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[Warhammer 40k: Dark Heresy PbP] A Trial by Fire (IC/OoC)
susan
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
You wake up on a cold metal bunk, only the dimmest of light seeping in through the cracks around a solid steel containment door. Your assigned red jumpsuit is getting filthier by the minute, and if you don’t move quickly the warren rats will finish off the rancid refined soy gruel that the guards slid under your door last night. You grab the tray, setting it on your bed while you move to a sink to splash lead-tinted water over your face. All around you your cage vibrates and thumps, rocking with the industrial lifeblood surrounding you on this thrice damned planet you’re stuck on.
The warden mentioned a new gravel pit yesterday. That would be a nice change of pace; it’d get you out in the sun at least.
Your door slides open, spilling artificial light over the dingy interior of your cell. It’s too early to start work; the shift guards don’t start for another two hours. As your eyes adjust you see two rows of armored escorts and the greasy, grinning face of the block warden. He steps into the room, dangling a single piece of paper casually through the air between his thumb and forefinger. “Well lucky you, you’re getting sprung and I’ve hardly had a chance to get to know you.” Your heart leaps up to your throat as you glance down at the transfer form, only to have it sink once more as you realize the wax seal affixing the signature could only be that of the Inquisition...
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Game Type: Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy RPG
Submissions: Up to 2 per person. I don't need more than a few sentences or so of background and personality, but hey, if you want to write more, by all means. You should also answer the following question: How did I wind up in a Jail Cell on a Forge World?
Character Creation: Choose your Homeworld, Class and Starting Equipment from the listed options. I hate random stat-rolling, so I’m using the Rogue Trader point system here (you get a flat 100 points to add to your base ability scores as you choose; no more than 20 points in an ability, and the points are not scaled.). Assume you roll Max for starting money and Fate Points, though you do get to roll random for your Divination (post the link to your roll), though you can burn a Fate point and reroll it if you’re exceptionally unhappy with the result.
Grammar: Strongly preferred.
Dice Rolling/Sheets: I am a fan of Invisible Castle for rollers, though if you know of other good ones, I always love to learn new things. Don’t know of any sheet hosting sites for Dark Heresy, so just Spoiler your pertinent stats here and they’ll get grouped up.
Story and Setting: This is designed to be a one-shot adventure, with your characters running a quick task for an Inquisitor on a Forgeworld you somehow got yourself in trouble on. If things go smashingly successfully it may continue, but it’s designed to be fun even if it ends quickly.
Players: 5ish of all shapes and sizes.
Posting Schedule: I ain't gonna lie, there's probably gonna be times where I can't post for a couple days, and I know that real life happens to people too. I'll try to keep up at least 1 post per day when I'm able, though, and hope that I can keep my players enthusiastic enough throughout so they do the same. If you're gonna hit a rough spot (finals, big project, etc) and want someone to take over your guy for a few days, cool. And if you're in the game and need to drop for whatever reason, please do post a quick message either on the board or to my Inbox; it happens, it's alright, it was fun to game with you, just please let us know so we can move on and decide whether to bring someone else in.
Submission Cutoff and Game Starting Date: It is Wednesday the 18th; I’d like to have this game up and running the week before PAX, so I’ll say that the cutoff date is next Wednesday the 25th, 11:59pm PST with the game starting not long afterward.
Combat Map: I'm going to have an optional shared map for this campaign, so players can move their characters if they choose and so that if I get busy or held up a kindly player can go in and remove dead bad guys and knock them around. I've found with past DMing experience that the Map is often the biggest headache as far as fights go (this has probably killed a couple games I've tried to run); my hope with this is that through group effort and willingness to cooperate the combats will proceed at a steady fast pace and won't get bogged down by players waiting for an update. We’ll use a Google Drawing Document, hosted by me and shared with the players that want it. The image on the site will automatically update as the core document is modified. It’s actually pretty cool once you try it.
Let me know your thoughts and questions, and I look forward to the game
.
The warden mentioned a new gravel pit yesterday. That would be a nice change of pace; it’d get you out in the sun at least.
Your door slides open, spilling artificial light over the dingy interior of your cell. It’s too early to start work; the shift guards don’t start for another two hours. As your eyes adjust you see two rows of armored escorts and the greasy, grinning face of the block warden. He steps into the room, dangling a single piece of paper casually through the air between his thumb and forefinger. “Well lucky you, you’re getting sprung and I’ve hardly had a chance to get to know you.” Your heart leaps up to your throat as you glance down at the transfer form, only to have it sink once more as you realize the wax seal affixing the signature could only be that of the Inquisition...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Game Type: Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy RPG
Submissions: Up to 2 per person. I don't need more than a few sentences or so of background and personality, but hey, if you want to write more, by all means. You should also answer the following question: How did I wind up in a Jail Cell on a Forge World?
Character Creation: Choose your Homeworld, Class and Starting Equipment from the listed options. I hate random stat-rolling, so I’m using the Rogue Trader point system here (you get a flat 100 points to add to your base ability scores as you choose; no more than 20 points in an ability, and the points are not scaled.). Assume you roll Max for starting money and Fate Points, though you do get to roll random for your Divination (post the link to your roll), though you can burn a Fate point and reroll it if you’re exceptionally unhappy with the result.
Grammar: Strongly preferred.
Dice Rolling/Sheets: I am a fan of Invisible Castle for rollers, though if you know of other good ones, I always love to learn new things. Don’t know of any sheet hosting sites for Dark Heresy, so just Spoiler your pertinent stats here and they’ll get grouped up.
Story and Setting: This is designed to be a one-shot adventure, with your characters running a quick task for an Inquisitor on a Forgeworld you somehow got yourself in trouble on. If things go smashingly successfully it may continue, but it’s designed to be fun even if it ends quickly.
Players: 5ish of all shapes and sizes.
Posting Schedule: I ain't gonna lie, there's probably gonna be times where I can't post for a couple days, and I know that real life happens to people too. I'll try to keep up at least 1 post per day when I'm able, though, and hope that I can keep my players enthusiastic enough throughout so they do the same. If you're gonna hit a rough spot (finals, big project, etc) and want someone to take over your guy for a few days, cool. And if you're in the game and need to drop for whatever reason, please do post a quick message either on the board or to my Inbox; it happens, it's alright, it was fun to game with you, just please let us know so we can move on and decide whether to bring someone else in.
Submission Cutoff and Game Starting Date: It is Wednesday the 18th; I’d like to have this game up and running the week before PAX, so I’ll say that the cutoff date is next Wednesday the 25th, 11:59pm PST with the game starting not long afterward.
Combat Map: I'm going to have an optional shared map for this campaign, so players can move their characters if they choose and so that if I get busy or held up a kindly player can go in and remove dead bad guys and knock them around. I've found with past DMing experience that the Map is often the biggest headache as far as fights go (this has probably killed a couple games I've tried to run); my hope with this is that through group effort and willingness to cooperate the combats will proceed at a steady fast pace and won't get bogged down by players waiting for an update. We’ll use a Google Drawing Document, hosted by me and shared with the players that want it. The image on the site will automatically update as the core document is modified. It’s actually pretty cool once you try it.
Let me know your thoughts and questions, and I look forward to the game
. 2010 PAX DM Challenge Grand Champion
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
susan on
0
Posts
I see no reason why not, sure.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Origin: Hive World (Specialist class)
Class: Tech-Priest
Rank: Technographer
Weapon Skill: 31
Ballistic Skill: 33
Strength: 28
Toughness: 30
Agility: 32
Intelligence: 32
Perception: 30
Willpower: 25
Fellowship: 36
Skills:
Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int)
Speak Language (Hive Dialect) (Int)
Tech-Use (Int)
Literacy (Int)
Secret Tongue (Tech) (Int)
Trade (Scrimshawer) (Ag)
Traits:
Accustomed to Crowds (crowds are not Difficult Terrain, no penalty to Ag test for Running or Charging through crowd)
Caves of Steel (treats Tech-Use (Int) as Basic Skill)
Hivebound (-10 to Survival (Int) rolls, -5 to Int rolls if not in manufactured environment)
Wary (+1 to Initiative rolls)
Mechanicus Implants (Electro-Graft; Electoo Inductors; Respirator Unit - +20 to resist airborne toxins and gas weapons; Cyber-Mantle; Potentia Coil; Cranial Circuitry)
Talents:
Melee Weapon Training (Primitive)
Basic Weapon training (Las)
Pistol training (Las)
Electro Graft Use
Gear:
Metal staff
Las pistol
Las pistol charge pack x 1
Las carbine
Las carbine charge pack x 1
Knife
Flak vest
Glow lamp
Data-slate
Mechanicus robes and vestments (Good Quality clothing)
5 spare parts
Vial of Sacred Machine Oil
Wounds: 11
Fate Points: 2
Thrones: 159
Imperial Divination: "Even a man who has nothing can still offer his life." (Strength +2)
Insanity Points: 4
Obviously he was rolled completely randomly and would need a little tweaking, but he should be reasonably ready to go.
Obviously poor Gallus did something terrible to be put in jail, like lubricate the Holy Machine That Goes Ping with the wrong grade of holy oil.
Squints - Noobs are very much welcome
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
I was thinking an Imperial World Guardsman that was put on trial for killing a fellow guardsman and refused to defend himself - some believe it was in self-defense.
The other was a Void Born Assassin that was tasked with killing a ranking officer, only to learn th at someone hacked or changed the transmission. With no prof, he was jailed for his crime and is awaiting execution.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/dhadvanced.html?
Yeah, I've played with that. It doesn't do point buy and you'd still have to buy skills for 1st level, but otherwise it's a great program for getting the basics down on your guys and selecting the nuts and bolts options. You can take the base character and redo the abilities via point buy easily enough. And both those character concepts sound lovely.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Let me see if I can get a hold of the book long enough to make a character, I do like some sci-fi gaming.
3DS Code: 5043-2172-1361
Xbone Tag: Salal al Din
Very much so
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
3DS Code: 5043-2172-1361
Xbone Tag: Salal al Din
No on both counts, though depending on how long your characters have been in jail you may have struck up conversations before.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Are you allowing stuff from the Inquisitors Handbook players guide? I kind of like the Scholam home world option, as opposed to the basic Imperial one.
And I'm guessing the Sisters of Battle are out of the running as player options?
Hey Sista, Go Sista, Soul Sista, Go Sista...
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
3DS Code: 5043-2172-1361
Xbone Tag: Salal al Din
Ignance Havelock
Scholam Progenium born Guardsman
Stats/Character Sheet
Skills: All basic skills, literacy, speaks high and low gothic, Drive (Ground vehicles), Common Lore (Administratum, Ecclesarchy, Imperial Creed, Imperium & War), Scholastic Lore (Philosophy)
Talents:
Melee Weapons Training (Primitive), Pistol Weapon Training (Primitive, Las, SP), Basic Weapons Training (Las, SP), Schola Education, Skill at Arms, Sheltered Upbringing, Tempered Will
Gear:
Knife, Sword, Lasgun w/ 2 Charge Packs, Las Pistol w/ 1 Charge Packs, Shotgun w/ 12 shells, Hand Cannon w/ 60 bullets, Corpse Starch rations (1 week), Uniform, Guard Flak Armor, Blackpack
Thrones: 2
Imperial Divination = 75 "The Only True Fear is of Dying With Your Duty not Done" +2 Wounds
Ignance Havelock is a young product of the scholam progenium. Gifted with an aptitude for violence and unflinching loyalty to the God-Emperor and the Imperium of Man, Ignance was quickly singled out for officer training and possibly the commisariat. Ignance would never get the chance however. He made the same mistake that many junior commisars make: He made friends with the troops.
So much so, that when a few members of his regiment were caught trading Guard-pattern Lasrifles to local hivers for obsura and amasec while on furlough on on some God-Emperor forsaken Forge world, Ignance tried to cover for his friends instead of exacting the punishment they so deserved.
The troopers were executed with little fanfare, and Ignance was given 5 lashes and thrown in a local jail until the regiment returned from a training exercise on a nearby moon.
Edit: Added wounds and fate points
Ignance Havelock, Guardsman - Steelhawk
Gallus, Tech-Priest - Wildcat (Still can be tweaked and modified)
Any other takers? The game would get awful lonely awful fast with just two players.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Fate Points: 3
Insanity Points: 9 (Hunted+Chem Geld)
Name: Cromwell
Homeworld: Imperial World (Fuedal)
Career: Imperial Psyker
Rank: Sanctionite
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Divination: Be a boon to your brothers and bane to your enemies. (+3 Fel)
Traits: Blessed Ignorance
Basic Skills: Common Lore (Imperial Creed) (Int), Common Lore (Imperium) (Int), Common Lore (War) (Int), Literacy (Int), Speak Language (High Gothic) (Int)
Advanced Skills: Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int), Psyniscience (Per), Invocation (WP), Literacy (Int), Trade (Soothsayer) (Fel)
Talents: Melee Weapons Training (Primitive), Pistol Weapons Training (SP), Chem Geld, Meditation, Quick Draw
Gear: staff, knife (psykana mercy blade), quilted vest, tatty robe (Poor Quality Clothing), Psy-Focus, sanctioning brand, sword (Mono), deck of cards, combat stub revolver and 23 bullets, Frag grenade
Thrones: 4
Psychic Powers: Distort Vision, Fearful Aura, Healer
Psy Rating 1
Rolls
Cromwell comes from a fuedal world, at least initially. His latent abilities earned him a place of luxury in the king's court and while he was trained in the use of a sword those same abilities insured he never had to draw his blade. That is, until the Imperium absorbed him into its trillions of souls.
The jarring transition from his lavish life to being just another name on a list, taking orders which have trickled down through Emperor knows how many levels of administration has never quite settled for him. Cromwell constantly tested the limits of his superiors' leniency until finally he was cut loose, branded a rogue and stripped of the legal protection he usually enjoyed. It didn't take long for him to fall under lock and key, but it appears his release will be nearly as quick.
If you guys wouldn't mind the hand-holding, I'd love to join. If not, I'd totz understand.
Thanks for the encouragement but the D&D characters in your signature belie what I'm sure is nothing short of pen and paper expertise! Maybe I'm too steeped in the lore of my brief Dark Heresy readings but I find this to be mildly intimidating. WHAT IF I RUIN EVERYTHING?!
On that note, I guess I'll get started on a character.
I think most of the people submitting for this thread (myself included) have never played Dark Heresy before. While we may have a bit of Pen and Paper experience, new systems always entail a bit of a learning curve, and I'd very much welcome a total noob on the mission
Lookin' forward to the game
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
What kind of help did you need? The Character Generator you pointed to will get you through Character Creation up to a point, and we can help with the buying of Talents and Skills and the like.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
BS: 40 (+15+5)
S: 25 (+10)
T: 25 (+5)
Ag: 40 (+20)
Int: 25 (+5)
Per: 43 (+20)
WP: 30 (+5)
Fel: 25 (+5)
Wounds: 11
Fate Points: 3
Insanity Points: 0
Corruption Points: 0
Thrones: 0
Name: Uriah
Homeworld: Void Born
Career: Assassin
Rank: Sell-steel
Gender: Male
Build: Gaunt
Skin Color: Fair
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Grey
Age: 24
Quirk: You have unusually elegant hands.
Ship Tradition: Rogue Trader
Divination: A suspicious mind is a healthy mind. (+3 Perception)
Starting XP: 300
Starting Package: The Sons of Dispater
Traits: Charmed, Ill-Omened, Shipwise, Void Accustomed
Basic Skills: Navigation (Stellar) (Int) (Shipwise), Pilot (Starcraft) (Ag) (Shipwise), Awareness (Per), Dodge (Ag), Intimidate (S)
Advanced Skills: Speak Language (Ship Dialect) (Int), Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int), Common Lore (Underworld) (Int), Security (Ag), Silent Move (Ag)
Talents: Melee Weapons Training (Primitive), Basic Weapons Training (SP), Pistol Training (SP), Ambidextrous, Thrown Weapons Training, Heightened Senses (Sound)
Gear: stub automatic with silencer and two clips of ammunition, knife, 3 doses of stimm, charge (corpse hair), black bodyglove (Common Quality Clothing), Mesh Vest (Body, 4 AP), shotgun and 12 shells, 10 throwing knives, lucky rat's foot (memento), small stone bowl (memento)
Special Qualities: None
Family: Your mother's name is Stigga. She walks the path of the Arbitrator. Your father's name was Silon. He walked the path of the Assassin. He is deceased. Your brother's name was Bruul. He walked the path of the Imperial Psyker. He is deceased.
I "bought" the Sons of Dispater package. So I have points to put into my abilities, and need to buy skills or something?
I don't have my books on me (at work), but if you let us know what kind of character you want to play we can help you purchase things to finish your character.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Let's see...
Perception: Well, you should put some points in Perception
Stealth: Agility is your friend, and I'm certain there's a skill/talent or two that would let you be nice and ghost-like.
Damage: Now this all depends on what kind of Assassin you'd like, Shooty or Stabby. For Shooty, focus on BS and a good gun. For Stabby, you'll need high WS, Strength, and a good stabbing implement. Both paths will also have bonus skills/talents to even further make you an engine of death.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
150 Thrones can buy quite a bit, actually. I'll post some options once I get my books back in hand.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
I intentionally chose Scum, thinking that I'd choose some abilities that the group might be lacking in it's current status, like Navigation, Barter, etc., but I have not added my 100 Characteristic Points or purchased any additional skills or equipment.
Here we go...
Homeworld: Hive World
Career: Scum
Rank: Dreg
Gender: Female
Build: Wiry
Skin Color: Tan
Hair Color: Mousy
Eye Color: Blue
Age: 23
Quirk: You have a bullet wound scar.
Hive Class: Hive Noble
Divination: (27) "Even a man who has nothing can still offer his life." Increase Strength by +2.
Starting XP: 400
Thrones: 60 - 1 (Purchase 20 Shells) = 59 - 30 (Purchase Grapnel) = 29 - 20 (Purchase 2 Corpse Starch Ration Packs) = 9 - 5 (Purchase 1 Fire Bomb) = 4 Thrones
WS: 32
BS: 30 +5 (Ballistic Skill Simple Advance)
S: 28 +2 (Imperial Divination)
T: 23
Ag: 32 +5 (Agility Simple Advance)
Int: 37
Per: 25
WP: 35
Fel: 35 +5 (Fellowship Simple Advance)
Wounds: 10
Fate Points: 3
Traits:
Accustomed to Crowds
Caves of Steel (Tech Use (Int) is a Basic Skill)
Hivebound (Penalty: -10 to Survival (Int) Tests and while out of "Proper Hab", e.g. places without manufactured goods, solid ceilings, and electrical power), -5 penalty to all Intelligence Tests)
Wary (Bonus: +1 to Initiative Rolls)
Basic Skills:
Tech-Use (Int) [Caves of Steel]
Advanced Skills:
Speak Language (Hive Dialect) (Int), Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int), Deceive (Fel), Awareness (Per), Charm (Fel), Blather (Fel), Common Lore (Imperium) (Int)
Talents:
Melee Weapons Training (Primitive), Pistol Training (SP), Basic Weapons Training (SP), Ambidextrous, Navigation (Surface)
Gear:
Brass Knuckles (1d5-1 Impact [Primitive])
Knife (1d5 Rending [Primitive])
Autopistol (30m S/-/6 1d10+1 Impact), 1 Clip (18 Bullets)
Shotgun (30m S/-/- 1d10+4 Impact), 12 Shells + 20 Purchased Shells
1 x Fire Bomb (SBx3 1d10+3 Explosive, 6 Penetration)
Grapnel
Quilted Vest (Body, 2AP)
Street Ware (Poor Quality Clothing)
Steel Toecap Boots (Memento)
Shotgun Shell Casing (Memento)
2 x Corpse Ration Packs
Dice was born privileged to Hive Noble parents but bore the cost of such a life in loss. Such is the way of things in the 41st Millennium. Her mother Halo walked the path of the Assassin, arbitrating elections and business decisions with a high-powered needle rifle. In accordance with the wicked brutality of the universe, karma's twisted tendrils wrapped themselves around the family, taking her father and two sisters in a noble's failed attempt at retribution for one of her mother's assassinations. Filial cords don't run thick enough to prevent a hot-headed Hive World teenager from blaming her mother for the cruel, cyclical, violent nature of life in the mortal coil. Leaving the last of her family behind, Dice took to the streets, amongst the criminals, gangers, outcasts, con-men, and thieves that populate the streets, tunnels, and back-alleys of her home world where it certainly wouldn't be long before she'd end up broke, in debt, jailed, or worse...
Any hints on equipment and abilities?
All depends on what you want to do with the character; looks like you're thinking general fixer/skill monkey/backstabber type, so purchasing some additional Advanced Skills would seem appropriate, as well as just boosting your attributes a bit. As for Equipment, you've got a couple decent guns and some close combat weapons already. Maybe some extra armor, or tools/lockpicks/something character appropriate/extra ammo. Again, will post more once I have books.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
@deadlyrhetoric: You seem to be missing some starting Advanced skills; Scum start with Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int), Blather (Fel), Charm (Fel) or Dodge (Ag), Deceive (Fel), Awareness (Per), and Common Lore (Imperium) (Int) for free. As for skills/talents/equipment to purchase, you've got a lot of options:
Awareness +10, Barter, Charm, Dodge, Drive (Ground Vehicle), Navigation (Surface), Swim, Basic Weapon Training (Primitive), Pistol Training (Las), Pistol Training (Primitive), Unremarkable, Sound Constitution, Thrown Weapon Training (Primitive)
Ability Bonuses, Each 100xp:
BS+5, Ag+5, Fel+5
For 15 Thrones, you're not going to get a whole lot of equipment, though you can't go wrong with extra ammo (20 bullets/shells = 1 Throne).
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
I have all of those skills under my spoiler tag and I just added my XP purchases in there, as well.
I wasn't sure how to calculate my starting Thrones. Your first post says to pick the highest, so I picked a roll of 10, and based on Table 5-2 in the Core Rulebook, then rolled FBd10+50, or 3d10 from my Fel 35, to get 60 Thrones. Technically, the maximum I could start with.
I'm all set on skills but I'm still deciding how to spend my hard stolen Thrones.
Submitted party members are:
Ignance Havelock, Guardsman - Steelhawk
Gallus, Tech-Priest - Wildcat
Cromwell, Imperial Psyker - FelixSomethingSomething
Uriah, Assassin - Squints
Dice, Scum - deadlyrhetoric
*nods* I'm likin' the look of this, it's a good lookin' party.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion