Friday, December 6, 2019

Dusk


Dusk is a Feral World (not quite a Death World) in the Malfian sub of the lost Calixis sector. It is a humid, swampy place, with endless jungles and mangroves, marshes and countless lakes great and small. It is a world with a fell reputation, for the veil between the realms frow thin here, and the energies of the warp are stronger on Dusk than anywhere else outside the Vortex.

Feral humans, including tribes of ogryns, have lived there since time immemorial. Dusk was added to the roll of Imperial worlds during the Angevin Crusade, but the Empire's hold over the place was always tenuous outside the few Imperial compounds. Dusk provided the Empire with a great number of psykers for a world with such a small population.

The Imperial "capital" of Asabmom was destroyed by the Red Brethren not long after the Fall of Scintilla. It was hoped the planet could provide the Chapter with recruits for the long war, for the people of Dusk have a fearsome reputation, but it was not to be. The natives had no more love for their new overlords than they did the old. Eventually, the Brethren left the world, save a small, heavily fortified, enclave in the ruins of the old capital (lest it be said they were forced to retreat).

Small enclaves of reptilian xenos live in the darkest, most hidden places of Dusk. They react poorly to intruders, but rarely attack unless provoked.

The Prophet had dealings on Dusk, it is said. Something to do with a being called the Hag and some sort of prophecy. It is possible this Hag was a xeno, no a human. It's also possible that the Prophet's dealings on the planet was what caused the Red Brethren to waste a hundred Astartes fighting over a purtid swamp.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Whispers from the Warp, pt 2


Kay has investigated the ghostly signals.

She concludes (as much as one can conclude regarding Warp-related phenomena) that the Eternal Lament has acquired a "ghost," the spirit of a dead person that refuses to leave. While it has some things in common with a daemon, it's not quite the same. Daemons are of the other side, this is a spirit from this world.

Kay also thinks there may actually be more than one spirit haunting the ship, but doesn't have any concrete proof of that.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Whispers from the Warp, pt 1


Several times during the trip to Dusk, Barotta has received a radio broadcast or seen a flicker of a face on a shipboard monitor. And he's no longer the only one. Several Astartes, a few daughters, and crewmembers report the same. Always the same voice, and in the rare cases where there is an image feed, the same face: Lt. Gomez.

At best it's only a warp echo, but it could also be daemonic forces at play. These things can happen on a ship under Warp drive, even with the Gellar field intact. If only Barotta had a psyker or sorcerer or some such, then it could perhaps be dealt with. For now, it's best to just ignore it.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The Journal of the All-Seeing, Back Home



Another entry from the journal:

---

Day of the Bleeding Gut, Year 80.216, Q'Sal reckoning. 

I'm back in the Vortex, back in my Q'Sal palace, my possessions restored to me. My house was in great disarray when I returned, but all has now be made good. 

It is quite unbearable really. The Eldar, the Prince of the Dark Flock, and his Xenos scum struck against the Imperial compound on Dusk before the Black Ship could take me to Terra - and certain doom. They cut down the Imperial defenders with contemptuous ease, but freed only a few prisoners, me included, before returning by way of magic to their own vessels.

Truly this Prince is blessed by the Gods - both his own Toady Gods and my True Gods. I saw with my own three eyes how he killed and killed, including a squad of five Deathwatch Astartes in single combat, when they sought to bar our way. No, calling it 'killing' doesn't do it justice. He danced the dance of death, laughing as he cut them down, one after the other. They could not touch him. Even today, as I write this, my heart cries out in joy, for never before or since have I seen such a sacrament of death by the blade.

We returned to the Vortex by way of hidden Eldar paths. Though I suspect that the Old Slann made the first web-ways, and the Eldar only expanded upon them. But the Prince of the Dark Flock is the master of them all. He comes and goes when and where he wills, even to the Vortex when the way is shut for all. Curse his black, Xenos heart!

To make matters worse he gave me a blade. One of the Swords of Vaul. I am now convinced he manipulated me into all this, just to force me to take the blade. How could I not, knowing it was forged by a God? A false Toad God, but still a God. Did I mention it's quite unbearable? Me, a High Sorcerer, Warp-seer without equal, researcher supreme, chosen of Tzeentch and Slaanesh both, outplayed by a Xenos. I should kill myself this instant. But the Eldar, curse his dark soul, know I cannot do this. I know what awaits on the other side. That is why we seek immortality, right? The Eldar, of course, is unaging, and need not worry about such things. The filthy scum. Why have the Gods blessed them so? It is not right!

And now I must study the toad blade and learn its secrets. I sense the Eldar's hand at play, and I am powerless to resist. Curse him!

By my hand,
Akram the All-seeing, High Sorcerer of Q'Sal

Scrolls of Eternal Truth - The Greatest of All Eldar Lies


Another scroll of truth has been found and translated:

---

Chaos is creation, the wellspring of life.
Chaos is entropy, the great destroyer.
Chaos is the eternal truth that defies explanation.

---

I have their measure now, the Toad Gods of Yore. For Toads, they were. The Old Ones, the Slann of ages long past. Unaging, Godlike in power. And riddle me this: if it looks like a God, talks like a God, and wields power onto that of a God, is it not then a God?

And it wasn't just Vaul. All the Eldar 'Gods' were toads. Well, except Khaine, of course. Or should we not call him by his true name: Khorne? That's right, Khorne the Blood God. All the tragic Eldar legends, how 'their' bloody-handed god butchered the rest of the pantheon, leaving them vulnerable to Slaanesh? Sounds unlikely in the extreme... until you recognize the nature of the Beast.

The 'Fall of the Eldar' was Khorne destroying the Old Slann. While he was busy with that, Slaanesh, his old foe, came in by the back door so to speak, killed the rest of the Old Ones, and consumed a good portion of the debauched Eldar race. Enraged, Khorne attacked Slaanesh, but the Master of Excess was so bloated with power, he/she easily defeated Khaine-Khorne, shattering the avatar of the Blood God. Khorne's shout of defiant rage was what ended the Old Night.

Nurgle claimed one Old One as his own, the Goddess Isha, keeping her in his Garden as a trophy. And I sense the hand of the Architect of Fate behind it all. Who else could have engineered such a thing?

So it is written, with the True Powers as my witnesses.

- Akram the All-seeing, High Sorcerer of Q'Sal

Scrolls of Eternal Truth - The Blades of Vaul


Another scroll found and translated:

---

Chaos is creation, the wellspring of life.
Chaos is entropy, the great destroyer.
Chaos is the eternal truth that defies explanation.

---

There are many liars and deceivers, but none of them worse than the Xenos. All Xenos are, by their very nature, devious and dishonest. Not even a warp-crazed seer can spew forth such gibberish as they do with every breath of their inferior bodies!

The proof is there for all to see. You only have to take a quick look at any Xenos species, and you'll know. Take the 'Slann,' for example. They are not really Slann at all. If they are even related, it is only tenuously, for the Slann of old were mighty beings, ageless and godlike. Today's Slann are toadlike witches, yet they try to bluff the galaxy into believing they are heirs to the legacy of the old Slann. Foul Xenos lies. Do they even believe these things themselves?

By I digress. The Slann of Old created many artifacts of great power. One of the Old Ones made many mighty blades, ninety-nine in number, which he then passed on to an equal number of mighty warriors. Each was as powerful - or more powerful - than an ax of Khorne. Such was Vaul's skill at warp-craft and command of the forge.

Some of these blades eventually wound up in the hands of the degenerate Eldar. So impressed with these blades were the Eldar, that they promptly made Vaul part of their pantheon of 'gods,' naming his the Great Smith. One day a glorified lizard playing with fire and steel, next day a God. What irony.

So it is written, with the True Powers as my witnesses.

- Akram the All-seeing, High Sorcerer of Q'Sal

The Way Is Shut


The Screaming Vortex is in a 'dormant' phase, during which it's extremely difficult to move into or out of the warp storm. The 13th Station of Passage is useless at this time, and Barotta's task group lacks other means of entry.

With nothing better to do, the small flotilla, led by the Eternal Lament, sets course for the feral world of Dusk. Meanwhile, Primus Decurion Barotta spends more and more time in the Ever-changing library, searching for information that may be of use. 

He is joined by the sorceress Kay, who has recovered enough to be of use - and who has relearned/remembered how to speak Gothic!

Thursday, November 7, 2019

The Journal of the All-Seeing, Imprisoned!


Found written on a folded piece of STC-cellulose sheet inside the journal. Seems to be penned in a mix of soot, dirt, and human blood.

---

Day of The Skull Throne, Year 80.214, Q'Sal reckoning. 

I have been imprisoned. By the 'Imperium of Man.' As if 'Man' and 'Imperium' are somehow titles that belong solely to decadent Terra. For eight hundred centuries or more, we men have ruled Q'Sal, far longer than Terra has known civilization. How dare they!

They found me in the wild, starved, alone, disease-ridden, and close to death. But the servants of the False Corpse-God 'saved' me. Well, they did save me from the vile clutches of Nurgle, that is true. But I take this as a sign of approval of Great Tzeentch. He guides and protects me. These mortals are but dancing to his tune.

Anyway. They've restored my health by force-feeding me a greasy slop they call food. I assure you: it is not food. They have taken all my things, my robes, my items of power. Even my journal they have taken. Hence this piece of unworthy paper.

I could escape at any time, of course. Except they have stuck me in a warded cell. By 'they,' I'm talking about black-armored brutes with clubs and pistols. They call themselves 'Adeptus Abrites.' I think they are scum. But they do have some experience with containing witches and psykers and sorcerers, I have to give them that.

Someday soon, they say, tomorrow or next year or in ten years, they cannot say for sure, a Black Ship will come and take me away to Terra. I must say, I am tempted to go, I know of no other Q'Sal sorcerer who has visited Terra. But I'm afraid it will have to wait. I have too much work to do for such frivolous pursuits. Another time, perhaps.

How do I get out of this stupid cell?

By my hand,
Akram the All-seeing, High Sorcerer of Q'Sal

The Journal of the All-Seeing, Field Trip to Fetid Dusk


The Journal of the All-Seeing, a handy little tome of daemon-hide that Barotta found in a dusty corner of the library. It's written in many different languages and using various ciphers, so translating it is difficult and time-consuming.

---

Day of The Shaper, Year 80.213, Q'Sal reckoning. 

I finally have time to write another entry. It's been a busy period.

My work has paid off!

I have found the Slann. On the world of Dusk, in Calyx, right on my doorstep. Or rather, I have found their degenerate descendants. Little 

It is a foul place, Dusk, inhabited not only by lizardfolk and troglodytes, but by feral humans, some of them ogryn stock. Quite hostile and eager to feast on the flesh of humans and lizard alike - and sorcerers of Q'Sal.

Endless swamps, marshlands, and water-steeped forests dominated the parts so the world I visited. Wildlife is moderately hostile and dangerous, but the place is a stinking hell-hole, and wasting diseases are as common as the rain. The warm rains... don't get me started on those. 

I swear, sometimes I think the Gods are playing me pranks, rather than helping me with my endeavors. Surely this is not the case, but I will sacrifice a thousand slaves extra to each of the Four. Just to be sure.

The only positive thing about Dusk: The entire world sits on a warp nexus, and was practically glowing with power. It almost made leaving Q'Sal worthwhile.

The Slann were surprisingly skilled at sorcery. And so were the primitive human tribes. I suspect they had picked up a thing or two from the xenos. Nothing to compare with the might of the sorcerers of Q'Sal, of course. We are, after all, blessed by Tzeentch. But still, they caused some problems.

I was able to learn some of what I came for, but not all. The 'Slann' were too primitive for that. But I did learn some by conjecture and some by studying the ruins of the Old Slann civilization.

I could have learned more, but the planet took its toll on my companions: fevers and disease, lizards and humans, beasts, and sorcery. And then along came the accused Prince of the Dark Flock, to end my life.

Tried to take my head off with his sword. How brutish. I had to abandon the rest of my party and beat a hasty retreat. But Slaanesh provides for his/her devoted servants: The blade the Eldar wields, it is not Eldar at all, but Slann. Old Slann. Inscribed by runes of power so powerful, they are almost worthy of my sorcerous respect.

I must study this sword. Perhaps there are more such blades out there. If not, I will take this on from the Prince's dead fingers, after offering his soul to the Great Devourer.

But first, I have to get back to Q'Sal. Too bad my ship disintegrated. The shipwright didn't see fit to tell me the enchantments would come undone so quickly outside the Vortex!

By my hand,
Akram the All-seeing, High Sorcerer of Q'Sal

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Scrolls of Eternal Truth - The Enormous Lie That is Khaine


Barotta found another scroll, once again having to do with the Eldar. There is an interesting note at the bottom.

---

Chaos is creation, the wellspring of life.
Chaos is entropy, the great destroyer.
Chaos is the eternal truth that defies explanation.

---

One of the biggest self-deceptions told by the degenerate Eldar species, and they tell a great many such lies, are their delusional stories about 'their' God Khaine.

Khaine is, despite any Eldar claims to the contrary, none other than Bloody-handed Khorne, Lord of Skulls. Yes, they worship their own version of him, daring not look at his true face, but this is hardly unique. Many lesser races and unlearned civilizations do this. In the case of the Eldar, they couldn't even be bothered to change his name...

If the Eldar ever worshipped true Gods of their own, and I'm not saying they did, they abandoned them long before the fall, in favor of the true Powers of Chaos. 

So it is written, with the True Powers as my witnesses.

- Akram the All-seeing, High Sorcerer of Q'Sal

---

Scribbled at the bottom:

He's on to me now, the Prince of the Dark Flock. It's proof that my visions are true. They seek to silence me, but I will not be cowed!

Scrolls of Eternal Truth - The Lie About The Eldar Language


Barotta found another scroll. This time regarding the lies surrounding the Eldar language...

---

Chaos is creation, the wellspring of life.
Chaos is entropy, the great destroyer.
Chaos is the eternal truth that defies explanation.

---

The filthy Eldar would have you believe they are an advanced and well-learned race, but this is about as far from the truth as you can come, another lie created by these most loathsome of aliens.

Take their language, for example. The language in use today is a simplified version of the archaic language used by ancient Eldar. In short, the Eldar forgot what their own symbols meant, and invented a fantastic mythology of lies so that they might 'remember' their common heritage. The Eldar myth cycles are nothing but lies concocted by Eldar grammar teachers.

Even before the Fall, the Eldar couldn't cope with the endless little pictograms that made up their language, so they got rid of most of them, and created a much-simplified version. Like how the pitiful human race speaks 'low Gothic,' a language only vaguely related to pure High Gothic. So now they had a language, not much more advanced than what the rest of the galaxy speaks, and a 'rich cultural heritage' they no longer fully understood

But it gets worse... Eldar language, I might add, the Eldar didn't even invent themselves! The so-called 'Eldar language' is actually the language of the Slann, a forgotten and degenerate race of lizard-folk that can still be found on backwater planets in remote regions of the galaxy.

How low the mighty have fallen. Or maybe they were not so mighty to begin with?

So it is written, with the True Powers as my witnesses.

- Akram the All-seeing, High Sorcerer of Q'Sal

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Scrolls of Eternal Truth - The Great Lie About Slaanesh


Barotta found a new scroll in the library. It seems to be but one of many penned with golden ink on parchment.

---


Chaos is creation, the wellspring of life.
Chaos is entropy, the great destroyer.
Chaos is the eternal truth that defies explanation.

One of the most common lies told about Chaos concerns Slaanesh and his/her connection to the Eldar, or, more specifically, the Fall of the Eldar. According to this lie, the Eldar created Slaanesh, whose birth was heralded by the destruction of their xenos Empire.

Claiming that a filthy xenos species birthed eternal and all-powerful Slaanesh is as preposterous as it is insulting. Was there no passion, no excess before the Fall of the Eldar? Of course, there was. Slaanesh has always been, always will be. Ever-changing and eternally the same.

It is true that the Eldar of old worshipped great Slaanesh with every fiber of their being. But to claim they created the Prince/Princess of Gods? Is there no end to their arrogance? No wonder Slaanesh got tired of their attention-seeking and consumed them.

The Eldar's only accomplishment of note is that their Fall announced the end of the Warp Storms that had harrowed the galaxy for five thousand years, give or take, thus bringing an end to the Age of Strife and opening the galaxy to the False Emperor's Great Crusade.

Slaanesh has never forgiven them for this transgression, which is why he/she tirelessly seeks out Eldar souls to punish. Were it not for these lowest of aliens, the galaxy would still be a place of Chaos and wonder.

Now, only the Eye of Slaanesh, the Maelstrom of the Gods, the Whispering Vortex, and a few other sites remain. Woe unto the Eldar!

So it is written, with the True Powers as my witnesses.

- Akram the All-seeing, High Sorcerer of Q'Sal

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

The Threefold Curse Denied


Barotta opted to deny the Threefold Curse. Rather than pick one option, he chose all three - but did exactly the opposite of what was required.

Facrast did not burn. Instead, its peoples came together, united and free of civil war for the first time in living memory. Thus the Horned Darkness was spurned.

Solace was not sucked into the Vortex. The sorcerer Nereus did not get one of Barotta's hearts, not Krawl's. Nobody offered up their sword in his service. Instead, Nereus got his old sword back, and willingly abandoned his great ritual. Thus was the Four Powers spurned.

St. Annard's Penance didn't see the masters burn, nor the pillars fall. Instead, the Chosen were extinguished and the world abandoned, and the sleeping dead may slumber forevermore. Thus was Malal spurned.

It's a story worthy of retelling. This is not how the Threefold Curse normally plays out. The Champion denied all the Gods, seeming without care for their inevitable wrath. Presumably, the way forward is now firmly shut, and all manner of trouble now awaits.

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Banner of Terra


This war-banner originally belonged to the 17th Chapter "Bared Fangs" of the XVI Legion "Luna Wolves". It followed the Chapter to many great victories in the Great Crusade. Later, as a war-banner of the Sons of Horus, it saw more battles won, this time against the forces of the Imperium. The first and only time the banner has fallen was before the walls of the Imperial Palace of Terra, when the last members of the 17th were cut down by the Imperial Fists as they tried to exploit a breach.

After this, the banner languished in the God-Emperor's throne room for more than ten millennia, until someone who hadn't really studied history much shipped it to Calixis early M42 to arm the 'Imperial Champion' that had surfaced there. Or perhaps whoever sent it was a student of history, and willfully chose to ignore the banner's dark past to exploit its great power?

According to Krawl, corroborated by Barotta's own experience, men who see the banner will not break (exactly how far "see" extends is vague). Those who stand close (also vague) to the banner are also protected from psychics and other similar effects. In this anti-Chaos zone, daemons seem to suffer instability. Finally, if the banner is carried by a man of conviction (doesn't have to be a psyker), it can dispell magical effects already in place and banish daemons by touch. It's also said to be able to heal, but this isn't strictly true. It will break curses and magical effects, even the dreaded Nurgle's Rot, but it will not heal wounds or cure whatever damage a disease already has done.

How and why such a dark artifact can have such great power over Chaos is a mystery only the True Gods can answer.

Hive St. Azurenne (Lind)


Solace isn't the only hive city on the planet Lind. Six hives were constructed by the AdMech post-Angevin Crusade. In M42 only four hives remain. One became so infested with Chaos cultists sometime prior to M41 that it was destroyed by the Inquisition, and all records expunged, except the knowledge that there was a sixth hive that turned away from the light of the God-Emperor.

Hive St. Azurenne (the 'Blue Hive', so named after St. Azurenne, the 'Blue Saint') had an entirely different fate. Situated at the shores of Lind's largest inland ocean, the city became poor after the sea dried up and the irrigated farmlands turned to salt deserts. Agriculture had been the hive's main function, and it failed to adapt to the changing situation. It died a slow death, it's inhabitants becoming more and more ghoul-like and mutated until it was a functioning city no more.

Several attempts have been made to clear out the hive, but it's simply not worth it. A strategic solution is out of the question, as the hive's automated defenses are still online. Furthermore, the remnants of the lake is still one of the premier sources of brine water (that can be distilled) on Lind. Compromising the lake could kill billions given the chaotic situation in Calixis.

Phoenix Blades (legacy weapons)


The so-called Phoenix Blades are a collection of ancient Eldar power swords (legacy weapons) that have appeared in the hands of several champions in and around the Calyx Expanse (former Calixis Sector). 

They vary quite a bit in physical appearance. From slender longswords to heavy two-handed blades and everything in between. The blades have also been modified extensively over the millennia, obfuscating their true origins. For example, Barotta's blade appears to be an ancient Imperial power sword, not something made by filthy xenos. It's not the first time the Imperium has subverted the weapons of the enemy to their own use.

When activated, the blades appear like normal power weapons: crackling with matter-disruptive energy. But there is something hidden deep inside the dull grey metal of the swords: runes of power.

The runes are usually dormant, but can be made to appear by the wielder. All it takes is a little concentration and willpower. It's unknown what the runes do, if anything, because the blades are not psy-weapons, but power weapons.

The term "Phoenix Blades" was coined by the Inquisitor-Savants of Solace after seeing Krawl's runes light up for the first time. The first rune, the one closest to the wielder, is the "Phoneix" rune, which can symbolize a number of things, such as dawn, protection, and rebirth.

The known blades: Barotta's 'Astartes Power Sword', Krawl's 'Sword of the Imperial Champion', and the blade taken from the nameless Black Legion sorcerer on Vaxanide. Prince G'rahal also has one and Barotta suspects Chapter Master Moebius is also armed with one (but it's possible this weapon has another origin).

The savants tried their best, but the runes are very old, and they had limited time to reference their encyclopedic memories. Perhaps the Ever-changing library has more, now that you know what to look for?

Barotta's blade has seven runes of power, in order from hilt to point: Phoenix, Order (Banishment), Night (Death), Entrophy (Sundering), Hoarfrost, Thunderstorm, Mortality (the opposite rune of Divinity)

Krawl's blade has only six runes of power: he's lacking the Mortality rune, and the final two on his blade are Cleansing Fire and Dominion (Control), instead of Frost and Storm.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Hive Solace (Lind)


Solace lies upon the desolate Imperial World of Lind. It is by far the most important manufacturing hive on this poisonous planet. For this reason, many call the world itself 'Solace' despite the fact that it's listed in the Roll of Worlds as 'Lind'. The planet has other monikers as well, most of them related to it's close proximity to the 13th Sation of passage. 'Warden of the Vortex' is one, 'Gateway to Hell' another. 

Whatever the planet's name, Solace sits upon a well-traveled route (relatively speaking) that leads all the way from the Kononus Expanse, via Port Wander, to the Spinward Front. For many years, while Calixis Sector was still a sector and the Spinward Front was still a front, the hive profited greatly from the export of war materials. 

The planet doesn't have its own warp-capable fleet, but it's one of the most heavily defended sites in the former Calixis Sector. It's dreaded Perdition Cannon can destroy a capital warship with a single shot, and that's just one of many weapons. Heavy defense monitors circle the planet, endless minefields lurk in the void, and shoals of hunter-killer servitor craft patrol the space lanes.

Prince Talazan G'rahal of the Dark Flock


G'rahal is the leader of the group of Eldar corsairs known as "the Dark Flock." There are some that claim he is Dark Eldar, exiled from Commorragh, while other sources say he was cast out from this or that Craftworld. One rumor claims he's an Eldar Harlequin (whatever that is) that got tired of laughing. Another rumor says he's got a pet dragon that he rides to war. It's probably wise not to pay these rumors too much heed.

Of late (after the Fall of Scintilla) the Dark Flock has been spotted several times in and around Calixis, including the Kornous Expanse, the Spinward Front, Ixaniad Sector, and the Screaming Vortex. They have attacked ships from every faction there is, raided settlements, and committed outright genocide. There are also reports of the Flock trading - and occasionally helping - the same peoples they have attacked. Are they pirates out looking for booty, or is there something more sinister going on?

At Vaxanide, the Flock possessed at least one cruiser-sized vessel (3rd or 3.5 rate), a handful of escorts (5th or 6th rates), and many smaller attack craft (unrated). How many ships they lost or what other assets they might have is unknown. It's worth noting that the Flock's fleet appeared to consist of ships from several xenos species.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

The Threefold Curse


The Threefold Cruse is a recurring theme in many Chaos myth cycles. The Champion is presented with three choices, all of them in some way bad. To go forward in his quest (often for daemonhood), he must then pick one of these three evils - and suck up the consequences. More often than not the hero of these tales pick the wrong option and die horribly. Or refuse the challenge - and are cursed by the True Gods. More rarely, the champion succeeds at one task, only to find he has been tricked.

Barotta's Threefold curse, as penned:

The Fall of Solace
Onto a world where men live like ants,
Where the sorcerer Nereus prepares the Ritual of Ages.
Offer him your heart and your sword.
Thus the Way shall be opened and revealed onto thee.

The Rising of Facrast
Onto a war-torn world on the edge of nowhere,
Where enemies three await with weapons ultimate.
Offer up the world on the Horned One's altar.
Thus the Way shall be opened and revealed onto thee.

The Sacrifice of St. Annard's Peace
Onto a hidden world of toil and bondage,
Where the ancient dead slumber away the eons.
Offer the oppressors to the Avenger.
Thus the Way shall be opened and revealed onto thee.

Athame


Athames are Astartes combat blades carried by the followers of the Prophet of Light. They are based on weapons first created by Erebus of the Word Bearers during the Horus Heresy. Each Chapter or Host has its own distinct design. The Sons of Xandor, for example, have athames that look almost exactly like M30 "Crusade" pattern knives, while the Red Brethren's athames look like skinning blades. Each blade is hand-forged by the Chapter's sorcerers, and given to each acolyte that makes initiate rank.

The essence of the weapon is the same regardless: a serrated blade, made out of dark flint or similar stone. A seemingly primitive weapon, the athame is subtly infused with the essence of the warp. It is nearly unbreakable, and is about as effective as a Mechanicus-forged blade against heavy armor (not ideal, but can work in a pinch). It's true value, however, is that it can harm the denizens of the Warp.

Some athames have additional powers, either by design (during the forging process) or abilities accumulated through use (it's said that any being slain by an athame leaves a piece of its soul in the blade). Sorcerers frequently use their athames as foci during rituals and summonings.


Samus - Lord of the Ruinstorm


Samus is a name that's been whispered in fear for eons. It is the name of a daemon prince that took a particular interest in the Astartes, ever since the Luna Wolves unwittingly released it from captivity during the Great Crusade. It fought Astartes on several occasions, but due to its 'kill or be killed' attitude, it was always banished back to the Warp, albeit at significant cost in lives. After the end of the Horus Heresy, Samus faded back into obscurity, but he was never gone.

Samus has gained in prominence of late, in no small part due to the shrines erected in his honor by the Deacons of the Word. He is less likely to personally manifest in the Materium, but has been known to send his emissaries to possess mortals, sometimes for prolonged periods. Why he has gone from rampaging monster to insidious manipulator only the True Gods know, but perhaps he was grown more potent over the millennia, and gained in wisdom also.

The Children of Samus is a cult of wyrds, assassins, and other ner-do-wells that some say follow the daemon prince like they would a God.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Balphomael - the Horned Darkness


The Horned Darkness, sometimes called Balphomael, other times by different names, is a daemonic entity of immeasurable potency that has lurked in the shadows of the Calixis since long before the Angevin Crusade. It was ever the foe of the Ordo Herticus, who time and again would uncover a cult or coven, stomp it out, only to find two more had taken its place.

Balphomael is the quintessential dark prince, a power broker without peer, a liar and manipulator - and if needed, a ruthless killer. But first and foremost, the Horned Darkness craves worship and obeisance and sacrifice in the fashion of a God. In return, it grants its worshippers fell powers and unnatural long life.

Seemingly owing no direct fealty or allegiance to any other of its kind, the Horned Darkness is something greater than even the mightiest of daemon princes. Perhaps, as some members of the Ordo Calxisi believed, it is a minor Chaos God. Although, as its power is focused only in a relatively small area, it may be nearly as mighty as the Four within Calixis and surrounding areas.

Some claim that Balphomael's heavenly abode is the Screaming Vortex (it is but one of many myths regarding the 'true' nature of the Vortex). One day, soon, the Vortex will open, and the Horned Darkness will be unleashed upon the galaxy. His followers will be raised up to daemonhood, and together they will remake all of the Materium and Immaterium (sounds unlikely).

Since time immemorial, the Horned Darkness has attracted the ire of Malal, to the extent that Malal's champions (not that there are very many) will go out of their way to purge the followers of Balphomael. The reverse is not true: the Horned Darkness will hide or run, but it will not openly fight Malal.

For a time, the Prophet of Light was the enemy of the Horned Darkness, opposing it at every turn, and refusing to spread its gospel. After leaving Calixis, the Prophet seems to have put this enmity behind him, and Balphomael's brethren are allowed to set up their little shrines. According to some dark whispers, the Prophet has forced some sort of pact on Balphomael, and the Horned Darkness is bound to his will.

The Ever-changing Library


The Ever-changing Library (the name was revealed by future Barotta) is the name of the library housed in the Great Hall and adjoining chambers aboard the Eternal Lament. The books, scrolls, and cogitators banks were recovered from the wreck on an ancient Imperial cruiser that crashed into Vaxanhive. The library seems to arrange itself and grown/shrink to fit the space available. It has a touch of Chaos, or should we say Dark Symmetry, but isn't utterly vile and corrupted. Tzeentch may have something to do with it.

The Beast


The creature known simply as "the Beast" was recovered on a nameless world on the fringes of the Adrantis nebula. It hid there, posing as a simple refugee, together with thousands more that had fled the destruction of Calixis. Barotta and his men captured it, but soon found out there was nothing simple about it. Rather, it was perhaps the most fearsome assassin ever created.

The Beast seems to have once been a human, and even claimed to remember fragments of a life before. According to the Beast, he was born on Scintilla, where he lived a life of crime. He was taken by the Abrites and sentenced to a life of toil. Instead, he ended up in the clutches of the Holy Orders of the God-Emperor's Inquisition. Using arcane techno-magic, Xenos transfiguration engines, and the darkest warp-craft, he was remade into a deadly assassin.

How much of this is true? No one can know for sure. His memories were fragmented, confused, contradictory. Some of them were undoubtedly implanted, designed to either control the Beast or enable him to operate undercover. It could be that he was no memory of his original life, if ever he had any, but only bits and pieces of the lives he has assumed.

The Beast is a shape-changer, able to take any humanoid form, including that or a Space Marine and an Ork. He can summon fell warp energies to tear apart starship bulkheads and armored Astartes with equal ease. He disappear into shadows and walk through walls. It is incredibly hard to kill, and quickly regenerates even mortal injuries, but can be incapacitated and immobilized by extreme use of force. 

The Beast also has a "rest" state, where he is a docile, featureless, and vaguely human creature with no face or gender. When in the rest state, he can be given orders to kill. The creature will then use its considerable skills and powers to find the target and eliminate it. Then it will return to its master and resume the rest state.

The Beast is currently on Vaxanide. After assuming the form of an Ork, it killed the Ork Warlord assaulting Vaxanhive, but didn't return and revert to the rest state. Instead, it became the next Ork Warlord, and the Ork horde readily flocked to its banner. It was last seen armed with an Axe of Khorne, in addition to its usual warp-klaw.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Fleets and space combat


Space combat isn't intended to be a big part of the campaign, so we only need light rules (more like guidelines anyway). 

Ships have a 'rate' similar to the old sailing ships of the line. The number in parenthesis is the relative power of the ship, but keep in mind that larger ships can destroy numerous smaller enemies and not be destroyed, only require repairs.

Battleships are true ships of the line, but are rare and many fleets do completely without. Escorts are there to screen against enemy small craft, raiders, and escorts. They can also scout and act as fleet couriers. Cruisers are somewhere in between. The ratio of Battleships/Cruisers to escorts should always be in the escorts' favor (but not more than 2:1).

BATTLESHIPS
1st Rate  (24) Battleship
2nd Rate (16) Battleship Example: Retribution
2.5 Rate  (12) Grand Cruiser Example: Avenger
CRUISERS
3rd Rate  (8) Battle Cruiser/Heavy Cruiser Example: Mars, Slaughter
3.5 Rate  (6) Cruiser Example: Lunar
4th Rate  (4) Light Cruiser or Heavy Frigate Example: Dauntless
ESCORTS
5th Rate  (2) Frigate or Heavy Raider Example: Firestorm, Sword
6th Rate  (1) Destroyer or Raider Example: Cobra
UNRATED
Unrated  (--) Sloop or Light Raider



Komus - the Tyrant Star


The Tyrant Star (sometimes called Komus by those in the 'know') is apparently a wandering stellar phenomenon, a spectral apparition that takes the form of a dark sun (or an eclipse - or both - the stories are confusing and contradictory). When it appears there is always planetwide madness and widespread destruction.

Since the creation of the Calixis sector in early M39, the Tyrant Star has appeared a number of times. Legends hint that Komus was at work in the Calyx Expanse long before the Angevin Crusade. Neighboring regions, like the Koronus Expanse and the Screaming Vortex, also have their share of stories about the Tyrant Star.

Among certain Inquisitors and heretics, there is talk of a Propheticum Hereticus Tenebrae - the Prophecy of the Shadow Heresy - which tells that the Tyrant Star is merely the reflection of something far darker and more powerful. Komus is the Herald of this Doom. And it will come soon, at the turning of the world, to devour everything (which is taken to mean anything from the Calixis Sector to the entire galaxy).

Many, from Dark Eldar Warp-seers to the Sorcerer-Prophets of Q'Sal to Imperial Inquisitors, have tried to learn the true nature of the Tyrant Star, but all have failed. Perhaps it is in the nature of Komus to be unknowable? The wise recognize their follow and turn their attentions elsewhere. The foolish press on, seeing not how the path they follow leads to madness and death.

Some say the Tyrant Star was the reason the Prophet of Light turned his back on Calixis. He alone had the foresight required to understand Komus. And what he saw made him understand that it was future to waste more time of Calyx, that old Chalice of Evil.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Granite Tigers Chapter


The Granite Tigers are a little-known Chaos Marine Chapter devoted to Chaos Undivided. Some say they guard the Prophet's furthest conquests, out among the Halo Stars. Occasionally, small bands of Granite Tigers are seen in Calixis, or even further afield, but they keep their distance unless provoked. Some say they are searching for something, but only the Prophet and the Gods know for certain.

Red Brethren Chapter


The Red Brethren is an Astartes Chapter of recent make. They're organized along the lines of a Codex Chapter, but in reality, they are devoted to Chaos Undivided. They consider the Prophet of Light their spiritual Primogenitor. They are armed with strange new marks of armor and wargear, all of it concocted and produced among the distant Halo Stars. The Red Brethren is the only Chapter to still operate in chapter strength in the Calixis sector. They claim the entire sector and all surrounding areas are part of the Prophet's "Realm of Light".

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Malal - the Avenger


There is a name whispered quietly and with fear even by the most depraved, the most evil, and the least sane of the worshippers of Chaos. That name is Malal, the Renegade God of Chaos. In eons past Malal was cast out from the bosom of Chaos by the other Gods, or else abandoned them of his own volition, no one is sure which.

In any case, Malal's relationship to the other gods of Chaos is a strange one. All Chaos Gods pursue purposes that are wholly their own, yet only Malal occupies a position so antithetical to the success of his own unfathomable creed. To be a follower of Malal is to be a Chaos warrior bent upon shedding the blood of other Chaos creatures.

As such, Malal is both feared and hated by the other Chaos Gods. Malal's worshippers, too, are loathed by other servants of Chaos; they are outcasts beloved by neither the friends nor enemies of Chaos, dependent upon the least whim of their patron deity. Few men worship such a god; fewer still live long in his service. The bonds that tie master and servant ever drain upon the soul of the warrior, and it is a rare man or woman that can loosen the bonds of Malal once forged.

Malal isn't one of the Four Great Powers, but neither is he a minor God or a Daemon Prince. Instead, his power waxes and wanes in rythm with the influence of Chaos. If Chaos is in the ascendant, Malal will almost always rear his ugly head and try to tear down the great works of the Champions of Chaos. No wonder he is presently rumored to be at work in the Calixis sector.

In Calixis Malal is sometimes connected to the phenomenon known as the Tyrant Star. No one truly knows what it is, and perhaps its nature is to be unknowable. Appearing as a dark eclipse, the Tyrant Star brings ruin to all it touches. Malal is also somehow connected to the Horned Darkness, a particularly powerful Daemon Prince that lingers near the Calixis sector. Even more strangely, Malal is sometimes called 'the Horned God'.

The symbol of Malal is a skull, half white, half black. Sometimes it appears alone, other times superimposed over the Eight-pointed Star of Chaos. His sacred number is said to be 11, but only petty mortals would even consider assigning a number of a God of Chaos.

Facrast


Facrast is an Imperial world on the fringes of the Malfian sub, Calixis sector. It is one of the last major outposts of civilization before the great Margins Warp Storms that separate Calixis from the Koronus expanse.

Facrast is classified as a War World. Countless nation-states compete for power over the planet, often using military means. The Confederacy has long held a kind of hegemony, and have the approval of the Imperium in the form of a Governor. However, as they have repeatedly failed to pay the tithe, there is some doubt as to the legitimacy of the government. Were it not for the Fall of Scintilla, there is every reason to believe the Lucid Court would have intervened.

There are at present 3 major factions, scattered across the lands and seas of Facrast:

  • The "Loyalist" Confederacy, with 15 million soldiers and three ancient Sword-class frigates in orbit, are centrally located in a large, arid continent surrounding a bitter "inner sea". 
  • The "Traitorous" Federation, 10 million soldiers and a Chaos Cruiser in orbit, are located on the same major landmass as the Confederacy, but to the east. 
  • The "Deviant" Alliance, with 5 million soldiers and a Xenos cruiser in deep space, are more scattered, with holdings around the globe. The Alliance is rapidly growing in economic and military power.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Vaxanide


Vaxanide is a minor hive world in the Malfian subsector of the former Calixis sector. It's infamous for the squalid conditions inside its hive cities, the poor quality of its Guard Regiments, and general lack of piety in the population (despite countless Ministorum attempts to improve faith). Situated at the edge of sector territory, Vaxanide has always been economically marginalized, despite decent mineral output and considerable potential for the export of proteins.

The total registered population was around 3 billion prior to the Coming of the Dark Prophet, but the destruction of the sector has forced many refugees to flee here. The actual population is unknown, but the local Administratum notes that they are currently feeding at least 10 billion people. It's very fortunate that Vanxanide has quite a bit of excess production and agricultural capacity, or it would have been unable to feed the refugees.

The main hive complex is the Vaxanhive, a mighty tiered spire that houses around 750 million citizens. The capital hive is protected by a 400-meter high adamantium wall and powerful void shields. Lord-Governor Malus Vaxanide, scion of House Vaxanide, technically rules the planet, but real power lies with Malfian High Command, a military junta that's trying to create a pocket empire out of the Calixian hinterlands.

It's worth noting that Krawl, Champion of Terra, is said to reside inside the spire. A mighty warrior, he fought bravely during the Fall of Scintilla, bringing low scores of Chaos Champions. Clad in custom Mk VI Astartes PA (yes, he's that big), the Champion wields an ancient power sword and carries with him a mighty Banner of Terra. This artifact is said to have come from the Throne Room on Holy Terra. An army that hold the banner cannot be defeated - or so they say.