Dray Says

**ribblle** · 2017-11-25, 12:17 PM (ISO 8601)

You have come to Port Wander. Perched on the edge of the Calixis Sector, in the far reaches of the Drusian Marches, Port Wander is the gateway to the Koronus Expanse and the vast untamed void beyond. The station itself hangs massive and silent in the baleful light of Rubycon II, surrounded by the shattered remnants of ancient asteroids and serviced by a flotilla of Imperial vessels both large and small.

Upon your arrival you have been greeted by several formal envoys and salutations from both the Imperial Authority and other Rogue Traders, welcoming your dynasty to port and honouring your right to passage. It dawns on you this is no less then you can expect. Your "handlers" have even respectfully retreated to satellite monitoring. However, one vox message stands out and demands your attention. Recorded in "your" new dynasty’s personal cipher, the message is from a man who calls himself Orbest Dray. He says he has been waiting a long time for a member of the family line to return, and carries a message and a gift from your Rogue Trader’s great-grandfather. He would meet with you as soon as you have docked at a specified location in the Court of the Dead; Port Wander’s vast markets. It is a matter, he says, that promises great glory. And quite the interview.

Spoiler: OOC

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Hope you scrub up well! Best not to dally overmuch, this is a pretty good job...

**Kaptin Keen** · 2017-11-25, 01:26 PM (ISO 8601)

Rufius was overwhelmed.

A few days ago, he'd never been offworld. He'd worked in the adepta, cataloguing ways to die and people who did - until, slightly drunk, he'd made an inspired speach about how he wasn't afraid of the muck lurk, and how The Emprah would protect those who did not waver.

Somehow, one thing led to another, and soon Rufius was a decent melee combatant, and respected for his ... as he'd so boldly boasted: Unwavering faith in the God-Emprah.

Rufius was frankly terrified of muck lurks, and so when the chance presented itself, he up and left.

Trying to navigate the unbelievable press of human souls, he figured: Ok ... it's simple enough: Find the Court of Souls, or whatever. Do the interview. Win!

He pressed on resolutely, trying to figure out how space stations worked. Was it like a torus affair? Or a spindle? For all he knew, it could be a cube - maybe there were elevators.

**PotatoGolem** · 2017-11-25, 02:17 PM (ISO 8601)

Macharius strode up to Rufius, expecting the crowd to part before him, as was only good and natural. The small swarm of retainers buzzing around him certainly helped convey that he wasn't a good man to try to pickpocket, as did his getup. He wasn't wearing anything so much as bedecked. The main gist of it seemed to be an Imperial Navy commander's uniform, although significantly heavier on sashes, furs, and precious metals than most military uniforms. The hat with iridescent feathers from a variety of rare-to-extinct species likely wasn't standard-issue either. He clapped Rufius on the back heartily and gripped his hand tightly.

Ah, you must be the missionary I was told about! Rufius, was it? Capital, dear boy, capital! A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm told you're quite the man! Shining beacon of unwavering faith, what! Bringing the light of our glorious emperor into the darkest of places, eh? Hoho, we'll have to move quick to get you into the thick of it with the alien before they can run from you! Wouldn't want to disappoint you with no monsters to slay, now would we?!

His voice could only be described as "booming." If he had any concern that people might be listening, he certainly wasn't showing it.

**Kaptin Keen** · 2017-11-25, 03:46 PM (ISO 8601)

Rufius is at once appalled and relieved by the spectacle addressing him.

On his home world Mud, men dressed either in no-nonsens combat gear, or tough xeno hides. The fashions and mannerisms of the wider Imperium were as unknown to him as the standard layout of a space station. So while this loud, motley person was scary - he was also someone near-infinitely more likely to be able to find their destination.

Hail, Macharius ... it is Macharius, right? Good, good.

Ah, yes. It seems by boundless faith in the Holy God Emperor has landed me a job as a missionary - and, in unrelated events, a ship.

I must confess being almost entirely unsure where we are, or where we should go. The Soul Court? Bone Court?

For all his confusion, it was clear by even the most cursory observation that Rufius was a bit of a specimen. He must have eaten well as a child, for he was tall and muscular, lean in that way that signals speed, and he wore excellent armor, with a chain sword at his side, and the almost mandatory flamer over his shoulder.

**PotatoGolem** · 2017-11-25, 08:50 PM (ISO 8601)

Lord Macharius Absalom, yes. For a brief moment, Macharius' voice is hard, and his hand rests on the sword at his waist. For a brief moment one could imagine that the it's more than a fashion accessory for a foppish dandy. The moment soon passes with another peal of laughter.

Hoho, my good man, let's go find the rest of our merry band! Roberts, fetch the man a drink! What's your poison? Brandy? Whiskey? Wine? Blake, cigars! Cooper, bring us some of those Sebastopol quail eggs and some grox tartare in case we get hungry in the meeting! Wouldn't do to meet our new associates without proper hospitality. Wouldn't do at all.

Servants swarm to provide Rufius with exotic delicacies as Macharius strides towards the Court of the Dead, assuming without looking that everyone is following.

**Xenopax** · 2017-11-25, 10:02 PM (ISO 8601)

Nemo was not used to being on space stations. Even when he was part of the inquisition he mostly hunted Heretics on his home planet.
Nemo had noticed a big man in a strange version of the imperial Navy Costume with a large retinue. He Looked like he knew what he was doing so he managed to infilitrate his group of servants.

Right now he was serving the man (whose name appeared to Be machiarus Absalon) a drink along with a Missionary whom he had picked up.

More drink Lord Abasalom?

Spoiler: OOC

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First time doing the intro. Anyone have any tips to make it better?

**Kaptin Keen** · 2017-11-26, 02:55 AM (ISO 8601)

Rufius struggles desperately to balance snacks and drinks, and try to keep up the conversation at the same time.

Well, in actuality, I'm also lord Rufius Flagrante - but honestly, it's my great uncle who's the real Lord, capital L, Fragrante.
And anyways, who cares about titles, they're just words, right? Just because our families rule expansive merchant cartels doesn't mean we're somehow better than other people, right?

Rufius scoffs at the idea.

Meanwhile, he considers: Maybe I should have brought some ... what are those called, retainers? I wonder if I could have afforded that, what does a retainer cost?

**PotatoGolem** · 2017-11-26, 01:07 PM (ISO 8601)

Thank you, Nemo. Capital man, that Nemo. Always seems to know what's needed before I ask, never seen until he's necessary, then he's always there. Practically a shadow, that man.
Wish I could recall where I employed him, I tell you, if I had-

At Rufius' comment, Macharius stops abruptly. For the first time since Nemo infiltrated his crew, the captain is at a loss for words. He stares at Rufius with a shocked expression, mouth slightly open, for a good fifteen seconds before he finally speaks.

"Who cares about titles, they're just words? Just because our families rule expansive merchant cartels doesn't mean we're somehow better than other people?" He says it slowly, incredulously, like Rufius had just told him that just because they were in a pool didn't mean they were wet, it was just water. The silence stretches on for maybe thirty seconds before he bursts out laughing.

Ohhoho, you had me there, old boy! Hohoho you looked so serious, you almost had me convinced! Now, of course, the common man has his virtues. Ignorance is purity and blindness is holiness, as the God-Emperor teaches, and all that. Sadly, it falls to those like us, those burdened with knowledge and power, to lead them for their own good. I'll command their bodies and you'll shepherd their souls, Lord Flagrante, and between the two they'll be quite all right.

Having decided that Rufius was clearly joking and is a fantastic deadpan comedian, Macharius continues on, forgetting the question of where exactly Nemo comes from and how long he's been there.

**Kaptin Keen** · 2017-11-26, 01:46 PM (ISO 8601)

For we are all equal before the Emperor, so spoke Drusus upon the mountain, the fields of victory below him, and know ye that any life given in the service of the Emperor shall be gathered home, and any life spent in comfort and folly shall be set adrift upon the void.

No man is dearer or more beloved to the Emperor than he who had nothing - but gave everything, thus spoke Curvus the Sabine.

Render unto all men that which is theirs. The Imperium rests upon the labors of common men - the high borne and the ecclesiarchy may provide direction and order, but without the laborers and the fighting men of the Imperial Guard, there would be no Empire.

Rufius waits, watching the color drain from Macharius' face, struggling to form any response. Then he cracks in a big smile, and claps the noble on his back:

I jest! All sorts of craziness can be quoted from the saints - there are thousands of years of thousands of saints, and between the two of us not all of them were ... shall we say, entirely together much of the time.

Amused, Rufius follows along, considering what other fun one might have with the ... slightly narrow view of the world the Captain seems to have.

**Hypersmith** · 2017-11-26, 02:21 PM (ISO 8601)

Ralosen

Following a step behind Macharius, Ralosen towered over the humans of the port. Even the retainers that milled about the trader kept a healthy distance from him. Unlike the adorned man, Ralosen radiated an unpleasant aura. Besides the signature red robes that marked him a tech-priest, his mechanicus bore patches and scorches, marks of expansion to accommodate his towering size. Hovering over his left shoulder was a servo skull that flit about erratically. Throughout the past week since his arrival, the skull had been his only constant companion as he salvaged supplies for an impromptu medicae area with tools and tables made tailored to his own size. It was in this area aboard the deck that he seemed most approachable.

Having held his silence so far in the conversation, Ralosen speaks, addressing Rufius with a raspy, grating voice that hardly matched his size. "There is much to be done before we can truly command our own bodies. How can we expect the commoner to understand their own impurities?" The yellowish orb that functions as his left eye swivels unnervingly as he continues to speak.

"But enough of that. Do we not gather here to find one Orbest Dray?"

**ribblle** · 2017-11-26, 03:09 PM (ISO 8601)

The Court of The Dead

"Come here. Here, youngsters."

"Absalom... you look like your uncle. Hello. I am Orbest Dray."

Beneath a tarpaulin on upturned crates and one chair, Dray leans back and takes a deep breath. He stares into the distance with a unfocused look for slightly too long, before a smile slowly unfurls across his face.

"I was once as you are, an officer aboard the Emperor's Testament. Your great-grand uncle, Karlorn, led me. Long and slow was the voyage; terrible and rudderless. At our journeys end no fleet waited for us. It was somewhere entirely new; or perhaps so old the decay had cracked it into something else entirely. Our navigator had snatched at something; like a candle in the ocean. A signal centuries dead. The call of the Righteous Path!

You don't know it? It was the ship of a man named Lorcalus Ryn, a warlord amongst warlords. A crusader. He was the bane of a hundred worlds, and one of them was Iystallian. A colony already old some 2000 years ago, lost to false gods and draped in a splendor to shame every single conquest before it! No ones sure what he found there; not even I! Some say treasures of technology, others blessed gene-crypts fit for an army. Lorcalus took his bounty and never chanced to enjoy it, and neither did we fools. The fleet needed every man, but no man could forget this. So Karlorn left me to remember. Finally..."

Dray reaches into his grubby jacket and sets a small stasis casket on the table. Lights flicker over Macharius purposefully, and it begins to whirr. It clicks, rotates, unlocks. Revealed is a small black rock. "An astropathic Mnemolith. Any psyker can read it -"

Some kind of bird? dives for the stone.

Anyone who makes this difficult (-10) perception test gets to take a half action.

Ralosen: (1d100-10)[42]≤26

Macharius: (1d100-10)[47]≤21

Nemo: (1d100-10)[32]≤28

Rufius: (1d100-10)[79]≤32

**ribblle** · 2017-11-26, 04:42 PM (ISO 8601)

Or not...

4 armed (and fashionable) men sprout across the market, encircling you in a 30m perimeter.

Initiative

"Bird" 13

Ralosen 13

~~Fashionable Gunmen 10~~

Fashionable Gunman 9

Rufius 6

Macharius 6

Nemo 6

~~2 1 Fashionable Gunmen 5~~

Servoskull 4

The bird flies up some 12 metres towards the gantries, straining with the weight of the stone.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

All of you are behind the cover of the crates, and you can declare your actions in advance.

**Kaptin Keen** · 2017-11-26, 05:07 PM (ISO 8601)

For Rufius, it is simple: He has no weapon with sufficient range, so he will have to move closer. This is no muck lurk, however - so one must assume they carry firearms, and thus, plotting a route that offers cover will be prudent. It feels tempting to bathe these villains in cleansing fire, but the density of innocent civilians discourages that course of action. Hence, it must be the sword.

Spoiler: OOC

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In other words, if there is cover to be found, Rufius will move to flank - maybe even out of sight? One can only hope.

**PotatoGolem** · 2017-11-26, 06:36 PM (ISO 8601)

Macharius is back in his element: giving orders.

Jenkins! Our helmet! Macharius dons the ornate, gold-inlaid helmet, which clicks smoothly into place with something under his finery. He draws the sword at his hip and it hisses to life, crackling with bluish energy.

Nemo! I see you've found a gun! Good chap! Give them the old what-for for House Absalom!

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Using one half action to ready the helmet and another to ready my sword. Using a free action for Exceptional Leader, targeting Nemo. Nemo has +10% to hit on his next attack. I'm staying fully behind my crate for now.

**Xenopax** · 2017-11-27, 02:02 AM (ISO 8601)

After hearing Lord Machirus give him his orders, Nemo takes a second to think to himself.
Clearly that stone is important or else the gunmen wouldn't have sent the bird to take it. Lord machirus, The tech priest and The missionary could take a few shots without major injury so the most logical target was the bird.

Nemo takes aim and fires at the bird

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I aim and shoot at the bird using two half actions. I need to beat 39 I get +30 including my aim, my Accurate talent and machirus's buff. (cant get the dice roller to work so please roll for me) if I hit I do 1d10 +5 dmg

**Hypersmith** · 2017-11-27, 10:47 AM (ISO 8601)

Ralosen trusts his servo skull AI to protect him against any incoming fire, and raises his boltgun to fire at the thieving bird. He prepares to move under the bird to receive the Mnemolith should the bird fall.

The servo skull spins to face the gunmen, returning fire to the nearest one.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Fire half action, trying to beat a 32 (1d100)[25] for (1d10+5)[14] damage and delaying a move half action to stand over the mnemolith if not catch it.

Servo skull will use a half action to aim and a half action to fire at the nearest gunman. Beating a 15+10(aim)+10(red-dot laser sight)= 35 (1d100)[64] for (1d10+2)[6] damage.

**ribblle** · 2017-11-27, 12:07 PM (ISO 8601)

The bird is smaller (-10) then you thought, throwing off your shot.

One of the gunsmen spits a steady stream of fire over you all, particularly at the towering cyborg.

Suppressing fire! - (1d100-20)[45]≤28 (38 for Ralosen)

Damage if he hits - (1d10+2)[5] pen 3

Pinned?

Ralosen - (1d100-20)[48]≤19

Servo Skull - (1d100-20)[-1]≤1

Rufius - (1d100-20)[-12]≤15

Macharius - (1d100-20)[-5]≤10

Nemo - (1d100-20)[59]≤28

**ribblle** · 2017-11-27, 12:20 PM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler: OOC

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Well i ****ed that up. Should have been +20. So Rufius is the only one who isn't pinned.

Another gunman sprays at Ralosen;

(1d100-30)[61]≤78

Have a feeling he's going to be pretty shredded...

**ribblle** · 2017-11-27, 12:50 PM (ISO 8601)

Huh. Just one shot on him.

Damage - (1d10+2)[5] pen 3

Rufius closes the distance; one of the gunmen is close enough to charge. Macharius dons his helmet and in order to keep his head, ducks without drawing his gun. Nemo lines up a shot, roused by Macharius's old-fashioned but confident encouragement;

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Modifiers and bonuses cancel out

(1d100)[41]≤39

Damage if he hits - (1d10+5)[8] pen 7

**ribblle** · 2017-11-27, 01:02 PM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Now that, was close.

Trying to escape pinning

Macharius - (1d100-20)[-17]≤10 ****ed up my rolls again; you succeed

Nemo - (1d100-20)[37]≤28 Nope

Rufius's movement clearly shows he hasn't been suppressed enough;

STAY DOWN! - (1d100-20)[67]≤28

Damage if he hits - (1d10+2)[12] pen 3

Pinned?

Rufius - (1d100-20)[67]≤15

**ribblle** · 2017-11-27, 01:18 PM (ISO 8601)

The last gunman fires at Nemo;

(1d100-30)[20]≤68 pen 3

Damage if he hits - (1d10+2)[12] pen 3

And the servoskull's shot goes wide.

The bird flies still higher, but drops the stone with a scream, exhaustion slowing it's wings. It spins through the air and lands some 20 metres away (or 2 metres away from Rufius).

**ribblle** · 2017-11-27, 01:19 PM (ISO 8601)

Oh nasty. 3 more hits;

(1d10+2)[5] pen 3

(1d10+2)[6] pen 3

(1d10+2)[10] pen 3

**ribblle** · 2017-11-27, 01:26 PM (ISO 8601)

By the way, the crates currently give you 2 AP of cover. And as for the crowd...

On a 6-10, you gain 8 ap of meatshield. Yes, the rolls are in order of shots.

Ralosen first;

(1d10)[3]

Nemo;

(1d10)[1]

(1d10)[10]

(1d10)[8]

(1d10)[5]

**Kaptin Keen** · 2017-11-27, 03:31 PM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler: OOC

Show

We find ourselves on the uncomfortable end of quite a lot of incoming lead. Good thing I brought my .... wait, no. I didn't bring anything useful for this. Except! My voice! Surely they wouldn't shoot at an envoy of the Golden Throne and the Eternal God-Emperor!

Yea. I wish I was better at ranged combat =D

**Xenopax** · 2017-11-27, 08:38 PM (ISO 8601)

Nemo takes a pot shot at the gunman giving off the suppressing fire then he hides back under his crate. He then aims at a different gun man.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I make a standard attack on the gunman who pinned us. Have to beat 39 - (1d100) [59]
If I hit I do (1d10+5) [7]

I spend another half action aiming.

**Hypersmith** · 2017-11-27, 08:55 PM (ISO 8601)

Finding the crowd quickly scattering around him and his large form drawing fire, Ralosen stays behind the boxes. He steels his nerves to leap out and attack. His harsh metallic voice rings out a command to his servo-skull. "Kill!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Ralosen is taking a half action to aim. Normal Willpower test at end of turn to end pinning. 78 to beat a 39. Servo skull aims and fires at the gunman who first opened fire. (1d100)[91] trying to beat a 35 again for (1d10+2)[9] damage

**Kaptin Keen** · 2017-11-28, 12:16 AM (ISO 8601)

Rufius, realising that an unseen flanking charge wasn't an option, and that the flimsy cover he's behind will only last so long against the onslaught of high velocity metal, prudently determines to settle for the slightly less glorious option: Fire.

BY FIRE BE CLEANSED, FOUL UNBELIEVERS! He bellows at the top of his lungs, and let's liquid flame caress the tender skin, hair and face of any adversaries in range.

Spoiler: OOC

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Are there a bunch of innocent bystanders between Rufius and the gunmen?

**PotatoGolem** · 2017-11-28, 12:19 AM (ISO 8601)

I'll announce alternative actions, depending on the result of some confusion in the OOC thread. since I won't be able to reply till tomorrow evening. Free action is the same regardless

Spoiler: If Macharius can charge a gunman without being set on fire

Show

Macharius vaults a crate and charges at one of the gunmen, bearing down on him like a fashionably-dressed whirlwind. Have at you! For Absalom and the Emperor!

OOC: Full action to charge and swing in melee with a power sword. (1d100)[55]have to be below a 52. On hit, deal (1d10+8)[16] Pen 5.

Spoiler: If I can't charge but am not pinned

Show

Macharius sprints towards the gunmen, ducking behind a crate as he readies his sword for a leap.

OOC: Run towards the closest gunman not being flamered, take cover nearby

Spoiler: If pinned

Show

Macharius drops his sword. Well! If they want to deny us a good civilized duel, I suppose we must resort to more uncivilized methods. He pulls a silver-blue pistol with thermal vents from under his jacket. It starts to whine and hum as it powers on, the air in front of it starting to shimmer.

OOC: Ready Plasma Pistol

Rufius, my good man! Run down those cads like the foul heretics they are! In the God-Emperor's name!

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Exceptional Leader, targeting Rufius, +10% on his next attack

**Kaptin Keen** · 2017-11-28, 12:23 AM (ISO 8601)

My Lord Absalom - if at all possible, do try to avoid charging into the arc of my fire!

**ribblle** · 2017-11-29, 07:36 AM (ISO 8601)

Nemo's dodge - (1d100)[18]≤36

If he dodges, he's on 8 wounds, if not, 2.

Ralosen lines up a shot

and lead screams towards the bold missionary.

(1d100)[26]≤75

Damage if he hits - (1d10+2)[7] pen 3

(1d100)[72]≤75

Damage if he hits - (1d10+2)[8] pen 3

Thread: Dray Says

Dray Says

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