40K/Inquisitor RPG. The Line of Damnation.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-20 05:12am

Gix pointed at the holo. "He has the Black Legion to act as enforcers. We can't rely on him being brainless. This world fell suddenly and rapidly. There was no warning. This one is no fool, prone to rash decisions. He can lay plans and wait for them to succeed. He has to go, along with whatever Black Legion advisors he's got with him. And while we're at it, we need to knock out as much of their anti-space defences as possible. We have a lot of work to do."

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-20 05:16am

typing out with one hand onto the data slate

To: Commisar Prias Ristani
From: Taskforce logistics and supply
Re: Revised Ground Forces OOB

Combined PDF companys: one and a half companies of PDF conscripst were lost in engagement with BL space forces.
Sword of Faith: Suprisingly light causualties, replacement for Commanding officer needed.
The Black watch: 25% casualties on the whole unit. (charge in the landing bay), Leftenant Jason McDonnel
1st of the 101st Scouts, mild casualties, due to ship board battle damage, full drop capable. Large number of cargo speeders, and typhoons, Major Kilgore
The Wolves of the Wave: Conscript guard unit, primarily aquatic planet, officer Toshiro Yashida, Adaptus Astrades Imperial Dragons, Salamander Sucessor, Mentor <space marine Sargent on loan to the commisariat>

Penal Legions
Beta: presently weaponless, commanding officer killed in boarding. Scouts, specialty: Improvised explosives, Commander Marius Fell (Sniper)
Charlie: Formerly a guard unit close to ork space, condemed for heretical pro-xenos sympathies, and modifying wargear. Also Condemed a full "Tainted" armoured company (the tech priests refused to reclaim their orginal Russ, Rhino, and Bikes)
Daedalus: Penetant Engines, ARchoflagalants, and condemed, convicts of the last campaign, untrained but well equipped.
Xenos: Heavy causualties, all ratlings died in boarding action, Surviving: 1st Logistical (Mostly petty Thieves), and Assualt Squads, (The Eldar led Black Cutless Pirates), Note Sniper Squads still functional.

OIther forces:
Sisterhood of the Burning Spear: 50% casualties, majority of the remaining are sister's hospitaler. casualties also reflect transfers to crewing of unnamed Prize ship.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-20 05:20am

Carnis turned to his aide. "Colonel, bring the global projection back up."

After a moment, the original projection returned, then filled with the details provided by the intelligence staff. Some of the projections and numbers had already changed, as the data was apparently being continuously updated.

Carnis pointed his finger at the large red blot on the planet's largest continent.

"There is his base of operations, inquisitor Gix. Colonel, magnify."

The map zoomed in, revealing the centerpiece of the planetary hive network. The Primus hive of the world sprawled in every direction for literally thousands of kilometers. Only at the outermost edges were there any specks of blue indicating active and organized resistance.

"Were our objective simply to neutralize the threat of this monster, I would suggest targeting our strike here. But that fails to account for the major concentration of his forces, and could well miss him. So, if we are to strike at him directly, it will have to be through a covert operations mission."

Prius rose to his feet slowly, stepping over to the hologram.

"Have the intelligence personnel indicated that there is ongoing resistance, or has this portion of the hive been largely secured?" He glared at the great mass of red, the crimson bathing his face in light as he studied it.

"Signals activity is consistant with counterinsurgency operations, yes," Carnis said.

Prius looked at Gix expectantly.

Give the order and I will go.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-20 06:41am

Yashida san started with the preperation and blessing of his wargear first and foremost, lovingly applying ink to the intricate dragon that entertwined his armour, it was the first duty of The Imperial Dragons upon graduation into the full ranks of the Samurai, the elite space marines was to paint one's own dragon on the armour, symbols of the great imperium of man would also be incorperated into the elaberate dragon design, but the new marine would fast until the task was completed. The dragons were different for each and every marine, they were a work of art, a devotion. The second duty was to craft one's "Oni Mask" another work of art, that involved additions of metal to change the outward appearance of a standard helmet into a more monsterous visage, it was a psychological tool, to drive fear into the enemy, it also helped in command, The Imperial Dragons were afterall a "Mentor Chapter", the space marines spending time being loaned out to stiffen and train guard units, until they could at last prove themselves worthy of higher honors.

Then it was the weapon's practice, strike as if being struck, fill your mind with thoughts of death, imagine being ripped apart by the enemy's of man, you will become master of death, not caring if you live or die, only that you serve.

Instead of the usual training exercises he had been informed that the commisar in charge of the operation wished to see him. Toshiro regretted that the vessel he and the Guard "Yojimbo" he commanded had not been boarded, he would have liked to personally dealt with the traitors. With his Aegualia and dragon surrounding a flowerblossum back banner he made way to the offices of the Commisarit.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2005-01-20 05:11pm

Jolan turned to face Ristani. "Colonel-commissar, I can think of no better place for your talents than assisting this counter insurgency." Ristani had bullet stopper written all over him. It was a pitty, but his narrow mind and reactionary mindset made him as dangerous as he was useful. "Your assistance here may be critical to drawing attention away from the strike force aimed at the warlord."

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-20 05:36pm

That wasn't precisely what he was offering, but serving as the decoy to the real assassins was also service. He nodded.

Carnis was also entirely satisfied. Ristani in the field was not Ristani hovering over his shoulder demanding that he throw more troops into bad situations. He knew the type. The commissar was the sort who would get good men and women killed over points of pride and orthodoxy, and mission effectiveness be damned.

"Are there any further questions?" the general asked politely.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-20 07:47pm

Prius returned to his office to find a space marine waiting for him.

It came as something of a surprise, because he hadn't read the latest order of battle which made mention of the presence of a member of the Adeptus Astartes among their forces.

Given all his recent conflicts with the Traitor Marines, he had to reign in his almost instinctive response that marine armor=enemy.

"Can I help you," he said, bowing politely as he checked out the marine's rank. "Brother Sergeant?"

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-21 02:52am

Toshiro bowed as the Commisar entered, then rose.

"I recieved some dated orders that you were in need of any marine assistance, I am currently on loan from my chapter to the guard devisions under your command, to serve as a Mentor. The orders we're sent out prior to embaring, but were not unsealed for security reasons until after we were orbitting the traitor held planet."

I also was given recent orders that you were in need of an Aide DeCamp, and that your "personal strike force" could revieve benefit from the training regimine I have to offer.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2005-01-21 06:28am

The idea that Pater would make an attempt on Gix's life was, of course, ridiculous. Pater kept a strict line between business and... Pleasure.

He was glad to see that his request for Astartes had finally come through. He wasn't glad to find the investigation into Inquisitor Talstrem's Incident (already mentally capitalised) landing in his lap. He seemed to be drowning in paperwork lately, and that definately wasn't his scene. He decided that he'd join the ground forces for the upcoming mission.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-21 04:02pm

Prius gaped, then quickly recovered himself. The opportunity to be trained by one of the battle brothers of the Astartes... unbelievable.

It was like a dream come true. He nodded. "Yes, yes, I and the Sword would be honored for you to accompany and train us in the Astartes way of war."

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-21 06:42pm

there is of course not enough time for a proper training commisar.

usually as a mentor leader results in a squad slightly below scout standards, but since those being trained are not the physical equals to scouts, the training is hard. In full training, of those sent half will not pass, a full third of those would be perminatly incapcitated. And that is keeping the training regimine to human limits not marine limits. You for example can not force march at 20kph, full pack for 5 days straight.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-21 07:09pm

He nodded. Human limitations are what they are, though he did remember some brutal forced marches in the Schola, with stragglers being shot. All part of the weeding out process.

"We are going to be guiding the resistance efforts in the Hive Primus. While the standard training methods may not apply, instructing and inspiring the native resistance to higher levels of performance is going to be a large portion of our work," he pointed out.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-21 07:16pm

The librarians told us a story, long ago when earth was devided, a king asked his neighbor for assistance against an invader. The Neighbor sent but one man, a warrior who would teach but the simple things and lead by the example which the common soldiers would impossibly strive for. To repeat that is the mission of a Mentor Chapter.

historical note: The Spartans at Syracuse (scily)

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-21 07:18pm

He nods. "A valid principle. They must be inspired to come to grips with superior forces, better trained and better armed, protected only by their faith in Him on Terra. We will have a great deal of work to do."

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2005-01-21 07:31pm

"these are the honorless brethren of Horus, never underestemate them, they were the best of the legions before they fell. But they have a flaw, that which was Horus' downfall and sin still infects his brethren, It is their pride. You Ristani-san have inflicted great damage to them, they will seek you out personally to expunge the shame. It is that by which we will destroy them.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-21 07:39pm

He smiled wolfishly. "Let them come. If my presence can goad them into mistakes and errors in judgement that our forces may profit by... by all means, let them come."

He paused, before digging into his inexhaustible supply of pious quotes. "And the Emperor has charged each man with the solemn duty to stand against the darkness of heresy."

Typhonis 1 · Post by **Typhonis 1** » 2005-01-22 12:25am

Nathan looked at the display and couldnt help but feel....off about it.There was nothing he could put his finger on but it seemed to be well too good to be true.' The easiest path is always mined'he thought as he looked at it and still.....he noted where Gix would be landing and where the otheres would go later...why did this keep playing at his memory...so fammiliar....

'Well the game is afoot......hope the butcher bill isn`t too high'

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2005-01-22 04:53am

Pater walked up to Prius, who had become his closest thing to a confidant, because of his twinned abilities to listen and keep his mouth shut.

"I'd like to join your command, Colonel-Commissar. I need to see the Enemy face to face again, so I can smite him."

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-22 04:58am

His operation was becoming more popular by the moment. He felt a surge of faith swelling within him... obviously, the Emperor had plans for this expedition.

"It will be a pleasure to bring death to the enemies of the Emperor at your side once more, inquisitor Novum."

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2005-01-22 05:06am

"Thank you. It will be a pleasure to fight by your side, instead of drowning in tactical displays and paperwork." A brooding expression crossed over his face. "I'm starting to wonder if my promotion wasn't premature."

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-22 05:14am

Prius turned his fiery stare upon the inquisitor. His voice low but passionate, he spoke with careful precision.

"A wise man once told me that everything happens for a reason, a reason determined by the Emperor. He on Terra has faith in you, or you would not be in the position you occupy. You must justify his trust and gird your spirit with devotion to His blessed cause."

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2005-01-22 05:19am

Pater look puzzled, but then recognised his own words and broke into a grin. "Thank you, Prius. That was precisely what I needed." He slapped the Commissar on the back, and his metal hand bounced off Ristani's metal spine with a clang.
"I'll be back in a minute, but first I have bridges to mend." He walked away, humming a litany of Syracus' Ode to the Emperor in T-minor.

Pater strode up to Gix and raised his eyebrow as his overzealous staff closed in ready to kill if Pater did something rash. Deja Vu he thought.

"Inquisitor. We had harsh words a little time ago, and while I'm not in this job to make friends I don't wish to needlessly estrange myself from a worthy member of His Divine Majesty's Inquisition. We both said things in the heat of the moment, things not based in reality. I am prepared to put them behind us, if you are." Pater extended his 'real' hand.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-22 05:25am

Hmm. Even inquisitors had moments of doubt.

Fascinating.

He continued on his way to the sanitarium. While the investigation had cleared the medicae of wrongdoing in the matter of 'poisoning' Nathan, he still had his charge from Varian to fulfill.

Treachery lurks in all hearts, cadets. Never rest assured in the integrity of those around you. Always check, check, and check again. And when they show signs of falling into the blackness, act quickly and without mercy to crush them.

He had a legitimate reason for going anyway, involving some work he wanted down with his augmetics.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2005-01-22 06:24am

When Prius reached the medbay he found Pater's Vindicare assassain standing like a mannikin with his chest open and bloodstained cables hanging out, as a Medicae did his best to service his augmetic organs.
The medicae was muttering under his breath. "For the Emperor's sake I'm a doctor, not a techpriest!"

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-01-22 06:29am

Prius watched curiously. He'd never seen what his innards looked like, but he imagined they were very similar to this assassin's.

The chirurgeon had seemed surprised at how little it bothered him. He'd tried some form of counseling over his latest limb replacement, but Prius had simply been concerned with function.

Flesh given in the service of the Emperor was among the greatest offerings one could make. It was almost... addictive, in a sense. To replace the weak flesh with new, stronger components. He could understand now why the Mechanicus sought to enhance themselves so often.