[OW/X - Tau]: Operation Fireknife (OOC & Discussion)

[Trokair]

I found the ‘Tau Character Guide’ online and have used information from there to fill out more information on Monat’s character profile. I don’t think the multi tracker will be of much use, but it is part of the suits system, so fringe situational options I guess.

 

 

I also noticed that the rail rifle profile given in the guide is a bit different from the one I found before. I assume it is a more modern attempt to translate the rail rifle from 40k main to here (as in 3^rd/4^th edition 40 main rail rifles had ‘Gets Hot’ and this disappeared in later editions) and make use of the new weapons quality they are introducing with the guide.

 

Having looked at the number the damage output seems comparable. The version in this guide has a flatter bell curve, so will however more around the average, and has an inbuilt way to mitigate the lowest rolls. It also has extra pen for really well armoured targets.  

 

Since we have already modified the other one I am inclined to stick with that profile already in the character profile, but it is your call Mazer.

Edited December 21, 2021 by Trokair

[Mazer Rackham]

Nice job on finding the guide Tro.

 

Stick with the weapon we worked out for now, if it doesn't work out we can swap it off.  No problem.

[Beren]

Kroot shouldn't be a problem...I'll pull a profile from somewhere (I don't have the RT book, but I think there's profiles in Only War I can hijack).

 

 

I can summarise the RT kroot chargen rules here if that helps?

[Mazer Rackham]

That would be a solid, if you could Beren, and I'll paste it into the Character thread so BC can work on his Kroot as well.  

[BadgersinHills]

Is it ok if I play a Kroot? 

[Mazer Rackham]

I think it's fine, you seem to bump into Kroot a lot in my games, you beat one, now you've joined them! :D

[Beren]

Kroot Base Stats:

 

WS     30

BS      25

S        25

T        25

A        30

I         20

P        25

W       25

F        20

 

+2d10 each

 

Wounds = Toughness*2 + 1d5 + 3

 

Kroot Kindreds:

Bold Hunters - +5 BS, +5 to wrangling tests, +10 against Fear or Pinning Tests

Cunning Hybrids - +10 Int, +5 to Barter and Decieve tests, +1 Initiative

Greenskin Hybrids - +10 Toughness, applied after starting wounds are calculated.

Headhunters - Pass all toughness tests vs toxins, beak loses primitive quality and gains toxic

Stalkers - May make Concealment and Silent Move tests as a free action, even when observed.

 

Kroot Mercenary Career:

Starting Skills - Awareness, Concealment, Dodge, Silent Move, Speak Language (Kroot, Low Gothic, Tau)

Starting Talents - Universal basic weapons training, exotic weapons training (kroot rifle), universal melee weapons training, heightened sesnes (sight and hearing, mercenary

Starting Traits - Natural Weapons (Beak_ Unnatural Strength*2

Starting gear - Kroot rifle, mono-knife, kroot leathers, kroot-modified void-seat, micro-bead.

 

They've got their own advances and talents as well, with the shaper being an alternate career at rank 3.

 

Included in their section of the armoury are Kroot leathers (AP 2), Kroot Hunting Rifle (single shot, breech-loading version of their regular rifle), and the Krootbow (a high tech rapid firing crossbow with toxic quarrels)/

[Trokair]

Purely out of curiosity, any Krootox rules?   

[Mazer Rackham]

You know, gee whiz, I couldn't find any.

 

Not even on the internet.

 

Who'd a thought?

 

EDIT: Since this is a one-shot (at the moment) I don't mind a little bit of mangling the rules, so if one of the Kroot wants to be a Shaper, that's fine.

Edited December 21, 2021 by Mazer Rackham

[Beren]

The only benefits that the Shpaer gets is its advance table and access to a few traits, which I can summarise as well if need be.

[Mazer Rackham]

Nice work on the chargen Beren.

 

Are the traits worth it?

 

We can make the Shaper position more worthwhile with a small stat increase and access to better stuff (Pulse weapons?)  Perhaps even a Shaman type with a couple of not-quite-psychic powers?

 

Thoughts?

Edited December 21, 2021 by Mazer Rackham

[Beren]

Baseline, the Shaper Gets instinctual Understanding (if it's eaten an example of a species before, it can look at one per combat to gauge wounds and char bonuses - kind of moot given the nature of the pbp format) and Shamanic Powers.

 

Shamanic powers acts a prerequisite for three Shamanic Power talents, two of which act a bit like squad modes for kroot (but can be given to non-kroot on a passed willpower test) giving a melee related bonus for one and a stealth related bonus for the other. The third, Prophetic Dreams, gives a re-roll to a test within the next 24 hours as well as a vision potentially holding plot-related hints.

 

Also, while the rules don't auto-give a Shaper a pulse rifle, the art for the alternate career does.

[Mazer Rackham]

Cool.  We'll see what we can do about incorporating that if need be.  Nice work.

 

I was wondering about Kroot communication - obviously the Tau are going to speak normally, but how do we envisage the Tongue of Pech?  I know in fluff they chirp and whistle, but would that convey into maybe abstract dialogue?  I haven't come across much Kroot linguistic interaction.

[Black Cohort]

Given Tau tech level, wouldn't it make sense that the Tau have a smart phone sized device that can translate between Krootish and Tau?

[Mazer Rackham]

They do indeed, I was just thinking about interaction between themselves.

 

EDIT: In other news...

 

Pulse Blaster / Class Basic / Range 30m / RoF S/2/- / Damage 2d10+2 / Energy / Pen 3 / Clip 12 / Rld Full / Plasma Scatter / Wt 7kg

 

Special: Plasma Scatter.

The standard ammunition of these weapons spreads out, hitting more of the target. If fired at a foe within Point Blank range (3m), every two Degrees of Success generates another hit. However, at longer ranges this spread of small projectiles reduces its effectiveness. Penalties to Hit are doubled at Long or Extreme Range, but due to the nature of the ammunition, armour points are not doubled.

 

Thoughts?  Does this fit the weapon well?

Edited December 21, 2021 by Mazer Rackham

[Beren]

Grekh from Blackstone Fortress seems fully fluent in Low Gothic/High Gothic or whatever they're using. The Kroot character's internal dialogue in Fire and Ice is also mostly human adjacent, with the exception of terms like 'flat-faces' or frequently referring to breeds of prey or types of meat.

[Mazer Rackham]

Sounds good.

 

If anyone wants to go ahead and build their characters, they're free to do so!

 

Let's see what kind of Tau will set forth on this brave expedition ;)

[TechCaptain]

Brilliant idea and mix again. Thanks for keeping this corner interesting. Due to our history I will continue just to read and lurk for this exposition of good RP. Good luck and Ave Omnissiah. 

[Mazer Rackham]

Thanks for the kind words Tech, I'm glad at least we can explore and enjoy our creative ideas around the forum.

 

We wish you all the best with your projects as well. :)

[Trokair]

So, Mazer begins this game and within a week this gets shown, coincident?

 

 

[Necronaut]

It's not just coincidence: it's HERESY!

[Black Cohort]

I am still confused about why a show about Tau is named after an Eldar faction

[Mazer Rackham]

I am still confused about why a show about Tau is named after an Eldar faction

 

Baking my noodle as well.  *Shrug*

 

In other news, the IC should begin to open up soon.  Does anyone need help with character creation?  I still have a few bits and bobs to port into the OP, but Players can drop background etc.  I they're the same race, they could even develop mutual history about where they served etc before receiving the call to embark on this Great Journey? 

[Trokair]

I am still confused about why a show about Tau is named after an Eldar faction

 

I assume it is a pseudo Latin derivative of Exodus, and the possibly conflated with the Eldar faction name (as their name was probably similarly derived).

 

That or the show is actually about Eldar, and all this Tau stuff is a side plot/misdirection.

[Morovir]

I'm just in the process of creating my character now. Would it be possible for me to throw my hat in for the role of Shas'vre? So far my character concept is a veteran Fire Warrior who prefers to take to the field in standard armour rather than a Battlesuit - someone who would potentially become a Fireblade in the future rather than rising to the rank of Commander.