Chamber of St. Psyche

Barotta has located a peculiar psychic booster chamber deep within the labyrinthine central structure of Erioch. It's not obviously connected to the Omega Vault, yet there is no record of it anywhere in the archives of the Watch-master or the Chief Librarian of the Long Watch.

While it's obviously a psy-booster of some sort, it seems incredibly complex and powerful, and the notion that it has other, deeper secrets cannot be discounted.

Research Option: Chamber of St. Psyche unlocked. 

Leading to the Chamber of St. Psyche is a spiraling corridor studded with eight most identical chambers. It's worth noting that the corridor itself is improbably long and winding, and the cambers placed so they cannot possibly exist in the space they occupy solely in three-dimensional space.

When found, each chamber held a precious psychic artifact, leading Barotta to believe they were secure vaults. But what if they have another, more sinister function?

Research Option: The Eight-fold Way unlocked.

The Dead Cabal & the Dark Pattern

+++FACTION DATAFAX+++

The Dead Cabal was a secret and select group within the Inquisition that concerned itself with the events of the so-called Dark Pattern occurring within the Jericho Reach and elsewhere in the Ultima Segmentum. 

As far as can be told, there are no known members of the Cabal alive and active in the nascent Jericho Sector. There is a possible match on one Inquisitor Hybris, Ordo Xenos, Mammon sector (about eight hundred light-years to Trailing and Coreward of the Well of Night). 

Research Option: Dead Cabal unlocked.

Research Option: Inquisitor Hybris unlocked.

Research Option: Mammon sector unlocked.

The Dark Pattern is an ominous pattern of Dead Worlds in the Jericho Reach and beyond that has long concerned the Deathwatch and their Ordo Xenos masters. This celestial phenomenon may very well have led to the instigation of the Long Watch in the Reach millennia before the coming of the Achilus Crusade. 

The phenomenon is sometimes described as a web of death, a sprinkling of Dead Worlds, torn from their celestial procession as if to array themselves in the heavens according to some entirely unnatural configuration. Other sources claim these barren worlds are host to elements that should not exist in such places or have known the tread of Xenos species that existed long before the birth of humanity.

Research Option: Dark Pattern unlocked.

According to journal entries from at Ericho, some (now sadly deceased) members of the Cabal were convinced the Aeldari (Eldar in Low Gothic) were involved in the Conclave of Tears. Supposedly Aeldari of all kinds were in on it: Corsairs, Craftowlrd Eldar, Dark Eldar, even the mythical Harelqins. Since Eldar sightings have been exceedingly rare in the Reach, few gave this theory much credit. Those with actual knowledge of the Eldar found it... exceedingly far fetched, as these factions are known not to cooperate very well.

Research Option: Conclave of Tears unlocked.

Avalos (Devoured World)

+++PLANETARY DATAFAX+++

Avalos is a semi-Devoured World located within the Orpheus Salient. A major action against a Genestealr Cult was fought by the Deathwatch here, resulting in the death of the Broodlord and the exposure of a massive cult following. 

As the Inquisition was purging the unclean, a Hive fleet arrived, undoubtedly summoned by the Broodlord. The timely intervention of a small Imperial fleet, led by the battleship Emperor's Wrath, provided the Deathwatch with a means to lead a boarding action against the hive ship. To the honor of the Primarchs and the God-Emperor, the Deathwatch carried the day and managed to destroy the vessel's synapse chamber. This act threw the Tyranid invasion into disarray.

While the invasion was halted, countless Xenos did make landfall and caused considerable damage to the planet's biosphere. The clean-up will take generations to complete, but if enough resources are dedicated to the task, Avalos can once more be made into a prosperous human planet.

Characters of the Jericho Deathwatch

+++CHARACTER DATAFAX+++

Vandar Ilych: Old Imperial Fist Techmarine. Recovered from the Andronicus Watch-Station. Now resides at Erioch, overseeing the fortifications, armories, and forges there.

Taurus 'Beastmaster': Black Ravens (possible, but not confirmed, Raven Guard successor) Codicier, the last Astartes of his Chapter, his brothers having been wiped out by the Chaos Warband known as 'the Harvest'. Recovered from Hethgard. Master of Tyranids by his own indomitable will (though he is perhaps not entirely sane nor pure anymore).

Steingrim 'Bloodhaze': Space Wolf Veteran and ex-Wolf Priest. Exiled from the Fang (before its destruction) for killing another Wolf. Recovered from Hethgard. His senses - and ability to interpret what he senses - are nothing short of extraordinary. For example, he seems to be able to smell mutation. In a strange twist of fate, this is the man who is primarily responsible for training new Sons...

Echilus: Novamarine (UM successor Chapter), hates Xenos with a passion (especially Tau, but any Xeno will do) greater than most Astartes. Recovered from Hethgard. Kept busy roaming the sector aboard the Phaedas, looking for more Deathwatch survivors and doing scouting work. Could become a problem later.

Watch-Sergeant Garrus: White Consuls. Recovered from Watch-station Arkhas, deep in the Orpheus Salient.

3x Storm Wardens: Survivors of the Fall of Calixis. Recovered alongside Garrus.

Codicier Jon Castus: Fire Angel Librarian, recovered from Iobel, having fled there from Midael.

4x Various Chapters: Survivors of Midael.

Watch-Stations of the Jericho Deathwatch

Erioch is a vast fortress, hidden and centrally located, but it cannot cover the entire Jericho Reach effectively. A number of smaller forts are scattered across the Reach, especially in the area around the Hadex Anomaly, but also elsewhere. These so-called Watch Stations were hidden fortress-monasteries, used for rest and resupply, and acting as forward bases.

It should be possible to Research the locations of 1 or more Watch Stations. The stations might provide additional Astartes equipment or other benefits for the Master of the Deathwatch.

Discovered Watch-stations:

Watch Station ANDRONICUS: Distant and dead Andronicus is the site of both a mighty fortress of the Deathwatch, and the Inquisition's Warp Observatory. Pimerial First Techmarine VANDAR ILYCH was recovered from here.

Now the fortress sits empty, protected only by automated defenses, and only a skeleton crew maintains the recently repaired observatory. Only the machine God knows for how long they will manage to keep it running, but the best bet is not very long.

Watch Station Arkhas: Watch Station Arkhas is a void station that sits hidden within the gas clouds that wreathe Arkhas VII, the system's outermost planet.

The Arkhas system contains two inhabitable, but unsettled worlds, frigid Arkhas IV, and steaming Arkhas III. The system is also an important Warp juncture, and could become a major transshipment point.

Watch Station IOBEL: Station is submerged under the kilometers-thick ice sheets of the 2nd moon of Iobel's only planet, the majestic ochre gas giant called ACHYLUS' LAMENT (no records exist of why the planet is so named).

Some of the Midael staff under the leadership of Fire Angel Librarian JON CASTUS escaped here aboard the Claymore-class Corvette Witch-slayer. Novamarine Watch-Sergeant Echilus investigated the site, taking WS Phaedas after the Iron Collar had been pacified.

WM Barotta was forced to assist when Phaedas was unable to leave due to the currents of the swelling Anomaly. It's likely that the system will be consumed, like Midael was, the next time the Anomaly expands. The station should be well protected, however, and could be used as a secret base inside the Anomaly itself.

Watch Station MIDAEL: Located within the deep stone catacombs beneath HIVE CRASSUS, the Jewel of Midael the Fallen. One of the largest of the Jericho Watch-stations, Midael guarded one of the most heavily trafficked routes in and out of the Hadex Anomaly. Such was the scale of the caverns that the station had room enough for an escort-class vessel, hidden from prying eyes by the earth's embrace.

Watch Station Midael was swallowed by a sudden expansion of the Hadex Anomaly. It subsequently came under attack by Chaos forces and it's staff and Astartes slaughtered, including Watch-Captain AMANEDIEL of the DARK ANGELS.

Watch Station OERTHA: Located on a non-descript rocky body in the Oertha system, close to the Greyhell Front, WS Oertah was a recently established outpost, tasked with keeping an eye on the Tau.

When a Tyranid fleet arrived, the Watch-Sergeant of Oertha was forced to make common cause with the Tau. The Tyranids were driven off, but in the process, the Tau discovered the presence of the station. Oertha was obliterated by heavy railgun strikes. At least that's what Barotta believes may have happened.

Watch Station PHAEDAS: The Watch-Station is essentially a Warp-capable void station, its structures constructed into a small asteroid. Phaedas is a relic of ages past, largely automated, its myriad machine spirits (artificial intelligences) demonstrating sophistication that rivals those of the most ancient and revered of Titans. The vessel seems to operate based on incredibly complex logic paths, turning augur data into plotted courses, even able to travel short distances through the Warp without a Navigator.

Phaedas obeys only the commands of the Watch-Master. It's with great reluctance it allows humans to board it, and it will not suffer the ministrations of any Magos.

Unexplored Watch-stations:

Watch Station Bellom - A watch station in the Canis Salient of the Achilus Crusade.

Watch Station Hestus - A watch station in the Canis Salient of the Achilus Crusade.

Watch Station Ormasim

WIP

Watch Station Castiel - A watch station in the Orpheus Salient of the Achilus Crusade.

Watch Station Credence - A watch station in the Canis Salient of the Achilus Crusade.

Watch Station Hlesan Secundus - A watch station in the Acheros Salient of the Achilus Crusade.
Watch Station Cosel

Watch Station Cressid

Watch Station Skapula

Watch Station Resgulus - A watch station in the Acheros Salient of the Achilus Crusade.
Watch Station Skapula - A watch station in the Canis Salient of the Achilus Crusade.
Watch Station Tryphon - A watch station in the Orpheus Salient of the Achilus Crusade.

Watch-Fortress Erioch

+++PLANETARY DATAFAX+++

Watch-Fortress Erioch is an ancient, pre-Heresy, star fort of immense power, in orbit around the sixth planet of the Erioch system. Although centrally located, reaching the Erioch system through the Warp is nearly impossible without accurate charts and specially-trained navigators. Furthermore, there are no planets of interest in the systems, only dead balls of rock, ice, and gas. A perfect location for a hidden base.

Erioch is the elusive HQ of the Deathwatch of the Reach, has been, since the Sons of Xandor wrested it away from the clutches of the heretical forces of the Night Lords Legion. Unknown to the galaxy at large, both system and fortress are named after 1st Captain Erioch of the Night Lords 9th Chapter, who built it and was its first commander. Why 

The station itself dwarfs even the mighty Ramiles-class star fortress - each of Erioch's quadrants are easily the size on one such lesser fort. And that's before you add the immense central citadel. They don't build on this scale anymore. Erioch is, despite its age, fully operational (though most of it lies dormant) and its automated defenses are a match for any battleship. It cavernous launch bays can hold - and repair - any escort-type vessel. Larger ships must dock along the flanks of the citadel.

When Barotta found Erioch, it accepted his identity as a Son of Xandor and Watch-Master of the Deathwatch. His coming had been foretold eons ago by another Son of Xandor Watch-master. The Omega Vault opened, and within they found a withered and wasted Son, slumbering in stasis. After spilling a half-lucid accounting of events, he killed himself with his athame, rejoining his Master (Moebius or the Prophet, who knows for sure?) across time and space.

A company of Astartes now guard Erioch, but otherwise, the great halls and endless corridors are silent and desolate. Hardly any Deathwatch call it home anymore, and the Watch-master is oft busy elsewhere.