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Julie, your search for the Gods that the Underhive whispered about has come to this. A large stone tomb with the mark of the Dark Gods upon the door. Hordes of filthy gangers crowd around it, shrieking and fighting to be the closest. The doors seem to have been torn open using one of the piecemeal vehicles occasionally seen in the Underhive.
An elaborately dressed figure steps out from the building and raises his arms "It is true! Rattle was right, the gods have moved! The End of the Spire is nigh!" The gathered wretches cheer and holler at the news.
"Jonar! Jonar the Knowing!"
Zurias, from your place in the crowd you watch Jonar whip his flock into a frenzy. The whispered voices have led you here for a reason, and they come to you again. Jonar the Knowing knows nothing! Will you prove your worth, prove to be more ambitious than that preaching fool?!
Adyl, Domitan, Hephaest, and Valefor, your senses are still dimmed, but the buzz of the crowd outside still reaches your ears. Your sleep seems to have ended, and the world awaits. The door has been unsealed though. This was not part of the plan. Who has discovered your chambers?
Valefor takes a moment to look over himself; all be in order, and he was most certainly still breathing, so his plan had worked! He takes a moment to remove his helmet and runs a hand through his hair, brushing it back.
"Good morning my Brothers." Valefor lets loose a dry laugh at the joke. Soon his ears perk to the cacophony beyond the threshold of their Tomb. "Oh look, the locals. Do you think one of you could be so kind as to quite them a bit. It's rather loud." He gives a half-hearted shrug as he slings his helmet to his waist and goes about collecting his armaments.
Meanwhile, in the brass contraption nearby, Adyl Dinedes slowly regains consciousness. The first thing to return is the memories of days gone by; the glories long-past along with the betrayals that followed. Fortunately his various mental illnesses followed quickly, smothering any sense of remorse before it could set in. Of course this made him incredibly, irrationally, irrevocably, angry.
While Valefor had left the inner sanctum, Adyl was still rubbing his head in frustration. Only now did he notice the doors to the sanctum had been torn open.
They're coming to get you, Adyl echoed the voice on the wind. Good, they had not left him yet. Though he was not nearly as pleased to hear other voices, these ones reverberating from outside of the tomb instead of inside his own mind.
He releases a loud, low groan. One that travels all throughout the sanctum and beyond and can easily heard by all those present.
"Incessant chattering..." he growls, though whether he refers to the gathered cultists or those voices that speak only to him, none can tell.
Zurias will force his way to the front of the throng, pushing and jostling as he goes.
Breaking through into the small open space between Jonar and the crowd, Zurias raises an accusing finger pointed at Jonar.
"Jonar the Knowing, you are a FALSE PROPHET! You do not have the blessings of the Gods, and you are UNFIT to speak in their name! Your pride and arrogance has raised you above those around you, but now a TIME OF RECKONING HAS COME! Kneel before the true Voice of the Gods, or witness their POWER!
Thought Sending (+40) Unfettered (WP 59) Psy Rating 4 (+20) 139
<You cannot win this...you will be torn apart if you try>
Lash of Submission Unfettered Psy Rating 4 (WP 59 + 20 (Psy Rating4)) 79
(This is an Opposed WP Test)
Psychic Phenom +10
+10= 24
Zurias points at Jonar, then brings his hand back, making a fist as he reaches into the Warp to force his will upon Jonar. The Warp responds with a torrent of power at the beckoning, and Zurias struggles to control the tide. Small waves of Warp energy lap around Zurias as he forces the truculent power to his will, allowing small eddies to flow where they may.
A haunting breeze whips around Zurias, blowing light objects, and whipping Zurias' hair dramatically. Any flames within () meters gutter and dim slightly.
Either way, I would have won. If he knelt, I would have shown my dominance; if he stood still I would have killed him where he stood, proving my power and dominance. Test me again, beloved.
Initializing, initializing, initializing...
Power cores, long dormant, come to life and send power throughout their systems. Nutrients flow through preserved flesh, revivifying meat dead for so millennia. A discordant crackle comes from the figure of the techpriest as his body shakes slightly and he returns to consciousness. He stands still for a while, information flowing from his sensors and relayed from the armour of his masters as they awaken.
"My lords, our torpor is over, and we may wait no longer. What are your orders?"
Domitan grumbles in annoyance at his sleep being disturbed. With a breath, he clears his throat, chest rumbling like an idling Chainsword.
"Let us see what manner of fool has awakened us early. I would have words with him."
And quite possibly more than that.
Domitan casts his mid's power around the area.
"Who are you that dares interrupt Jonar? The gods of the crypt shall smite you for this insolence!" Jonar points towards the door of the crypt, where you spot a crude flamer rigged to 'smite' those brought before the tomb. Unfortunately, you only spotted it once the flames ignited. Time to dodge.
LOW DOG! You presume to attack me with charlatan's fire? Feel the FURY OF THE GODS!
Zurias grips the small chaos charm attached by a thin chain to his waist.
Doombolt Unfettered Psy Rating 4 Psy-focus (59+20+10= 89)
Two possible crits! lol
1d5 Agi Damage and Blood Loss
Attack tears anything free that he held in his hand
Crap...I gave the wrong crit info...Doombolts are energy, not rending lol
Arm: The attack grazes the target's arm, causing it to spasm uncontrollably. All tests involving that arm suffer a -30 penalty for rounds
Leg: the blast causes a nasty compound fracture in the target's leg. The target reduces his movement by half (round up) and may not run or charge. This effect persists until the target receives medical attention.
I've re-read Evasion vs. Auto Fire, Multiple Attacks and Area Effect Attacks (p. 235) and it says each degree of success allows you to evade one additional hit. Roll Dodge and get three degrees to miss all of it!
"Pfffttt..... Hahahahhaaa! Seriously? Are the little cultists fighting each other already for the favor of their gods? They haven't even given their gods time to wake up! If they have hangovers, they may be angry at you for all this noise.." Julie is laying down at quite a distance away, on an elevated rooftop, shrouded in her cloak, examining the scene through the sights of her long-las. She cares not about the sound of her raised voice, as it is unlikely to be heard over the frenzied flock.
Upon seeing the display of sorcererous power, an eyebrow raises.
"Hmm... Time to join the winning team.." Her voice hushes as she begins to get down to business. She adjusts her target and fires.
Half-Action Aim, half action standard shot, at poor NPC of awakening powers he did not comprehend.
Jonar is blasted with horrible Warp power, and a lasbolt to the leg to boot. The crowd falls silent for a moment, then begins shrieking again. Those in the front row who survived the fire rush forward and claw at Jonar's belongings, seeking anything that looks better than what they have. Those who cannot push through the crowd content themselves with eating the burned.
Domitan, the manipulation of Warp is obvious to you now. A fellow Sorcerer stands without the chamber.
Domitan strides over to the door and pushes it open to observe the chamber beyond. His keep eyes hunt for the psyker, but fail him.
His mind is much sharper, and identifies one young man with a brilliant Psychic aura.
"Who disturbs our rest?" Domitan thunders imperiously as he gazes down upon the gathered cultists. The Warp-toasted apostate is immediately dismissed as insignificant, as are much of the rest of the rabble.
Domitan draws his beloved Force Scythe ZweiDurchtrennen, and leans on it like a staff.
"SIIIIIIIIILENCE!" bellows Adyl from within the sanctum. Finally pushed beyond the breaking point he rises out of his resting place. Luckily he had the foresight to leave the mag-locks on his weapons when he was entombed otherwise he would have forgotten them in his haste.
He bursts through the doors out into the chamber beyond, following closely behind Domitan and literally tossing aside the rickety flamer as he does so. Without a helmet the rage burning in his eyes is easily visible and he towers above the assembled mortals.
Without explanation he rushes to the nearest figure and delivers a brutal kick.
The cultist is struck in the arm and sent rolling away from the sheer force of the blow.
After Domitan asks his question Adyl quickly follows with another shout. "Well!? You all were so full of vigor but a moment ago. Surely one of you must yet wish to be heard? So speak now lest my patience wanes."
I overthrew their leader and have taken his place!
Zurias removes his helmet and shakes out his long black hair. He is conventionally attractive, even with the half domino mask that obscures his left eye and cheekbone.
I am Zurias the Sensate, and I am pleased to make your acquiantance.
Turning to the gathered throng, Zurias shouts over the din.
DREGS OF THE UNDERHIVE!!! For too long have you wallowed in filth and misery! For too long have you accepted the cast offs and detritus of those who presume to be your betters! Would you follow us? Would you rise up and take what is yours from them who would withhold it?? For whom do you stand??
Valefor finishes collecting his things before he strides out calmly, his face impassive as he stands just past the threshold the tomb. He casts an eye around seeing first his cohorts terrorizing the locals, then the recently discarded flamer, then the smoldering husk of a body, and finally his cold eyes land on a man as he stands tall and proclaims to the surrounding masses.
With a raise of his eyebrow and a small sniff of disapproval Valefor moves forward and stands with the other Marines. "Well met Zurias the Sensate - " His eyes glance over the man and slowly move across the crowd, "and you all." He smiles coldly.
Meanwhile.... On a rooftop behind the sights of a long las.
"Two out of ten... Eeeuugh... Negative infinity out of ten... One out of ten.. Oooh, five out of ten."
Some of the worshippers flee at the sight of their gods walking around, others faint, the rest continue cheering. Most of the crowd are obviously weak, simply here because the rest were here. A rare few display the traits prized by your masters. Aggression, Knowledge, Caring, Appreciation. These individuals may prove worthy.
Twitchy little things.
Domitan grumbles under his breath for a few seconds before Sending his thoughts towards the loud revolutionary cultist.
<As you claim to have control over these serfs, prove it. Let us see if they are capable or incompetent.>
Thought Sending (+40) Unfettered (WP 59) Psy Rating 4 (+20) 139
<Of course they're incompetent, and as for their capability, they are a mob. You should know what that is capable of...>
MY PEOPLE!!! I will move among you...selecting the most capable as an honor guard. All will have their orders and all will have a place in our plan!
Zurias turns slightly to address Domitan
Thought Sending (+40) Unfettered (WP 59) Psy Rating 4 (+20) 139
<Perhaps you'd like to "review the troops"? Hehehe> Is he mocking the troops? Or you? <I'm sure your insight will be most enlightening!>
Zurias turns and moves toward the rabble
Pretentious little blighter, isn't he?
Domitan turns to Valefor and Adyl.
<What are your thoughts on this rabble? The loud one seems competent, but is there another?>
"Hephaest. Find the one who shot the scum that woke us up."
Valefor's eyes slide lazily over the smoldering husk, observing all the damage it had received. As he notes a hole ripped through it's leg he unclasps his helmet and sets it upon his head, tapping a few buttons just under the jawline as the helmet flashes into life and the visors over his eyes glow a dull red.
His head slowly lifts from the body and begins to scan the surrounding buildings and areas of high elevation.
Suddenly his head snaps still as he stares out at the huddled figure atop a building. He carefully removes his helmet, careful to never remove his eyes from the form, and his sharp senses hone in even after his helmet has been removed.
"There may be one other." He mutters to his comrades as a smirk crosses his lips. He blows a small kiss in the direction of the shooter and motions for her to come and join them. Although smiling, his eyes seem to betray a colder side.
Zurias moves among the gathered throng, asking one question of each person. How far are you willing to go to win? His demeanor is neutral as he considers the answers he is given, but he is no fool. There may still be some who are loyal to the memory of Jonar, so he keeps his eyes open to treachery.
".... Well, how can I resist an invitation like that from five?" Julie pulls back her hood, shaking her hair out of it.
Julie leaped from the building gently, slinging her long las onto her back mid jump.
And this is the important part...
"Returning your call, I'm Julie Dei Vult." Julie returns the blown kiss, hands empty. From up close, it can be clearly seen that she does not belong among the underhive.
Giving a momentary glance to Zurias' rabble rousing, Julie makes some quick assumptions before looking back to Valefor and the rest of the marines. "So, gentlemen, if you're inviting the ladies, I presume you have a venue for dancing in mind? Or do you only know the dance, but not the local scene?"
Hepharst bows to Domitan and steps forward, but halts after Valefor calls out to the sniper. He stands back, and runs diagnostics on his integrated systems to try to determine how long they slept.
He voxes the marines. ++My lords, we have waited in this vault a long time. I am trying to determine a precise length, but we have slept for several thousand years, an age greater than the Long Night.++
Pretentious little blighter, isn't he?
Domitan turns to Valefor and Adyl.
<What are your thoughts on this rabble? The loud one seems competent, but is there another?>
Adyl stands up completely straight, eyes wide with shock, as the psychic worm their way into his mental defenses.
He grips his head with both hands and howls in pain as the sorcerers power easily find their way through. Deep within his head the ancient Buther's Nails are malfunctioning as a result of the mental communication, causing the sense of gut-wrenching pain to spread all over his body. He digs his fingers into his scalp, literally trying to tear the offending sense out of his head. Of course, failing that, his next instinct is to find the nearest living thing and kill it. His hand is staid at the last second by the voices once again returning to his mind, overwhelming all other sense while they spoke: Endure it, oaf! You jeopradize everything with your foolish outbursts!
So chastised Adyl is left with no other recourse than to let his arms fall to his side, so powerful were the voices that held sway over him. Instead he grits his teeth and responds to the nearby heretek, though it takes nearly all of his focus to merely speak coherently at this point.
"Nary ten millennia, I'd think. At least I gathered so much from the dreams that found me in my stupor."
He really hoped that he would not have to endure this feeling often.
Valefor gives a twisted smile and lets out a small laugh, "No. I certainly do not know this place, and I prefer just listening to the music more than the dance itself." He moves a hand over his combat knife and taps it with a finger, letting the dull thump ring for a moment. "Ah, the way it can sing." He gives another small laugh.
He moves to the forefront of the gathered crowd as he calls, "Zurias the Sensate, Voice of the People, Champion of the Crypt - COME! Join us here so that we may bestow our graces!" He motions with an arm, inviting the man.
"And to the rest of you! We have awoken to a bright and glorious future, and for that we have you, our truest devotees, to share that in. This here shall be our Holy Land. This here shall be our Monastery. Our Shrine. Our Throne! With our guidance, I promise you all a future beyond this pit of despair, and high in the clouds of this citadel.
Come and worship here at the base of this Holy Crypt, prostrate yourselves and have glory shine down upon you! Build an Altar so that it may be blessed with the glory of a new hope, a new life, and a new World!"
After he gives his short speech to the gathered, Valefor walks back towards the relative privacy of the Tomb. As he walks he mutters a bit softer to his comrades, "We should speak in a more private setting, away from these foolish mortals." He spits the word mortals as a look of disgust rolls across his face momentarily.
Domitan nods once, his black helmet bobbing in the gloom.
I do wish they wouldn't call it 'dancing.' It sounds so trite.
Domitan lightly taps the butt of ZweiDurchtrennen on the ground, waiting for Valefor to get to the point.
He will do as a leader. For now. Domitan's ever-changing eyes gaze through the glowing yellow lens of his helmet's eyepieces, sweeping across the group.
Shame none of my kin are present. I would have liked to have given this world a Black Legion welcome.
@the remaining fifty
Remain here and guard the doors. None are to disturb us. Should any authority figures come to this place, one runner should alert us within. While you wait, prepare a list of the gangs that infest the surrounding territory. Our conquest starts there.
Zurias turns and walks up the stairs and joins the rest of the group.
"Oooh?" Julie was in thought for a moment, before picking the conversation up with Valefor again as they walked inside.
"If I am to extend the metaphor correctly, where dancing is the subtle and precise guerrilla warfare we strike at the Imperium with, is the singing the tune which calls us to dance, or the lament in our wake?"
Zurias stops half way to the door and turns around.
And bring us a cask or two of wine. And some food. And make some pliable flesh, boy or girl, or both, if available. Planning a conquest always whets my appetite.
Delude Unfettered Psy Rating 4 Psy Focus (59+20+10= 89)
One degree :P
Charm/Delude: Charm 60+5=65 (one degree of success on Delude)
"So! You have woken and seek to conquer this world. That is my quest as well, but I cannot complete this quest while referring to you as "You there" and "Hey you!". As I have already stated, my name is Zurias, and I am at your service"
Zurias sketches a courtly bow
Eyeing each person in turn, he says,
"I would have your names..." as his eyes light on Julie "and perhaps so much more. But not now. You must be hungry after such a long sleep. Victuals, refreshment and diversion are on the way. Once delivered we can obtain more information about this hive and formulate a full plan for dominion.
"I am Adyl Dinedes, of the World Eaters." snaps Adyl. He wasn't particularly angry at Zurias, he was just riding out the remnants of the psychic backlash in his head. He starts to say something else, but stops as some unseen force chastises him.
"Valefor Du'in of the -" Valefor stops and looks down at his armor and scans it as though seeing it for the first time. "Purple Marines?" He finishes, somewhat exasperated. He rubs his temples before continueing, "As much as I would love to have a wonderful party thrown in my honor I feel as though our current abode is rather dreary and - He runs a hand over a dusty chest, "disgusting. I was hoping we could talk about where would be a good place to plant as a base of operations. Large enough for some of those overgrown apes outside, but small enough so as to not draw too much attention."
Domitan sighs softly.
"I am Domitan, Sorcerer of the Black Legion."
Domitan frowns at Adyl from behind his helm. I am supposed to be the taciturn, scheming one. Not this berserker of Khorne.
Domitan huffs quietly.
"I would prefer a place a bit further away from the rabble. I desire to commune with the Warp."
"Well, I've got a fairly nice pad, but I think my host would take slight offense to a lady of my standing bringing home this many men in one go, and especially on a first date. And while I know a lot about this planet, the contents of the underhive is not one of them."
"Lady Julienne Hazier, but friends call me Julie Dei Vult." Julie seems slightly irritated as she answers Zurias with a hint of a glare.
"Hmmm" Valefor drums his fingers against one of his holstered weapons impatiently, "We need a change of scenery, and I have a feeling a few of us need to stretch our limbs a bit, I know I could go for a walk." He gives a cold laugh, "I'm not one for democracy, however I would hate to start us all off on the wrong foot. I vote that we go and acquire a new residence." He removes his shotgun from a holster along the small of his back, making sure that it is properly loaded.
He tilts his head to one side, as if in thought, "We need a proper Shrine of some kind. I suggest we convince that writhing pile of stupidity out there to fashion this tomb into something usable. An altar, a few killings, whatever - I'm sure they can work something out while we are away."
After waiting a few beats for someone else to "vote", it seemed clear to Julia that no one knew the area and had any ideas for how to execute Valefor's plan, or any counterpoints. She decided to make this revelation clear. To everyone. Loudly and imperiously.
"Ok, so it's clear none of us are happy in this poor excuse for a tomb, none of us know the area, and so none of you have any other ideas. If you'll excuse me for taking charge, I'm going to go outside, scan the horizon for the fanciest structure, and then we are going to bust down the door and take it over." Her statement of asking for excuse seemed anything but genuine, and it didn't seem like she was even trying. "Hopefully, due to it being a fancy structure, someone there will have money and influence. We will make this person tell us anything we want to know about the area." Julie seemed quite irritated that none of these supposed gods seemed to have the force of personality or focus of purpose necessary to command them into action.
The techpriest follows the marines, and says, "My lords, this is a paltry force for overthrowing a hive. I am certain you will gather more servants, and keep your efforts hidden until ready. If the galaxy has not changed too much, than the sniveling techpriests who cringe to Terra must maintain the machinery that keeps this hive alive. At your orders, I can aid in infiltrating them so we can learn more about this place and have access to facilities to build weapons for our forces and to strangle this place when needed."
Valefor raises his eyebrows in mild surprise, "I had thought we would just take a stroll through the city, however having a destination in mind first would be beneficial."
Valefor exits the Tomb to assess the status of his new followers. He moves to the forefront of their group and looks out among them, trying to see if he can find a subject that he can leave care of the congregation to.