta (Accurate)

Target: 102 (base 72 + Bolter mastery 10 + short range 10+ sig wargear master 10+ Magnitude 10- TWW+Amb 10)

Roll: 9 (9 DoS)

Damage: 2d10k1+13 + 2d10
Result: 25 Dmg.

 

Pistol:

Target: 62 (base 72 + Bolter mastery 10 - extreme range 20 + Magnitude 10- TWW+Amb 10)

Roll: 17 (3 Dos)

Damage: 2d10k1+13

Result: 21

Edited April 18, 2021 by ApostleRP

[That Beyond the Light]

~ Blackthorn ~

 

Ekieo does not like being ambushed and after assessing the situation in his calculated manner he decides charging the kroot scum to throw them off kilter is the best action. After all the Black Consuls are known for their furosity in close combat.

 

Looking to Atratus he acknowledges with out word on the targets he would engage. Charging for the kroots to his left as Atratus darts to the right, he slides with grace under the arch of Pykes frag cannon as not to throw off his targeting, before fluidly pushing off the floor and returning in to a charge.

 

Ekieo reaches a prime position for a semi auto burst shot of his bolter. Raising his bolter confidentiality, he opens fire hoping to thin the group enough that he can drive in to the rest of them with his chainsword.

 

Team enter Furious Charge Squad Mode - free action

Ekieo charges horde - AB 5 = 15 M charge

Charge ends in square M4 (numbers bottom to top?) unable to make it to the horde for CQ

 

Semi auto burst action into right of horde 2

 

49bs +10 bolter Mastery, +10 semi auto burst = 69

rolled 26 = 4DoS

 

Bolter = 3 hits

 

26 reversed = 62 body

 

1st + tearing - 2D10+9 rolled 4 & 1 discard 1 - 4+9 = 13 +2 (Bolter Mastery) = 15

 

2nd + tearing - 2D10+9 rolled 2 & 9 discard 2 - 9+9 = 18 +2 (Bolter Mastery) = 20

 

3rd + tearing - 2D10+9 rolled 2 & 9 discard 2 - 9+9 = 18 +2 (Bolter Mastery) = 20

Edited April 19, 2021 by That Beyond the Light

[Mojake]

Achillion took up position a couple of meters behind Chaka and Gideon, pressing forward through the gloomy, frosted corridors of the Riches Untold with Libra hanging low at his side. The Librarian saw no urgency in presenting himself at the fore of the group, he was confident in his abilities as a telepath and believed that any foe that may await them on this vessel would be more suited to Atreus' technological acumen than his own warpcraft. Nevertheless, Achillion's free hand hovered a few inches from the EMP grenade affixed to his magbelt, just in case.

 

The Codicier sidled up to Vorkys as they advanced through the vessel.

 

"What are your thoughts on forming demi-squads, Brother-Sergeant? I am conscious that such a large group of Astartes in such narrow confines are working at less than ideal effectiveness."

 

As the words left his lips, Achillion slowly whirled Libra in an arc about his head, the flared edge catching a cluster of pipes above. He growled to himself, not transmitting the outburst through the vox-channel. He unclasped his Baal-Pattern Bolter and engaged the pilot flame on the underslung attachment that Fasumé had blessed the weapon with.

[Komrk]

<Swordhand>

 

"What are your thoughts on forming demi-squads, Brother-Sergeant? I am conscious that such a large group of Astartes in such narrow confines are working at less than ideal effectiveness."

 

The suggestion had crossed his mind, but without any clear reason to split up he wanted to keep the squad together. Needlessly weakening the group even if to maximize efficiency was not an idea that he was keen on. 

 

"I have already considered the divisions, but we remain together until the bridge or we encounter hostilities." He noticed the Codicier react instinctively towards nothing. The silence is making us all jumpy. The sooner that Swordhand had its answers, the better.

[Commissar Molotov]

Placeholder Post - Still WIP!

 

Blackthorn Primus

House Desiato Chapel

 

ROUND ONE BEGINS

Helgrim:

Full Action: Run 60m

Free Action: Cohesion Test against Cohesion 6 to join Squad Mode: 6 (PASS)

Helgrim enters Squad Mode

 

Tyber:

Full Action: Run 60m

 

Arcost:

Half Action: Move

Half Action: Standard Attack with Bolter

BS44(+10 Short Range)(+20 Magnitude)=BS74: 84 (MISS)

 

Greysight:

Full Action: Semi-Auto Burst (inc. half move) against Horde 2 (on second floor)

BS55(+10 Bolter Mastery)(+10 Short Range)(+10 Motion Predictor)(+20 Magnitude)= BS105: 66 (3DoS) - 1 Hit, +1 Additional (+1 Additional for Explosive)

Bolter resolves at 1D10+9(+2 Bolter Mastery)(+2 Mighty Shot)(+1 Exceptional), Pen 4 against TB4, Armour 6(+8 from Cover)

Hit 1: 9(+14)(-12 for armour and cover)(-TB3) = 1 Magnitude Damage

Hit 2: 9(+14)(-11 for armour and cover)(-TB3) = 1 Magnitude Damage

Hit 3: 8(+14)(-10 for armour and cover)(-TB3) = 1 Magnitude Damage

Horde is now at 17 Magnitude

AG Test to activate Nakarene Lightning Solo Mode against AG43: 31 (PASS)

Greysight gains an additional half move.

 

Household Troopers 2:

Half Action: Aim

Half Action: Standard Attack against Greysight

BS45(+10 Short Range) = 8 (HIT)

High-Powered Lasrifles do 1D10+4(+1D10 from Magnitude) = 8+2+4 = 14 Damage, Pen 7

Greysight's 80 (Right Leg) is behind cover and receives 0 Damage

 

Heavy Weapons Team 1:

Full Action: Full Auto Burst with Heavy Bolter against Tyber

BS45(+20 FAB)(+10 Short Range)(-20 Run): 67 (MISS)

 

Heavy Weapons Team 3:

Full Action: Full Auto Burst with Heavy Bolter against Helgrim

BS45(+20 FAB)(+10 Short Range)(-20 Run): 11 (Hit, 4DoS) = 4 Hits

Helgrim attempts a Dodge on AG60: 33 (2DoS) - 3 Hits Dodged

Rosarius: on a 50 or less, hits are nullified

Hit 1: 39 (Nullified)

 

Household Troopers 1:

Half Action: Aim(+10)

Half Action: Standard Attack (x2)

Attack 1 against Tyber

BS45(+10 Short Range)(+10 Aim)(-20 Run): 24 (HIT)

Tyber attempts to Dodge on AG48(+20 Dodge Skill)(+10 Solo Mode): 61 (PASS)

 

Attack 2 against Helgrim

BS45(+10 Short Range)(+10 Aim)(-20 Run): 1 (HIT)

Rosarius: on a 50 or less, hit is nullified: 85 (FAIL)

High-Powered Lasrifles do 1D10+4, Pen 7: 10 (14 Damage)

Helgrim's 58 (BODY) has TB8 and Armour 9(2): 4 Wounds Sustained (now at 17/21)

 

Heavy Weapons Team 2:

Full Action: Full Auto Burst with Heavy Bolter against Greysight

BS45(+20 FAB)(+10 Short Range): 70 (Hit, 0DoS) = 1 Hit

Greysight attempts to Dodge on AG43: 63 (FAIL)

Heavy Bolter does 1D10+8, Pen 5: 5 (13 Damage)

Greysight's 07 (HEAD) has TB8 and Armour 8

0 Damage Sustained

 

[ ] HELGRIM | (SQUAD) | AG(6x2)+6 = 18 | WOUNDS 21/21 | FATE 3/3

[ ] TYBER | (SOLO) | AG(4x2)+9 = 17 | WOUNDS 21/21 | FATE 5/5

[ ] ARCOST | (SOLO) | AG4(INT5)+1+7 = 13 | WOUNDS 20/20 | FATE 2/2

[ ] GREYSIGHT | (SOLO) | AG4(INT5)+5 = 10 | WOUNDS 22/22 | FATE 5/5

[ ] Household Troopers Horde 2 | AG3+6 = 9 | MAGNITUDE 17

[ ] Heavy Weapons Team 1 | AG 3+5 = 8

[ ] Heavy Weapons Team 3 | AG 3+4 = 7

[ ] Household Troopers Horde 1 | AG3+2 = 5 | MAGNITUDE 20

[ ] Heavy Weapons Team 2 | AG 3+1 = 4

ROUND TWO BEGINS

 

Blackthorn Secundus

House Desiato Colonnade

 

ROUND ONE BEGINS

 

Artemios:

Free Action: Leave Squad Mode; enter Solo Mode

Free Action: Burst of Speed (3 rounds)

Half Action: Move 8m

Half Action: Standard Attack (Bolt Pistol and Combi-Melta) against Household Troopers 3 (~65m away)

 

Per p.142 of the Core Rulebook, the extra D10s for damage are only when used in conjunction with the Aim action - do you have something that waives this requirement?

 

Combi-Melta: BS102: 9 (HIT) (+1 Additional, Explosive)

Combi-Melta is 1D10+9(+More), Pen 4 against TB3 and Armour 6(2): Auto-Wounds

2 Magnitude Damage

 

Bolt Pistol: 17 (HIT) (+1 Additional, Explosive)

Bolt Pistol is 1D10+9(+More), Pen 4 against TB3 and Armour 6(2): Auto-Wounds

2 Magnitude Damage

 

Horde 3 is now at 8 Magnitude

 

Incariel:

Full Action: Run 30m

 

Varvost:

Full Action: Run 60m

 

Ogryn A:

Full Action: Run 24m

 

Troopers Horde 1:

Full Action: Run 24m

 

Troopers Horde 3:

Half Action: Aim

Half Action: Standard Attack against Varvost

BS45(+10 Aim, +10 Short Range): 36 (HIT)

1D10+4, Pen 7: 3 (7 Damage): 0 Damage Sustained

 

Heavy Weapons Team 1:

Full Action: Full Auto Burst against Incariel

BS45(+20 Full Auto Burst)(+10 Short Range)(-20 Target Ran)=BS55: 69 (MISS)

 

Troopers Horde 2:

Full Action: Semi-Auto Burst against Artemios

BS45(+10 SAB): 20 (HIT, 3DoS): 1 Hit + 1 Additional

Artemios attempts to Dodge on AG54: 62 (FAIL)

High-Power Lasrifles are 1D10+4(+1D10), Pen 7

Hit 1: 6+7 (17) to the 02 (HEAD): Artemios has TB8 and Armour 8(1): 8 Wounds

Hit 2: 4+8 (16) to the (HEAD): Artemios has TB8 and Armour 8(1): 7 Wounds

= 15 Wounds Sustained

Will you want to spend a fate point to re-roll your Dodge?

 

Heavy Weapons Team 2:

Full Action: Full Auto Burst against Varvost

BS45(+20 Full Auto Burst)(+10 Short Range)(-20 Target Ran)=BS55: 5 (HIT) - 5DoS: 1 Hit +4 Additional

Varvost attempts to Dodge on AG59: 77 (FAIL)

Varvost spends a Fate Point to re-roll his Dodge: 5 (5DoS - all negated)

 

 

[X] ARTEMIOS | (SQUAD) | AG4+9 = 14 | WOUNDS 21/21 | FATE 3/3

[X] INCARIEL | (SQUAD) | INT(5+2)+9 = 16 | WOUNDS 21/21 | FATE 3/3

[X] VARVOST | (SQUAD) | AG5+10 = 15 | WOUNDS 24/24 | FATE 2/3

[X] Ogryn A | AG3+10 = 13 |

[X] Household Troopers Horde 1 | AG3+9 = 12 | MAGNITUDE 12

[X] Household Troopers Horde 3 | AG3+8 = 11 | MAGNITUDE 12

[X] Heavy Weapons Team 1 (Autocannon) | AG3+5 = 8

[X] Household Troopers Horde 2 | AG3+4 = 7 | MAGNITUDE 12

[X] Heavy Weapons Team 2 (Autocannon) | AG3+4 = 7

ROUND TWO BEGINS

 

Blackthorn Tertius

House Desiato Gardens

 

ROUND ONE BEGINS

Solza:

Free Action: Declare Furious Charge (3 Cohesion Points)

Kill-Team Cohesion is now at 3

 

All Kill-Team members in Squad Mode may make an immediate Charge Move and a standard attack with a Melee Weapon

 

>>>Solza (Furious Charge)

Solza makes a Charge Action: AG5(+1 for Power Armour)x3=18m towards Horde 1

 

>>>Atratus (Furious Charge)

Atratus makes a Charge Action: AG7+1(x2 Jump Pack)x3 = 48m towards Horde 2:

WS83(+20 Magnitude) = WS103: 71 (3DoS) = 1 Hit + 1 Additional (+1 Hit for Power Weapon)

Minimum Damage of 19, AP6 against Kroot TB4 and Armour 2: 2 Magnitude Damage

+1D10 Magnitude Damage: 4

7 Magnitude Damage (now at 13)

Can you just explain the missing Magnitude? Are you attacking with Bolt Pistol + Chainsword to get explosive damage?)

 

Furious Charge Ends

 

Solza (Continued)

Full Action: Semi-Auto Burst against Horde 1

BS49(+10 Bolter Mastery)(+10 Semi-Auto Burst)(+10 Short Range)(+20 Horde Magnitude)=BS99: 26 (7DoS): 1 Hit(+2 Additional)(+1 Explosive)

Hits resolve at 1D10+9(+2 Bolter Mastery), Pen 4 against TB4 and Armour 2 (auto-wounding)

4 Magnitude Damage (now at 16)

 

Kroot Carnivore Horde 2

Full Action: All Out Attack against Atratus

WS42(+20AOA)=62: 51 (HIT)

Kroot Rifles are 1D10+8(+D10 Magnitude), Pen 2: 9+8 = 17 Damage, Pen 2

The Bulwark ability allows Atratus to parry hordes but not to dodge them.

Atratus's 15 (Right Arm) is TB8 and Armour 7(5): 4 Damage Sustained

 

 

Atratus:

Lightning attack with twin power swords:

Attack 1: WS63+10=73: 81 (MISS)

Attack 2: WS63+10=73: 9 (HIT, 6DoS) - 1 Hit, +3 Additional (+1 Power Weapon) = 5 Magnitude Damage (now at 8)

Attack 3: WS63+10=73: 10 (Hit, 6DoS) - 1 Hit, +3 Additional (+1 Power Weapon) = 5 Magnitude Damage (now at 3)

Attack 4: WS63: 90 (MISS)

 

Kroot Hounds:

Full Action: Run (48m)

 

Pyke:

The Kroot Hounds have ended their run approximately 3 metres from your position.

The best thing here is to move forward one metre and then do a Semi-Auto Burst (as a half action thanks to Suspensors) with your Frag Cannon!

Your roll would be as follows:

BS62(+10 Semi-Auto Burst)(+10 Motion Predictor)(+30 Point Blank Range)(+20 Horde Magnitude)(-20 Target Ran)=BS112

If you roll a 112 or less, you hit once (three times due to blast 3);

If you roll a 92 or less, you hit twice (six times due to blast 3).

 

Additionally, because your Frag Cannon has the Scatter Quality, each 2 degrees of success grants another hit (3 hits):

92 or less: 1 (3)

72 or less: 2 (6)

52 or less: 3 (9)

32 or less: 4 (12)

12 or less: 5 (15)

 

This gives you a potential of 21 hits against the horde.

Your Frag Cannon is 3D10+5(+2 Mighty Shot), Pen 2 - basically, you will auto-kill.

 

After you've worked out the number of hits, if you haven't reached 20 Magnitude, you will do +1 Magnitude Damage thanks to your Power Armour history.

 

[X] SOLZA | (SQUAD) | AG5+9 = 14 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 4/4 | RE-ROLLS 2

[X] Kroot Carnivore Horde 2 | AG4+9 = 13 | MAGNITUDE 20

[X] ATRATUS | (SQUAD) | AG7+2 = 9 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 3/3

[X] Kroot Hounds Horde | AG4+5=9 | MAGNITUDE 20

[ ] PYKE | (SOLO) | AG5+3 = 8 | WOUNDS X/X | FATE X/X

[ ] Kroot Carnivore Horde 1 | AG4+1 = 5 | MAGNITUDE 20

Edited April 20, 2021 by Commissar Molotov

[Steel Company]

<<Blackthorn, Combat round 2>>

 

The rounds landed around him, but for now, those weapons could be mitigated through the correct use of cover, the massed line of troopers needed to be felled first, then the heavy weapons. Tyber unclipped a frag grenade from his belt, tossing it into the mass of troopers from behind.

 

Action: Half Action, throw grenade

BS Test TN 45? (Base 45, range? Size?)

BS test, frag 'nade: 1d100 2 Hit! with 4DoS

 

Frag Grenade Damage: 2D10+2 Pen 0 Explosive Blast 4

 

I'll level the damage rolling for this one to you CM as I'm not sure how you want to do it this time since Blast 4 gives it a 4m blast radius.

 

Half Action: 10m move to next pillar to get a better rear angle on the troopers and try to put cover between myself and the heavy weapons.

 

Dodge if needed: 

 

TN: 78 (AGI 48, +20 Dodge Skill +10 from Rank three solo mode)

dodge +20 +10 from Rank 3 solo mode: 1d100 61

 

Edited April 21, 2021 by Steel Company

[Reyner]

<Swordhand>

 

Bringing up the rear was disappointing but Vorr decided being in the back was a good spot for combat, enemies would attack from the rear hoping they picked targets off without alerting the rest of the boarding party. Let them come, he was ready for a close encounter feeling the weight of his multi melta in his arms. He set his armours sensors to scan around him at all times, nothing would sneak up on him. This place seemed dead anyway.

 

Vorr glanced at Argus still wary of the new bloods in the squad they had all done well in training but he hadn't seen them take on real foes.

 

He followed the standard codex pattern for being rearguard turning around and pacing backwards at random intervals to try catch any would be ambushers out but there was nothing he felt like they were the only living things on this dead hulk.

[ashlander47]

Placeholder

 

++ If there is an angle to be gained on Heavy Weapons Team 1 by Half-Moving south-east then he would make that step and unleash a FAB on them, else it is a Run Action to gain cover behind the column 30m away (the second leftmost one).

[Commissar Molotov]

Kill-Team Swordhand

Riches Untold, Sunder Dynasty Cruiser

 

With the machine-spirits supplicated and the doors open, you are able to stalk through the empty hallways and corridors of the Riches Untold, following the tactical cartographs inloaded by Kol. Several times you are required to force open bulkheads and access hatches on the way to the cruiser’s bridge.

 

The cruiser is dark, cold and seemingly lifeless. In some places, debris drifts in zero-gravity like a cloud of flies obscuring your vision; target-locks flicker across your sight as your warplates’ machine-spirits search hungrily - hopefully, even - for any sign of an enemy.

 

As you begin to near some of the vessel’s more strategic locations, the signs of a boarding action become increasingly evident; clearly the Riches Untold was locked in combat before its untimely demise. At several intersections and chokepoints you can discern the marks of weapons-fire on bulkheads - some are distinctly those of Imperial-issue lasweapons; some seem entirely alien and unrecognisable to you.

 

In one corridor, red diamonds shatter against your armour - a cloud of crystallised blood that glimmers in the stab-lights from your armour. It is your first sign of the cruiser’s crew - thus far, you have found no corpses. As you expected, there has been no sign of life here - but tellingly, there has been no sign of death either.

[Komrk]

<Swordhand>

 

"Blood... but no bodies. I do not recognize some of this weapon damage. Brother-Codicier, take Brothers Yeng, Thire, Titus, and Boros. Follow the trail of battle away from the center, find the point of incursion and any evidence of what was attacking. The rest of us will continue to the bridge, maintain regular contact."

 

The blood hanging in zero gravity broke up and reformed as the Astartes walked straight through it. The lack of bodies was most concerning. It was unlikely that a critical hull breach could have removed all evidence not burnt into the ship itself while leaving blood behind. This must be linked to the Xenotech allegedly being used by their quarry, but many questions remained. Why remove the bodies? The reports suggest Xenos connections, not the taint of Chaos. The sooner we reach the bridge the better.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Komrk

[Lysimachus]

<Swordhand>

 

Titus nodded thoughtfully at the Watch-Sergeant's order. As curious as he was about what might be found on the bridge, this was a mystery worthy of finding a solution. Who had fallen here? How had they died? Where were their bodies? The answers to these questions could tell them much about what had happened to the Riches Untold.

 

Achillion's team paused as Kol led his demi-squad on towards their primary target. Titus looked cautiously around the darkened corridor. He knew he had not the experience in void warfare that some of his brethren had, but he did know tracking. Blood could tell you a great deal about your prey. He opened his squad channel.

 

+Brother-Apothecary, if we can collect some of these crystals, can we examine them and determine anything about who or what fought and died here?+

[adesro18]

Atreus walked through the crystalized mist of blood that was once the compliment of the ship. It was a curious sight, no bodies but just the blood left behind. This was certainly a new type of Xenos heresy.

Atreus opened a general vox link to the squad, "Unlikely to be a heat or energy based weapon. The blood would normally be vapourized and the wounds cauterized. My analysis would suggest standard projectile weapons or perhaps blades and bludgeons. Hypothesis: standard eldar weaponry, although more data required for complete analysis." 

He closed the vox link and trudged after Vorkys.

[Mojake]

"Brother-Codicier, take Brothers Yeng, Thire, Titus, and Boros. Follow the trail of battle away from the center, find the point of incursion and any evidence of what was attacking. The rest of us will continue to the bridge, maintain regular contact."

 

"As you wish, Brother-Sergeant." Achillion growled, his twin heartbeats increasing in tempo at the thought of encountering any attackers.

 

The vox crackled with the deep, logical voice of Atreus, "My analysis would suggest standard projectile weapons or perhaps blades and bludgeons. Hypothesis: standard eldar weaponry, although more data required for complete analysis."

 

Achillion's mind dredged forward memories of his vicious duel with the Mandrake assassin siblings of Drukhari Archon Thysk, their umbral blades dancing from the darkness to nick his flesh before their forms succumbed to the might of Libra and his Haemomancy. His torn cheek curled upwards into a grin at the thought of battling the Eldar again; their variation mattered not to him.

 

"Brother-Apothecary, if we can collect some of these crystals, can we examine them and determine anything about who or what fought and died here?" Titus questioned the Gatebreaker.

 

It was a good idea, and any information on their foe could prove useful.

 

"Brother Yeng, conduct the analysis. Brother Titus, your bloodline are famed for their tracking abilities, lead onwards." The Stormbringer required no further command and stalked into the halls ahead like a predator hunting its prey.

 

The Librarian grunted in satisfaction before turning to the others. "Brother Thire, you're on vanguard with me," the butt of the heavy force axe struck the plasteel floor with an echoing thud as Achillion planted it for emphasis, "Brother Boros, you take rearguard - extreme prejudice on any target you sight." Taking a moment to breathe and work his jaw, the Codicier regarded the Devastator Marine's blocky silhouette; he would make an excellent bulwark against any flanking attacks. "Brother-Apothecary, you take the center as you perform your analyses."

Edited April 20, 2021 by Mojake

[Lysimachus]

<Moved post to better fit with narrative>

[apologist]

Yeng nodded curtly, already reaching forward to gather some of the ruby droplets. Curious, he thought, before vocalising.

 

“The blood is red. It bears... uh... life-air?” he struggled, then found the Gothic, “Oxygen; or monoxide of Carbon, perhaps.” Seeing the Librarian’s eyebrow curl, he went on. “The blood should be brown. If it bled in atmosphere, binds with atmosphere. Scabs.”

 

He turned to begin the test, having gathered sufficient haemolymph for his narthecium to analyse.

 

“So you’re saying that this blood came from corpses?” Thire queried.

 

Yeng looked around. “Hm,” he grunted. “Fresh perished, maybe. That, or when fighting, it was done when atmosphere was already gone.”

 

The others raised their weapons.

Edited April 20, 2021 by apologist

[Lysimachus]

<Swordhand>

 

At Achillion's command, Titus moved forward immediately, leaving the demi-squad several metres behind as they paused momentarily for Yeng to take his sample. The Stormbringer disabled his stab-light, relying instead on the powerful preysense sight mounted on his boltgun. Without conscious thought he fell back into what was his natural role, scouting a path for his brethren.

 

As he crept forward, he noticed the damaged surface of the walls along the corridor. Centuries old weapons fire had blackened the plasteel, leaving behind a heavy layer of carbonic soot. Ideal. Titus quickly scraped away as much of the thick ash in his gauntleted hands as he could, then smeared it liberally across both shoulder pads and down his silvery left arm, dulling down the bright sigils of the Stormbringers and the Deathwatch alike.

 

Even as he did, he muttered beneath his breath the familiar benedictions of placation to the war spirits of his armour. For a Hunter, what most would see as an unforgivable insult was instead viewed as a necessary evil. In fact, Titus and his peers usually wore armour of simple black - or whatever colour would best fade into the terrain they had been deployed in - unmarked by badges or honours of any kind. Pride in your Chapter's colours had its place, but when one needed to remain undetected, such pride was a foolish liability.

 

Camouflage precautions complete, Titus vanished into the next darkened hull section, a massive but near-noiseless shadow. As he entered it, he paused to scan around him for any dangers to the Kill-Team and to search for further signs of the intrusion Kol had dispatched them to uncover.

[Commissar Molotov]

Blackthorn Primus:

 

Map at the start of Round Two:

 

Blackthorn Secundus:

 

Map at the start of Round Two:

 

Blackthorn Tertius:

 

Map part-way through Round One:

Edited April 20, 2021 by Commissar Molotov

[Mojake]

"Fresh perished, maybe. That, or when fighting, it was done when atmosphere was already gone.”

 

The Angel gave a curt nod at the Apothecary's assessment, then glanced ahead to see the form of Titus vanish into the darkened corridors beyond.

 

The Librarian opened an auxiliary vox channel with the four brothers under his temporary command, then briefly checked the fire selector on his Baal-Pattern Bolter. 

 

"Secundus Beta, move out." Achillion barked, satisfied with his firearm.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Mojake

[A.T.]

The xenos held their ground against the initial assault, striking out with an odd combination of feral aggression and almost ritualistic thrusts and slashes with their weapons. Quicker than a human but woefully undermatched to an Astartes as a blur of power blades cut through their line in moments.

 

A roar of thunder behind him signalled that Pyke had joined the fray. The eagerness of the xenos had been their downfall as they squandered their advantage, and they would be given no opportunity to scurry back into their shelter here. Leaping high into the air Atratus turned his attention to the second group as he move to drive them onto his brothers waiting guns.

 

 

Parry and counter attack vs horde - (rolls copy/pasted from OOC thread)

Parry Roll = 8 vs target 101 = successful parry

Counter Attack Target Roll = 27 vs target of 53-63 = 3 magnitude damage

 

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

Atratus will perform a furious charge (if Solza hasn't already called it) into the hounds, followed by a regular charge into Horde 1

 

Furious Charge hounds: Roll = 56 vs target 93 = success, 21 damage Pen 6, 2 hits + power field, plus 6 on charge = 9 magnitude to hounds

(if the hounds are already dead Atratus just uses this move to reposition)

 

Regular Charge Squad 1: Roll = 25 vs target 103 = success, 21 damage Pen 6, 4 hits + power field, plus 5 on charge = 10 magnitude to squad 1

 

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

Pre-emptive rolls (if any are applicable):

Assassin strike away from hounds vs Target 70, Roll 34 - pass

Parry vs squad 1 vs Target 103 - half magnitude, Roll 30 - pass

Counter attack vs squad 1 vs Target ~53?, Roll 38 - pass - only a bare minimum hit, 2 magnitude.

[Petragor]

<Swordhand>

 

Chaka is used to boarding ships, but this is something else. The utter lack of any life, yet the feeling that something could jump out and attack you at any time... it was contradictory.

 

The signs of death around certainly didn’t do anything to lower his guard. It reminded him of a Drukhari vessel. Clearing empty slave-pens while looking at the signs of terrible things taking place. Chaka felt empathy for the ships former crew. These crystals didn’t seem like any Dark eldar creation he had seen before, but he was sure whatever it was hadn’t been pleasant for the victims.