SDN BFG Campaign Briefing/Q&A Thread

Post by **NecronLord** » 2006-07-26 05:35pm

Inquisitor Jomi Jubal inhaled the heavy incense smoke in his sanctum, eyes closed, white robes hanging from his body, pooling on the floor like spilt milk on the polished black stone. He could feel everything about the ship. The throb of its generators, far below him, was transmitted ever so slightly, and his psychic senses could extend to everything within it. He could, if he desired, touch the minds of anyone on the vast ship.

The Mace of Malice it was called. It was a black ship of considerable antiquity that had become his own vessel for this mission, this war - this conquest.

With a telekinetic impetus on a control panel, the space before him danced with pinpoints of light. Jomi rose, watching the hologram as it resolved itself into a three dimensional diagram of the sector, walking around it, Bastion, the capital, and stronghold of resistance, was lit. He walked to a podium, bearing a heavy tome, open at a page entitled the ‘Fall of the Bastion Sector’

192.M41, it began…

192.M41. A year renowned throughout the segmentum pacificus as the year when the Bastion sector fell. Only recently conquered and claimed for the Imperium, its relapse came as a great shock. Forces of Chaos, and an Ork Waagh, vie for prominence when assigning a cause, but in truth, the most popular explanation is the malfeasance of Sector Governor Jelar van Berix.

Early in the previous decade, the keystone system of Oberal’s world had fallen to a xenophile uprising that had been linked, provisionally, with the race of genestealers. Governor Jelar had been lax in putting this down, and so, when the Enemy had attacked Estad-Miur, putting every inhabitant to death, there was little central order in the sector, and the chaotic fleets were able to move on to the Apar system, even as an Ork Waagh had been created in the outer fringes of the Maldae system.

Though these twin perils had destabilised the sector, it was, in truth, the intervention of several well placed assaults by Eldar that had caused it to fall into its current state of war.

Imperial fleets still held, though, Jubal knew. The bastion sub-sector itself was held against all comers by strong fleet presences in the Gradar and Atlas systems. But elsewhere, something of an anarchy reigned. While the sectors did function in many cases like normal, the great forge worlds that had been built in the sector lay silent, and all waited for the next raid of capricious forces, or for some alien to lay claim to their system.

He waited, stroking his beard softly with one hand as he did so, frowning. In truth, he knew, there was a much deeper agenda to the campaign to retake the Bastion sector. An agenda only a secret inquisitor of the Ordo Malleus such as himself was allowed to speak of…

---

A brief introduction. Now for the fun bits. Everyone who’s posted in the roster thread gets to select a system from the map to be based in, ideally in the following order:

1 - Imperial Overlord
2 - Thirdfain
3 - Dark Hellion
4 - Feil
5 - Arujei
6 - 2000AD
7 - Starship Titanic

InnocentBystander and other pirate players, are of course, allowed to select any system to be based in.

Other non-imperials, shouldn’t really be based in the Bastion sector.

Ideally, one or two imperial players will be based in Atlas and Gradar systems.

Also, initially, try to keep to the left and central sub-sectors. At the moment, we don’t have enough players to justify this huge map, though I hope others will turn up at some point. If they don’t, I’ll knock the right hand sub-sectors off the map.

Movement
As well as moving through the established warp channels, it’s possible to use the astronomicon (or dark gods, or Gork’s cunnin’), even for short jumps such as those within a sector. If you want to do this, in order to bypass an enemy, there are usually small risks, which I’ll manage. This is, of course, how you reach the systems not connected by warp lanes. If you want to do this, tell me in advance, and I’ll get out the percentage dice.

Exterminatus
Imperial and Eldar Players aren’t permitted to undertake exterminatus missions of their own volition in this campaign (Nor Orks, as such things are inherently non-orky). In the case of Imperial players, this will be handed out at my own personal whim, according to secret-sub-plots. Instead of having to refit, though, you’ll instead get the Mace of Malice (unmodified Black Ship) or its Cobra class escorts for your next mission, which must be an exterminatus mission. Further, it’s expected that you keep the Inquisition’s ships safe, they get annoyed and punish you if you lose them (disproportionate loss of reputation or taking replacements out of your own fleet). Eldar, on the other hand, aren’t likely to blow planets up at all. On the other hand, Chaos gets benefits the more it slaughters the innocent. Though the Inquisition might hear of it, and order retaliation, or worse, call the Grey Knights, if it gets excessive.

Eldar resources

Eldar do actually have some resources, in the form of exodite worlds. If anyone else claims these systems, I’ll let them know that the eldar are there. I’m not entirely sure what kind of resources these provide to the eldar, but anyway. There is, as I’ve said, a craftworld going around here.

Objectives

Chaos Objectives are to reduce the overall imperial prescence to 4000 points of ships. Then get back to rapaciously partying.

Eldar Objectives are classified citizen. Move along.

Imperial Objectives are to recapture all forge worlds, sufficient agri-worlds to support them, but most importantly, kill all enemies.

Orks Same as Chaos. Then get back to rapaciously partying.

---

I think that’s everything, for now. Any questions?

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2006-07-26 05:52pm

Question - Can eldar pirates capture worlds just like anyone else, or do they have any other way of increasing their resources/turn?

Post by **NecronLord** » 2006-07-26 06:02pm

They can become a major power, if they like, but Pirates don't take worlds per se. Going by the rules, they can take resources when they win a battle though. I'm also inclined to say they can take far more resources, simply because they're smashing and grabbing, rather than trying to run the world. Maybe twice as much.

We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Also, there's another limitation on eldar. Some systems, because they don't have sufficiently large web gates, the eldar can't go to. On the flip side, you can appear in those systems which do have web-gates without suffering the normal risks for non-warp-lane travel. I'll get the list of places you can't go to you tomorrow.

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2006-07-26 06:02pm

How do we go about deciding who fights whom, when?

Post by **NecronLord** » 2006-07-26 06:08pm

Feil wrote:How do we go about deciding who fights whom, when?

Basically, by deciding to fight a battle. Each sub-sector is ten light years across. You can travel across an entire sector in a week, with good warp-tides. Unless you're actually boxed in on the map, it's easy enough to get from any system to any others. The exception, is of course, getting past transit-point blockades, which are established in Atlas and Gradar.

So basically, you do as suggested in the book, find a player to fight, and fight him.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2006-07-26 09:30pm

I'll start at the Elba system.

Just a note, I'm still learning to use the software. I'll be doing a lot of messing with it over the next few days, which should hopefully take of that.. If that doesn't work, expect desperate, beseaching PMs.

Dark Hellion · Post by **Dark Hellion** » 2006-07-27 01:39am

I am going to start at Rakaardi, with the overtly obvious mission of refurbishing in order to go to Zaparnis and kill Xenos "for the glory of Sanguinius and the God-Emperor of Man!"

And a campaign question in general, given that I am the only Space Marine player, will I have different priorities/responsibities than the other Imperial Players, given that of them I am the only one that by fluff can just say no to Jobal's face and expect to get away with it?

Post by **NecronLord** » 2006-07-27 05:16am

Dark Hellion wrote:I am going to start at Rakaardi, with the overtly obvious mission of refurbishing in order to go to Zaparnis and kill Xenos "for the glory of Sanguinius and the God-Emperor of Man!"

You know, there are hideous risks attached to attacking unaligned alien races in this campaign...

And a campaign question in general, given that I am the only Space Marine player, will I have different priorities/responsibities than the other Imperial Players, given that of them I am the only one that by fluff can just say no to Jobal's face and expect to get away with it?

You can say no to a request. You can't say no to an actual order. They tend to 'tactfully' phrase it as a request. That said, you have authority to blow up planets, too. Battle barge 'n all.

---

As for the eldar pirates question: While they don't hold planets, they count a system they win a battle in theirs for a turn, and most importantly, have a hidden forge-world out there - I figure this represents normal raiding operations. There's also some eldar worlds out there, as I've said, which may contribute resources to you.

If you want to do nasty things like cart off entire planetary populations into slavery, feel free to mention it in the aftermath. Although as with everything else outside the normal in this campaign, it'll have adverse effects too... Similarly, if you really want to start empire building, you'd have to either come up with a 2000 point fleet list instead, or reach 2000 points via reinforcements.

GeneralTacticus · Post by **GeneralTacticus** » 2006-07-27 05:40am

What system are we using for production and repair?

EDIT: Also, is the OP saying that all Forge Worlds on the map are currently not producing anything?

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2006-07-27 05:57am

I got my system picked, no body better steal it before i get the chance to move in.
*hops from foot to foot*

GeneralTacticus · Post by **GeneralTacticus** » 2006-07-27 05:58am

Might help if you actually said what it was.

Dark Hellion · Post by **Dark Hellion** » 2006-07-27 06:18am

You know, there are hideous risks attached to attacking unaligned alien races in this campaign...

Since when have Blood Angels shied away from risks, or used more tactics besides RARG KILL EM ALL!?

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2006-07-27 06:20am

Well i'm low down on the list for priority. Naming it will give someone a chance to jump in and nab it just so they can laugh in the face of Admiral Tarquin Gaius Luicious Tyrael Griffin Crispin von Smallhousen the Fourth, descended from and named for the legendary Tarquin Gaius Luicious Tyrael Griffin Crispin von Smallhousen the First, one of the greatest Imperial admirals the Bastion sector has ever seen.
And Admiral von Smallhousen IV will not be laughed at, no sah! Anyone laughing will soon find themselves up against the finest noble line in the sector and you better believe that competent fleet admiralship is hereditary.

Because we do!

And the latest in the line of noble fleet commanders from the house of von Smallhousen will not take an insult to his honour lightly, no sah.

So i will cast caution to the wind. I hereby declare that Optal is the base of operations for my great and glorious fleet.

And if anyone thinks they can match wits with Admiral Tarquin Gaius Luicious Tyrael Griffin Crispin von Smallhousen the Fourth they will soon I am a perfect blend of Tarquin Gaius Luicious Tyrael Griffin Crispin von Smallhousen the Third's luck and Lionel Alexander Neil von Smallhousen the Seventh's skill, brought together for the first time since the great Admiral Titus Razeal Davis von Smallhousen.

For several hundred years the House of von Smallhousen has defended this sector and we shall continue uintil we are wiped out.

For the Emperor!

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2006-07-27 09:43am

Dark Hellion wrote:
You know, there are hideous risks attached to attacking unaligned alien races in this campaign...
Since when have Blood Angels shied away from risks, or used more tactics besides RARG KILL EM ALL!?

I think you're mistaking the Black Rage for a case of terminal stupidity. The Blood Angels, like all Space Marines, are exceptionally intelligent, and seek to serve the Imperium in the best way possible. Random conquests of xenos worlds should be left to the Imperial Guard...

Dark Hellion · Post by **Dark Hellion** » 2006-07-27 10:15am

I know feil, it's a joke.
Blood Angels have repeatedly shown themselves to be very ready to utilize fire support, cover, infiltrators and other assymetrical tactics, they are just exceedingly headstrong, and when given the chance seem to prefer to utilize their close combat/firefight potential far more than any Codex chapter.

However, an Anti-Xeno crusade is a good excuse to have the Chapter there with a large fleet instead of at some crusade or warzone. Frankly, I wanted a better excuse than I was just in the neighborhood driving around and thought you could use some help, or the infamous "so this old guy in a bar told our chaptermaster that there be pirates here".

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-07-27 11:04am

Estad-Muir would make a fine home for my little band of heretics.

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2006-07-27 11:08am

I'll base my fleet at Gradar. Sub-Sector Bastion shall not fall!

Post by **NecronLord** » 2006-07-27 11:11am

GeneralTacticus wrote:EDIT: Also, is the OP saying that all Forge Worlds on the map are currently not producing anything?

Because without Imperial Naval Patrols, it's difficult enough for the administratum to keep the people on them fed from agri-worlds, let alone bring in the raw materials necessery to begin production. Blame Bystander over there, and all the other lesser pirates.

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2006-07-27 12:16pm

All your raw material transports are belong to me

StarshipTitanic · Post by **StarshipTitanic** » 2006-07-28 12:59am

Are we building reinforcements or getting them for free?

Arujei · Post by **Arujei** » 2006-07-29 03:56am

Do we just post what planet we want? And who are we up to on the list?

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2006-07-29 05:11am

Arujei wrote:Do we just post what planet we want? And who are we up to on the list?

Legitamatly we're up to you, illegitamatly i've jumped ahead. So if your well within your rights to name Optal if you want it, i have back ups.

Arujei · Post by **Arujei** » 2006-07-29 02:32pm

Then I would like to nominate Optal as Admiral Cornelius' Base of Operations. We need to get those forge worlds up and running again!

StarshipTitanic · Post by **StarshipTitanic** » 2006-07-29 03:56pm

I'd like Atlas (Hopefully it's not one of your backups, 2000AD). The Bastion sub-sector needs a little love.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2006-07-30 06:39am

I, Admiral Tarquin Gaius Luicious Tyrael Griffin Crispin von Smallhousen the Fourth, hereby declare Oberal's World as my home base after gracefully allowing fellow officer Admiral Cornelius to move his base to Optal.
The Oberal sub sector needs to be defended as it is on the main trade route towards the Inxarus subsector where heretical forces have already been sighted, and I, Admiral Tarquin Gaius Luicious Tyrael Griffin Crispin von Smallhousen the Fourth, solemly swear to defend it's territory from the foul filth of the enemy in the name of the Emperor.