>>44197418

The day of your departure from Kessae is filled with celebration and good tidings from your House. You’re even gifted an Ancestral Seal from the House Novator in the hopes it will aid your journey. After that you are whisked away to the spaceport to catch a transport to Port Goston, the main headquarters for Battlefleet Calixis. There you hope to meet up with your new home vessel...

> [1] The Slow Elegant, a Vagabond-class Transport between the Agri world of Bilani and the Sector Capital of Scintilla
> [2] The Unseen Orar, a Sword-class Frigate part of Battlefleet Calixis
> [3] The Brazen Of Pearl, a Conquest-class Star Galleon owned by the Rogue Trader Ferus Hillbrant
> [4] The Shadow Hornet, a Repulsive-class Grand Cruiser owned by the Rogue Trader Rana Fisger. Unlike the others, you’d be the backup Navigator rather than the main one.

---

It’s been awhile since I’ve run one of these so bear with me. Hopefully we won’t stray far from canon but that tends to happen with 40k anyways. If it turns out to be liked I’ll drop a Twitter at the end. If/When we need to roll, it’ll be best of three 1d100’s, roll under a value just like in RT. No rerolls for the time being. 10 minute limit on most voting. QM Fiat to break ties or as needed.

File: wiggle wiggle.gif (258 KB, 185x148)

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>>44197418
YAY! ELH!
> [3] The Brazen Of Pearl, a Conquest-class Star Galleon owned by the Rogue Trader Ferus Hillbrant

>>44197427
>The Brazen Of Pearl, a Conquest-class Star Galleon owned by the Rogue Trader Ferus Hillbrant

>>44197427
> [3] The Brazen Of Pearl, a Conquest-class Star Galleon owned by the Rogue Trader Ferus Hillbrant

Color me interested

File: The Important Waifu Choice.jpg (104 KB, 496x635)

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>>44197427
> Since [3]'s got it...

The journey to Port Goston will take several weeks at best. That means you have plenty of time to refresh your knowledge of the Brazen Of Pearl. The contract between House Girad and House Hillbrant took quite a few backroom deals, and there’s a lot riding on you being successful. Should you fail it’s highly likely Girad will have an even worse time securing future contracts. Thus you focus on making sure you know the Brazen Of Pearl back to front. You’re so absorbed in your data slate that you hardly notice the transport transition into the Warp. The only reason you do so (aside from the usual world turning purple sensation) is your bodyguards making a racket.

“I’ll never get used to that,” one says, rubbing his upper forearm nervously. His fellow mirrors his mood, the two engaging in rather loud conversation.

You let out a sigh as their booming laughter interrupts your concentration. Your jet-black, iris-absent eyes scan over the data slate, but to no avail. You’ve lost your place again. For hired goons you’d think they’d be a little more courteous. Or, at least, less green when it comes to Warp travel. You were under the impression that House Girad had used them before. But apparently, like most deals these days, you got the short end of the stick.

You rise from your bunk and walk over to the door where the two men are stationed outside. Then you make it a point to seal the door as noisily as possible. It elicits a, “Sorry, Miss Senka,” from each of the men before they resume talking in hushed whispers.

Now alone in your rather small stateroom, you reach up and remove the cowl masking your face. Looking back at you in the mirror on the wall is…

> Because every budding quest needs waifu customization
> [1] A tanned woman with crimson bangs and ponytail
> [2] Pale-skin with mid-length, deep-blue hair
> [3] Fair-Skin and bald
> [4] Light chocolate skin with a messy, ashen poof

>>44197719
> [1] A tanned woman with crimson bangs and ponytail
those horns help with the navigation.

>>44197753
Eh, no horns really. They're just the closest hair/face references I could find that matched what I had in mind. Your only non-warp eye mutation is the jet black eyes for now.

>>44197719
>> [2] Pale-skin with mid-length, deep-blue hair

>>44197719
>[2] Pale-skin with mid-length, deep-blue hair
Still going with women huh? Figured you would've taken a shot at writing a guy, oh well.

>>44197719
> [1] A tanned woman with crimson bangs and ponytail

>>44197815
That didn't end well when I tried it with SitS. Besides, I have more fun writing mutant girls. And Orcs that talk like Connery. But mostly the first thing.

>>44197815
but everytime the MC's a guy, /tg/ always demands waifus and dickings.
It's better when MC is a girl. IMO

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Unless a vote comes in right as a post this, lemme just roll it off to keep things moving along.

>>44197719
>[2] Pale-skin with mid-length, deep-blue hair

>>44197719

Your most prominent feature is a third eye smack dab in the middle of your forehead. The Warp Eye is key to your profession, and immediately identifies you as a Navigator. It allows you to read the currents of the Warp, and thus discern “safe” passage through it. Currently your Warp Eye is closed behind a mechanical, silver shutter. It’s controlled by an interface similar to a Mind Impulse Unit, meaning you can open and close the shutter at will. Most of the time it remains sealed and hidden beneath hair and cowl. Really, the only time it’s open is when you’re navigating or using one of your few powers.

Past that, your angular features, deep blue hair, and lithe form are unremarkable. You suppose if you weren’t a mutant, even an “accepted” one like a Navigator, you might even be considered “attractive.” But such things are so far removed from your life that it hardly matters. That’s what you tell yourself, anyways. It’s kind of a coping mechanism.

A sudden shift in the grav plates rocks you in place. The motion causes you to have a flashback of your time aboard the Silent Golden. Failing grav plates were one of the many ill omens that accompanied the Gellar Field flickers. Said failures were followed by rainstorms of blood, which are thankfully absent this time. You’re almost 100% positive it’s simply standard Imperium technology attrition. Or so you hope. There’s only one real way to be sure.

You step back from the mirror, open your Warp Eye, and stare into hell itself. Each Navigator interprets the Immaterium in their own way. In your case, you see…

> [1] A never-ending cityscape
> [2] A wild rainforest
> [3] A raging sea
> [4] A frozen tundra engulfed in a blizzard
> [5] A crowded dance floor

>>44197883
IMO waifus only appear in a quest by the writers descrition. We can't force them to write anything, only steer the direction of the story, so what they type down is up to them.

For instace look at Novice Heretek Quest as a good example.

And to prove your point wrong, you need only look towards Ryukuza Quest for harems forming around a girl.

>>44198011
>[1] A never-ending cityscape

>>44198011
> [1] A never-ending cityscape
With Emp's light as the Tallest Skyscraper in the Horizon.

>>44198011
>A frozen tundra engulfed in a blizzard

>>44198011
> [1] A never-ending cityscape

Isn't the standard operating procedure for navigators during a warp storm to lock themselves in a closet and wait for it to end?

[1] it is, back in a bit! We've hit the edge of my prewriting. Now things get interesting!

Also, here's Senka's character sheet for reference:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h53V9xovaCGkwB1kkB26l6OBwahOGs22rsQe4sCA_M4/edit?usp=sharing

>>44198208
Usually they hide in their own towers. But you don't have one of those (yet)

>>44198011

The cityscape stretches out before you like a grand Hive laid upon its side. At first glance, there’s no real rhyme or reason to the smoke-lined buildings and roads. But the longer you look, the more your training allows you to discern patterns. The first is the light of the Astronomican, a holy light sustained by the God Emperor himself that is the only fixed reference point for navigation. It’s represented by a towering, glowing skyscraper taller than every other building on the horizon.

The second thing that jumps out at you is the “road” your transport vessel is on. It snakes and weaves seemingly without reason, and it does appear to be free of any other “traffic.” Usually other entities on the roads represent other ships, but your experience on the Silent Golden showed you that any number of malevolent Warp entities could easily cause a sort of traffic jam without any warning. Out of paranoia, you watch the road for another twenty minutes before closing your Warp Eye. If something was going to happen it would have already.

“You’re just being jumpy,” you say to yourself in the mirror. “Focus on the task at hand.”

You return to your data slate on the Brazen of Pearl and resume your reading. It’s a storied vessel that usually roams the Koronus Expanse. Its crew number well past sixty-five thousand, each sworn in service to House Hillbrant. Hillbrant himself seems to be your standard Rogue Trader - driven by profit and the riches of the unknown. It all sits well with you except one matter: what happened to their last Navigator?

> cont

>>44198452

The grav plates going on the fritz again causes you to instinctively open your warp eye. Not having your own sanctum is annoying. Had you had one you might be able to better effect your vessel’s journey through the Warp. But all you can do as a passenger is watch as the Navigator drives over countless “potholes.” More so than usual. Maybe he’s new?

> [1] Leave it be
> [2] See if you can’t get a vox channel to him
> [3] Go on a walk to calm your nerves

>>44198468
>[2] See if you can’t get a vox channel to him

>>44198468
>[2] See if you can’t get a vox channel to him

[2] it is, back in a bit.

Side question - Blue robes/cowl or red?

>>44198677

Blue, but a lighter color blue than our hair

>>44198677
I like Blue

>>44198468

After another five bumps you finally settle on saying something. Either the Navigator is having a laugh or isn’t seeing the countless shoals he keeps hitting. Thus you don your cowl, approach the door to your stateroom, and open it.

Both of your bodyguards turn and nod respectfully. “Can we help you, Miss Senka?”

You nod. “Yes. I’d like to talk to this vessel’s Navigator. Could you arrange that for me?”

The two men share a look that clearly shows they have no idea where to even begin in fulfilling that request. If they weren’t at least armed with hellpistols you’d write them off as completely useless.

“Fine,” you say. “We’re going on a trip then. Be good guards for once and tail me silently.”

They give you no argument. You lead them towards one of the many Administratum offices on this deck. It seems like the best place to start short of grabbing a passing crewman and shaking him. You aim for an office with the least amount of paperwork stacked against the window, entering and announcing your presence.

“I am Senka Girad,” you begin. “I require a means to contact your Navigator.”

The three gentlemen in the office pause what they were doing to look up at you from their desks. Two immediately note your cowl and robes and bow their head. The other not so much.

“And by what right do you have to ask such a thing?” asks the clueless Adept.

> [1] Silently show him your warp eye (closed of course)
> [2] Announce that you’re a Navigator yourself
> [3] Tell him the vessel is in grave danger

>>44198797
>[1] Silently show him your warp eye (closed of course)

>>44198797
> [1] Silently show him your warp eye (closed of course)

>>44198797
>[1] Silently show him your warp eye (closed of course)

>>44198797
> [1] Silently show him your warp eye (closed of course)

>>44198797

It’s not often that you get to surprise someone with your mutation. Usually the robes and your eyes are a dead giveaway. But if you expected common sense and awareness from everyone all the time you’d just be naive. And if there’s anything growing up in House Girad taught you it’s that it’s best to assume the lowest common denominator.

Silently, you reach up and remove the cowl hiding your face. You then stare daggers at the Adept as his face goes through several emotions ranging from surprise to fear.

“I-I see,” he stammers. “But Navigator Damas is cloistered within his tower. The only person who can talk to him is the captain.”

“You can’t make an exception for a fellow Navigator?” you ask.

“No. Even if I could, the Captain’s literally the only one with a line to the tower. You’ll have to go through him.”

You sigh and re-don your cowl. “Great. Where’s the Captain right now?”

“Having dinner, Ma’am.”

“Well that’s just wonderful. I get to interrupt a meal. He’s going to be so thrilled with me.”

Your sarcasm is lost on all present. Not that that fazes you. You’re given directions to the Captain’s private dining hall up near bridge after a small bout of silence. Then you bow out and start heading in that direction.

> [1] Take the scenic route so you don’t interrupt the main course
> [2] Head straight there
> [3] Give up for now and head back to your stateroom

>>44199113
>[1] Take the scenic route so you don’t interrupt the main course

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Also I whipped up this 5 second reference in case this becomes a thing later. Yell if something's not quite what you had in mind.

>>44199113
>Head straight there
Making it to your destination without dying should be high on the priority list for a captain

>>44199148
???
Profit!

>>44199113
> [1] Take the scenic route so you don’t interrupt the main course

Best to not piss him off too bad

>>44199113
>[2] Head straight there

[1] it is, back a tic!

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>44199324
....Orrrr that last vote could tie it. Lemme roll it off.

>>44199113

Questioning a vessel’s Navigator is usually met with a bout in a pain glove or time spent down in the dregs. Really the only reason you’ll be able to get away with it is because you’re both a passenger and a fellow mutant. And even though you’ll be interrupting the Captain’s meal, arriving safely at Port Goston should trump any need for procedure. So you head straight there.

Along the way you witness several oddities. The first is a corridor where the gravity seems to be spinning. A hapless crewman is stranded midway between all four surfaces, unable to reach refuge. The second is a passageway coated in frost several inches thick. Strangely, several crewmen seem to be playing a game you vaguely know is called “ice hockey.” Why they’re playing atop psychically-induced ice is beyond you. Maybe it’s a common occurrence for that stretch of desk.

The last bit of weirdness comes in the form of the vox unit in the bridge lift giving off a terrible screeching noise. By now your bodyguards are on alert, nervously scanning for any signs of direct trouble. No such problems arise while you’re in the lift, thankfully. When you spill out onto the bridge you see that the bridge crew present (ranging from real men to servitors) appear to be operating normally. They pay you little mind as you take a side passage behind the command throne.

Now standing before the Mess’ door, you wonder how best to breach the room.

> [1] Politely as possible
> [2] “Hey did you know your Navigator is asleep at the wheel?”
> [3] Send in your bodyguards and have them bring the Captain to you
> [4] Write in

---

Side note - is anyone's 4chanX updating oddly? Some replies aren't showing up until far after the fact.

>>44199516
> [2] “Hey did you know your Navigator is asleep at the wheel?”

>>44199516
>[2] “Hey did you know your Navigator is asleep at the wheel?”

>>44199516
>[1] Politely as possible
No need to be rude.

>>44199516
> [2] “Hey did you know your Navigator is asleep at the wheel?”

Time to show off some of that classic "Yes we;re mutants but your pathetic empire would never be able to survive without us so we're extorting you and there is nothing you can do about it" attitude that Navigators are so famous (read: hated) for.

>>44199516
>[2] “Hey did you know your Navigator is asleep at the wheel?”

[2] it is, back in a bit

>>44199516

Again, you decide that the usual pleasantries are best ignored. Plus you’ve always been a fan of the direct approach. Bluntness and sarcasm are you two favorite things, after all. Worst case you’ll just be demoted to some ill-kept room near the engines or locked within your current one. A small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

You look expectantly at your bodyguards and motion at the door. They take the hint, each opening either side of the double door. You step inside and loudly announce, “Are you aware that your Navigator is asleep at the wheel?”

The twenty or so crew present go dead quiet at your words. All ranking officers, they look between you and the Captain Batu at the head of the table. To his credit, he takes your words pretty well.

“I do so hope you’re not insinuating Mr. Damas is failing at his job,” he begins. “Because the airlock door is right there if you have a problem with his performance.”

“And yet we’ve hit countless shoals in the Warp, Captain Hatu,” you fire back. “Something is going on. Even the most green of Navigators should be able to avoid them.”

That gets some of the officers talking in hushed tones. They silence themselves as Hatu clears his throat. “Damas has served us well for countless centuries. We’ve always made it to our destination with minimal loss to crew and sanity. And yet you, an unknown Navigator, say that he’s deliberately interfering with our travels. You must see how this looks.”

You’re not dense. You do have enough social awareness to know you’ll have to choose your next works carefully if they’re to believe you.

> All options require a Fel check
> [1] “Fine, don’t believe me. But when we’re stuck motionless in a few days don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
> [2] “Surely you must be getting reports of abnormalities from all decks.”
> [3] “I chose your vessel as transport because I thought you a man with common sense. What reason would I have to lie?”

>>44199862
> [3] “I chose your vessel as transport because I thought you a man with common sense. What reason would I have to lie?”
remind me, is this a roll over or under DC check?

>>44199926
Under. In this case it's under 42.

>>44199946
>In this case it's under 42.
>42
>that reference
do we roll now?

>>44199993
Nah I'll let you know when to roll.

>>44199862
>[2] “Surely you must be getting reports of abnormalities from all decks.”

I'll decide the tiebreaker off-screen (assuming 4chanX hasn't missed a vote update).

In the meantime let's get our first roll outta the way.

3 different anons each roll me a 1d100 if you would. The lowest value is the one we'll go with, unless a 1 or a 100 crops up.

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>44200143
roll low slow, but we know /tg/ dice, they'll roll high to laugh at us.
Captcha: burgers count as sandwiches?

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>44200143

>>44200189
>>44200164
I suppose that'll work for now. Only thing that'd change the roll is a 100. Back in a bit!

>>44200164
>burgers count as sandwiches?
All burgers are a form of sandwich, but not all sandwiches are burgers.

>>44199862

You straighten up and place the butt of your staff powerfully against the deck before you. “I chose your vessel as transport because I thought you a man with common sense. What reason would I have to lie?”

“Perhaps you’re seeking to replace him,” answers one of the several arch militants at the table.

“Indeed,” replies Hatu. “We’re fully aware of the state of House Girad. It’s a blessing you were even able to afford passage on my vessel. And given that Damas hails from House Benetek…”

Benetek. You know that name. It’s a Magisterial House. They tend to be the most powerful and influential of Houses. Which just makes matters worse. You might as well be accusing a planetary governor of heresy.

“Trust me, I want nothing to do with this vessel,” you fire back. “I have a much better one waiting for me at Port Goston. So no. I don’t want to replace him. I simply want to get to our destination on time and fully intact.”

It might be your imagination but Hatu smirked. “Fine. If it will placate you and get you out of my Mess.”

He rummages in his opulent overcoat and produces a handheld vox unit. After fiddling with the frequency, he says, “Mr. Damas, do you have a minute?”

There’s a pause, then a gravely voice replies back, “A few, Lord Captain. What do you need?”

Hatu looks at you. “One of our passengers has expressed concern with your driving. Is everything alright up there?”

“Everything’s fine,” Damas assures. “A little shaky but we’re past the worst of it. But let me guess, that passenger happens to be that Beggar Navigator.”

> [1] Butt into the conversation
> [2] Silently take your lumps
> [3] Write in

>>44200431
>[1] Butt into the conversation

>>44200431
> [2] Silently take your lumps

>>44200431
>[1] Butt into the conversation
We're committed. We can't back out now.

>>44200431
> [1] Butt into the conversation

This "Beggar" Navigator has managed to notice with no trouble whatsoever each of the shoals that you appear to be gleefully plowing this vessel into. Continuing with this method of steering is liable to do harm to the good Captain's ship.

Did someone say "butt?"

>>44200718
Makoto, go back to anonkun

>>44200431

“The ‘Beggar Navigator’ is right here,” you loudly proclaim so as to be picked up across the table. “And she can see quite clearly that you’re not even trying to avoid the shoals and reefs in our way.”

“If you had any experience whatsoever you’d know that sometimes barreling through them is the fastest way,” your counterpart retorts.

“Maybe that reckless behavior is what House Benetek teaches, but in House Girad we take the safety of our vessels very seriously.”

Before either of you can go any further, the Captain steps in. “That will be all, Damas. Thank you.” Then he looks at you. “I think it’d be best for you to return to your room and remain there for the rest of the trip.”

You grimace but bow your head. “Of course *Lord* Captain. Sorry for troubling you with what apparently is accepted negligence.”

From there you slip out of the Mess and head back to your own room. Much to your chagrin, five voidsmen are there waiting for you. But before the lead can open his mouth, you interject, “Yes I know. You’re here to make sure I don’t leave. Fine.”

Then you slide past them and shut the door. Alone once more, you find yourself alternating between studying the Brazen of Pearl and staring into the Warp. The latter does appear to be clearer, yet you can’t shake the feeling something is wrong.

> [1] Stop doubting and have faith in Damas
> [2] Continue on checking every few hours
> [3] Remain immersed in your Warp Eye’s vision until you need sleep
> [4] Write in

>>44200781
>[2] Continue on checking every few hours

So...what did happen to SITS?

>>44200781
> [2] Continue on checking every few hours

>>44200781
>[1] Stop doubting and have faith in Damas

>>44200781
> [2] Continue on checking every few hours

>>44200836
I ended up dropping it due to health concerns and a lack of motivation. It was mired down in waifu problems (admittedly of my own fault) that weren't easily resolved.

[2] has it. Let's keep it simple and do one perception/awareness check for that time span instead of multiple.

3 anons. 1d100 vs a 50

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>44200990

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>44200990
dice be a bitch.

>>44201024
you are mistaken.

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>44200990
rolling for #3 if no one's taking it.

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>44200990

>>44201021
>>44201024
>>44201049

Well then. First nat 1 of the night/quest. Back in a bit.

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>>44201065
praise da empah.

>>44200887
So instead of trying to fix something you abandon and walk away? Its your show boss, but it doesn't give me hope for this quest.

>>44201024
In any other quest I'd start swearing and calling you a faggot. But NICE job anon.
also, this other Navigator sounds old. What are the chances of him dying suddenly? (from age not Daemons or other warp fuckery)

>>44200781

You might be paranoid but you’re not so far gone to let that itch distract you from everything else. You force yourself to stop checking every twenty minutes and instead opt for one quick glance every three hours. The first three such periods are unremarkable. The road’s stopped snaking between buildings and has straightened out. There’s an occasional blockage but Damas actually avoids them rather than plowing through. Maybe your words reached the Captain. Or maybe Damas simply did it bait you out earlier.

In any case, you get some shuteye after your brain starts to feel like it’s on fire. You dreams are full of fat noblemen arguing about which highrise in your vision that they should buy. Strange perhaps, but not so disturbing that it stops you from getting a full night’s rest.

When you awake you go through the usual hygiene regiment. After the shower you plop down on the edge of the bed and look into the Warp one last time. You appear to be approaching a T-shaped intersection. You instinct tells you that you should go to the left, yet Damas steers right. As soon as he’s done so you see something that makes your heart stop. Damas has led the transport right into a dead end. And he’s not slowing down.

> [1] Brace yourself
> [2] Shout a warning to the men outside, then brace yourself
> [3] Pray to the Emperor and curse Damas

>>44201172
I did try, but without getting too derailed here let's just say the waifu factor was about as bad as the one around Acerea in KQ.

>>44201228
>> [2] Shout a warning to the men outside, then brace yourself
Lets try to have some grunts between us and any daemons.

>>44201228
> [2] Shout a warning to the men outside, then brace yourself

Oh yay, if we survive this we get to be super fucking smug about it

>>44201275
Won't even say a word, just grin.

>>44201228
> [2] Shout a warning to the men outside, then brace yourself
This will get their attention that the "beggar Navigator" is onto something.
I bet Damas made contact with Chaos and is deliberately steering the ship into a trap.

>>44201228
>Shout a warning to the men outside, BRACE

Howdy Hel, Ain't seen your quests before and this one perked me interest.

>>44201228
>[3] Pray to the Emperor and curse Damas

So do you expect less waifuing this time, whats different between now and SITS/KC?

>>44201228
>[2] Shout a warning to the men outside, then brace yourself
Always treat meatshields nicely; they're going to die anyway, might as well be so that you may live.

>>44201302
Hi Salt Mind!

>>44201355
xD Howdy it Chibis, How you been?

God damn it Chibis where are the Boops!? jk

[2] it is. Back in a bit.

>>44201324
SitS had a male lead and was very much waifu wars. KQ had some waifuing but it was more meta/a general like of certain characters.

>>44201381
Busy. Very busy. I should be watching this in the middle of Finals week yet here I am.

Boop

>>44201228

The almost-incursion on the Silent Golden taught you it pays to have warm bodies between you and potential warp entities. So you shout as loud as you can for the men outside to brace themselves and dive under your bed. And not a moment too soon.

There’s a horrendous, metallic screech and crumpling sound as the transport slams into the Warp Reef. The space under your bed is cramped enough that you weather the impact without being flung about. You can’t say the same for the men outside based on the loud cursing that’s coming through your door. Gingerly, you pull yourself out and get dressed. The contents of your room were flung about in the crash, and it takes you several minutes more to find your hellpistol among the disarray.

Once you’re finally prepared you open the door and survey the damage. Two of the voidsmen and one of your bodyguards have been reduced to a sort of fleshy paste against one of the walls. The remaining men are sporting injuries ranging from broken bones to full on concussions.

“Who can stand?” you ask. Two of the voidsmen grunt and pick themselves up. “Good. We need to get to the Captain and see what’s going on.”

Thankfully the guards know better than to stick to their task of keeping you here. They follow you as you plod down the corridor towards the lifts. Along the way you hear countless screams and cries of alarm coming from neighboring rooms and passageways. If you weren’t having flashbacks to the Silent Golden before you definitely are now.

Much to your dismay, the lifts on this level don’t appear to be operable. In fact the moment you step inside the deck lights wink off to be replaced by red emergency ones. You’ll need to find another way up.

> [1] Use the stairs
> [2] Attempt to find a working lift on a different deck
> [3] See about using a vox relay to reach the Captain

>>44201603
> [1] Use the stairs

>>44201603
>> [1] Use the stairs and sigh
but you might as well.
> [3] See about using a vox relay to reach the Captain

>>44201645
and by sigh I mean in a way that establishes that you were right and if they had listened to you this would never have happened.

>>44201603
>[3] See about using a vox relay to reach the Captain

>>44201583
Kek Good luck with your Finals Chibis encase I forget later or you poof

DED

>>44201603
Use the Stairs.

>>44201603
> [1] Use the stairs

Stairs it is. Back in a tic.

>>44201603

The stairs on any starship are hardly used except in times of emergency. The sheer amount of flights make them prohibitively taxing to all but those with high endurance. Still, you can at least head up several decks and reassess the situation there. So up you climb, voidsmen in tow.

Ten minutes later you arrive at Deck 5. Five up from where your room is, this deck seems to be much better off. There’s countless wounded along the corridor, yet unlike below they are less worse for wear. Probably due to the fact the Med Bay is on this level. Thinking on it, you decide it’s at least worth stopping by the Med Bay if only to get your entourage patched up.

By the time you come within visual range of it, though, you’re starting to second-guess yourself. There’s a massive line of injured people that’s doubled back on itself twice. There’s no way you’re getting through that any time soon. And time is of the utmost importance.

“Where are the lifts on this floor?” you question your bodyguards.

They point past the Med Bay. “Other side.”

You let out a sigh. “Great. One of you find out if they’re working or not.”

One of your voidsmen does just that. His methods (grabbing the nearest Tech Priest and shaking him) are questionable but they get results. It seems the elevators do appear to be working. You just have to get through the crowd.

> [1] Announce yourself as a Navigator and for them to clear the way
> [2] Start crowd weaving
> [3] Go up/down and around
> [4] Write in

>>44201928
> [1] Announce yourself as a Navigator and for them to clear the way

I need to get to the bridge now

>>44201928
>> [4] Write in
Start hitting people with your stick. All navigators I've seen have a stick and what other purpose is it used for?

>>44201928
> [1] Announce yourself as a Navigator and for them to clear the way
>>44201975
supporting.

>>44201928
>[2] Start crowd weaving

>>44201928
>out the way, I GOT THE EYE OF THE NAVIGATOR

>>44201928
> [2] Start crowd weaving

>you guys picking the trap option

[1] has it by a vote I believe. In order to command that many people at once you'll need to pass a difficult fellowship test.

1d100 vs 32 if you would.

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>44202134
big bewbies

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>44202134
Lets see

>>44202134
I think we got it mate.
(indeed captcha, select ALL the food)

>>44202139
>>44202146
Well then. You really wanted them out of the way. Short of a 100 you pass with flying colors. Back in a bit.

>>44202170
Usually I wait for the three rolls regardless just in case of 1/100s. But since we're starting off I'm going with what speeds us along the best.

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>44202134
raollan

>>44202188
wait we passed? Isn't high good?

>>44202203
Not in this quest apparently, although Chibs seems to have us covered if that was the case.

>>44202203
in this case the way to pass is to roll under the DC.

>>44202203
It's using Dark Heresy rules, so it's roll-under.

>>44201928

You muster up all the volume you can and command those before you to step aside. So powerful and so direct are you that it actually works. The mass of people between you and the Med Bay part to either side of the corridor, giving you clear passage. You earn a few odd glances and stares at your cowl, but otherwise you arrive unmolested. Before the nurse at the entrance can even open her mouth you push past her with “I’m coming through here.”

Weaving between the countless filled beds to get to the other side takes you perhaps five minutes. Right as the lifts come into view, the entire ship rocks and emits another high-pitched screech. Screams of terror erupt from behind you but you can’t worry about that now. You need to get to the bridge as soon as possible. There’s just one final obstacle: a contingent of voidsmen turning away everyone from the elevators.

Again you puff yourself up and order them out of your way. They seem taken aback by your imposing presence, but waste no time in letting you pass. Once inside the lift and on your way, you muse whether you could have been a commissar in another life.

Finally you arrive at the bridge. This time it’s controlled chaos. Countless consoles have burnt out, and there’s more than one servitor embedded in the walls and controls. The only thing that seems relatively unscathed is the Command Throne. In it is Captain Hatu.

> [1] “I told you so.”
> [2] Let your smirk do the talking for you
> [3] “What’s the situation?”

>>44202351
> [3] “What’s the situation?”

>>44202345
>>44202248
>>44202233
Danke. CAN YOU HEAR THE VOICES OF CHAOS TOO? Fucking game is insane with periles chart

>Smirk
>Whats the Situation?

>>44202351
>> [2] Let your smirk do the talking for you
Or maybe do that after.
> [3] “What’s the situation?”

File: smug mug.png (511 KB, 681x665)

511 KB PNG

>>44202351
>smug smile, look at him smugly. Then drop the smug and ask "What's the situation. Pic related for example of our smug mug.

>>44202351
>[2] Let your smirk do the talking for you

File: 1425532259805.png (72 KB, 1094x796)

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>>44202351
>start with a calculating scowl. Let it turn into a smirk.

>>44202351

You have to wait a few minutes while Hatu deals with several individuals reporting into him. When there’s finally a gap you step before him and smirk smugly.

“What’s the situation?” you ask, shit-eating grin ever present.

Hatu gives you an exasperated look. “Come to say I told you so, I take it?”

“Oh no,” you say, waving his notion off. “I would *never* do such a thing. House Girad members are taught nothing but the best social etiquette.”

For a moment it seems like the Captain’s about to go off on you. But another ear-shattering screech makes him think better of it.

“Be that as it may, you’ll be happy to know Damas has gone quiet. I can’t raise him on any frequency, even the backups. And to make matters worse the Navigator Sanctum is sealed.”

“So unseal it,” you offer. “You should have backup systems for this sort of thing.”

Hatu shakes his head wearily. “Already been tried. They’re all dead. It’ll take us days, if not weeks, to cut through. You should know more than anyone how thick those doors are.”

Well that’s a problem.

> [1] Try raising Damas via vox yourself
> [2] There is always the forbidden code…
> [3] Tell the Captain to exit the Warp so you can go in from outside
> [4] Write in

>>44202540
>[3] Tell the Captain to exit the Warp so you can go in from outside

>>44202540
> [3] Tell the Captain to exit the Warp so you can go in from outside

File: 1447994209234.jpg (46 KB, 640x1076)

46 KB JPG

>>44197418
>quintessential

That's not what that means. You meant "essential", not a "perfect example of their type". You tried to make it sound fancy, but you just sound like a dumbass.

>>44202540
>[4] Write in
Quickly look to see if it would be safe to exit the Warp right now (don't want to emerge inside a star or in the middle of a Chaos fleet). Then tell the Captain to exit the Warp.

>>44202540
>[3] Tell the Captain to exit the Warp so you can go in from outside

>>44202540
I'll vote >>44202604

>>44202540
>>44202604
do this

So the general idea seems to be to exit the Warp if it's safe. Back in a bit.

>>44202585
I have the same problem with Penultimate. No one's perfect.

>>44202540
Before you even mention de-warping, you step off to the side so as not to blind Hatu with your Warp Eye and take a look. What you see isn’t wonderful. Half of the transport seems to be lodged into the smoky building representing the reef. There’s nothing in realspace (thankfully) that would prevent you from exiting the Warp, but re-entering it might be a problem. To make matters worse, you see several tears and gashes in the hull where the Immaterial mass sliced through both shield and gellar field. It’s a wonder you’re not venting atmosphere.

“I take it exiting the Warp isn’t an option?” calls over Hatu.

You shake your head as the shutter over your eye closes. “No, it is. But getting back might be tricky. Not to mention whether it’ll be safe with the damage to the hull.”

“Half a ship is better than no ship at all. Mr. Thomson,” he barks at one of the bridge crew. “Prepare us to exit the Warp with all due haste.”

“Aye sir. Broadcasting the warning message now.”

With staggering shudder, the transport exits the Immaterium a few minutes later. Immediately the remaining monitors start blaring about the damage.

“Well then,” starts Hatu. “If you would be so kind Miss Senka, we really could use some answers from Damas.”

“Just point me towards a void suit and an airlock.”

Thirty minutes later you’re clambering up the exterior of the spire which holds the Navigator Sanctum. It’s slow going, mostly because you don’t want to lose your footing. You’ve only ever done an EVA once before and that was decades ago. Luckily (or perhaps not so) one of the astropaths has been feeding you what little information he has via vox.

“...and so right before we hit some of us felt a great surge of energy come from Damas’ direction. Then, nothing. And even now, nothing. But if he’s activated the emergency wards then its no wonder we can’t sense anything in there.”

> cont

>>44202714
>I have the same problem with Penultimate. No one's perfect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6pZUyZEphs

>>44202948

“Well what DO you know?” you grumble back.

“We haven’t detected any entities from beyond lingering in our domain. So far at least.”

“That’s great. Just be prepared to come rushing in then when I unlock the door.”

You’re close now to the windows you’ll have to cut through to get into the Sanctum. How do you play it?

> [1] Slow and safe
> [2] Fast and dirty
> [3] Write in

>>44202967
>> [1] Slow and safe

>>44202967
> [1] Slow and safe

>>44202967
>[1] Slow and safe

>>44202967

Taking your time in burning through will mean less repair time needed later. But on the flip side it’ll give Damas more time to take potshots at you. Assuming, of course, that’s his mindset. For all you know he might be panicking and trying to find a way out. Or he could be dead. Or possessed. Or any number of things. Only one way to know for sure.

You secure yourself to the spire with several lines, then withdraw your hellpistol. You set it to a constant burn and apply it to the grand dome that tops the Sanctum. All the while you watch the area where the Navigator’s chair should be. It’s pitch black inside, even with your dark vision. The only positive thing is that your efforts don’t seem to have warranted a response.

The hole’s finished in short order. A howling wind momentarily whooshes past you as the air escapes, only to be cut off by an emergency field. You slip through that with ease, letting your void suit’s grav boots pull you towards the floor. Even now that you’re inside you can’t truly make out much of anything. It’s like a squid left an ink cloud in the air itself. Still you push on, until you finally make out the telltale curve of the Navigator’s chair. Currently the back of it is towards you.

> [1] Announce yourself
> [2] Advance pistol drawn
> [3] Shoot first, ask later
> [4] Write in

>>44203125
> [2] Advance pistol drawn

>>44203125
>> [2] Advance pistol drawn
As much as I want to Han it up, its probably better for our crew relations if we don't. Also isn't this grunt work? why don't we have an Armsman with us?

>>44203183
Probably because the only thing that can really fight a rogue Navigator is another Navigator. Otherwise their Warp Eye would just wipe out whoever else was sent.

>>44203125
>[2] Advance pistol drawn

>>44203125
>Advance pistol drawn

>>44203125
> [2] Advance pistol drawn

>>44203125
> Announce yourself

AVE IMPERATOR

>>44203125
>[4] Write in
Get the doors open first.
The meatshields barging through will attract Damas' attention and give us a better shot.

>>44203214
true, but they could still back us up. ithink

>>44203125

Hellpistol aimed squarely at head-level, you advance. Your boots make an awful amount of noise as you do. Yet there’s still no response from Damas. You pause before rounding the chair proper and take a deep breath. Then you jump in front ready to fire. But as soon as you settle you realize that won’t be necessary.

The wizened Navigator is almost fully integrated into his chair. It’s the eventual fate of all Navigators, like it or not. In a way the sanctum becomes a virtual prison. Or, in Damas’ case, his tomb. The life-sustaining devices seem to have blown out all at once. Except that’s not even the strangest thing. Judging by how decayed his flesh is, he’s probably been dead at least a month. So then how did he speak to you earlier, let alone steer the ship? It’s a mystery you contemplate while you unseal the Sanctum.

The second the doors unlock, two arch militants and the Captain barge in. They take one good look at the chair before rounding on you.

“What in the world did you do to him?” questions one of the militants.

You shake your head. “Nothing. He’s been dead from before I even first stepped foot aboard.”

The trio stare at each other quizzically. Then Hatu says, “I suppose his spirit must have hung on even when his body quit. Damas always was a tenacious bastard. Shame we didn’t get to see him off.”

“So what now?” you ask. “I imagine I’ll have to take his place to get us to Port Goston. But are we even capable of the journey?”

Hatu shrugs. “The cog-boys say ‘maybe.’ My gut tells me we should send an astropathic distress call and wait for rescue. But that could take weeks if not months.”

Which is a problem, considering your window to meet up with the Brazen of Pearl was rather short. Not because they’d get another Navigator besides you, but because Captain Hillbrant wished to be back in the Expanse for some sort of trade. What to do…

> [1] Pray the bucket will hold together and Navigate
> [2] Go with the Captain’s gut
> [3] Write in

>>44203429
>> [1] Pray the bucket will hold together and Navigate
Adventure calls. AND I KNEW HE WAS DEAD BECAUSE HE WAS SO OLD. but then how did he talk to us....... Seriously WTF I'm drawing a blank.

>>44203429
>> [3] Write in
Double check the warp drive to ensure that the gellar field will hold. If so take a chance and navigate.

>>44203429
>[1] Pray the bucket will hold together and Navigate

>>44203502
I mean he could have been possessed or something. Might be worth checking out the chair before we sit in it.

>>44203429
>[1] Pray the bucket will hold together and Navigate

>>44203571
Yes but wouldn't the Astropaths have noticed if it was psychic or warp related in nature? The only thing I can think of is that someone somewhere aboard this ship sabotaged it for some reason. Otherwise its Orks.

>>44203619
Yes and no. If the "thing" is good at hiding they could have failed their opposed rolls. Plus the Sanctum is warded pretty heavily (or is supposed to be). But Orks is a good guess.

>>44203521
Yes, double check the warp.

For those wanting to check the warp, if you could roll me a 1d100 vs a 50

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>44203725

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>44203725

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>44203725

>>44203734
>>44203738
>>44203745
Yeah it's fine. Back in a tic.

>>44203429

You reach up to remove your void suit’s helmet. Then you shake your head to free your hair. “If the Gellar Field will hold I say we take the chance. Although I’ll need a new chair. Damas here seems to be a tad too integrated for me to replace him.”

“Aye. But that shouldn’t be a problem for the cogboys.” says Hatu. “I’ll let you know when it’s ready. For now…”

He turns to face you proper, hand extended. “I suppose I should thank you for everything. Had you not been here it’s likely we’d be truly dead in the water. And by the God Emperor’s grace he’s given us you as a backup Navigator. I know when to count my blessings.”

You let yourself smile at that. “He does work in mysterious ways at times. Praise be to him.”

The next few days pass relatively calmly. By the time the Tech Priest aboard have jury-rigged a new chair for you, most of the damage has either been sealed behind bulkheads or patch-repaired. In addition, the odd cloud that once permeated the Navigator Sanctum has vanished. Or perhaps a better qualifier would be that it followed the old chair out. You and the astropaths looked it over and couldn’t find anything that’d explain it. So said chair has been locked behind countless purity seals in the transport’s hold, with a contingent of voidsmen guarding it round the clock.

Regardless, when you take a seat in the temporary chair you feel a small surge of glee. Even if it’s temporary, you’ve been groomed to absolutely love the experience of Navigating. Now all you have to do is remember your training and use the big skyscraper in the sky to guide this tub home.

> Since this is our first time Navigating we’ll try doing it by the book first. If that doesn’t work I’ll come up with something else. For now, though, 1d100 vs 60

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>44203860

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>44203860
Black cloud huh.

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>44203860
LOW NUMBERS AND LOVELY EMPEROR BEWBIES

>>44203888
>>44203898
>>44203911
Well you passed by two degrees. Which is good because successes/failures compound when Navigating.

In this instance, it means you successfully find the Astronomican. And it means your next roll is against an 80. So another 1d100, if you would.

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>44203956

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>44203956

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>44203956
dey see me raolaan

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>44203956

>>44203973
>>44203979
>>44203981
Further good news! You know all those "potholes" and T-junctions? You see a clear path through them, all the way to your destination.

Now comes your real time to shine. This time you're rolling against a 59 (int+20) to see just how well you can steer while in that temporary chair. Do well enough and you can even arrive before you left!

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>44204023
FOR THE EMPEROR!

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>44204023

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>44204023
Well

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>44204023
MIND THE SIGNS!

File: welp.jpg (11 KB, 261x73)

11 KB JPG

>>44204037

>>44204037
TZEENCH PLS.

>>44204058
Fuck. What would the others have got?

>>44204058
Did you read the if fails part?
We would only be off course if we failed and rolled a 9

>>44204037
>>44204047
>>44204050
Someone's paid attention to their lessons. Now to write all that up in pretty prose. Back shortly!

>>44204058
Key word being "AND" there.

>>44203860

Much like how this voyage started, you open your Warp Eye and immerse yourself in the cityscape. Now that you’re actually in a Sanctum it’s even easier for you to find the light of the Astronomican. The giant skyscraper sheds golden light over your path, illuminating all sources of potential trouble. You’re confident that you can steer through them. There’s just one thing you have to do first: you have to get the transport off of its current reef.

It takes some finesse and careful wiggling back and forth, but sure enough you free the vessel after several hours. Then you speed back along the road towards your destination, Port Goston. By your estimates you’re making great time. Not enough to perform the fabled “arrival before departure,” but something close to it.

You’re so focused on doing a bang up job that you don’t notice the return of the black cloud until it’s filled the entire stretch of air before you. When you take your eyes off of the “road” to look at it, you see a golden, crystalline eye in the middle of it.

> [1] Time for your powers. Lidless Stare it.
> [2] Reach for your pistol
> [3] Try talking to it
> [4] Write in

>>44204219
>Reach for your pistol

>>44204219
> [2] Reach for your pistol
> [3] Try talking to it
fuck off bitch.

>>44204219
> [1] Time for your powers. Lidless Stare it.
perils ho!

>>44204219
>TIME FOR UNLIMITED POWERRRRRR

>>44204373
Benefit of Navigator powers - no perils. Ever.

>>44204373
Would it work? I mean I assume the old navigator would have attempted it. And didn't we check it for psychic activity and turn up nothing? Probably overthinking this.

Rolled 86 (1d100)

I'll combine the two somehow.

In the mean time, if you could roll me a 1d100 vs 46. You'll need to have more degrees of success than my roll here (which is against a hidden value).

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>44204477
Yep real hidden.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>44204477
FOR THE SPACE MARINES!

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>44204477

>>44204487
oh wait Hidden degrees of success right.

>>44204487
>>44204488
>>44204499
Yep that'll do. Back in a bit.

>>44204488
That'll do pig
That will do

>>44204219

You take one hand off of the ship’s controls and reach for you hellpistol on your waist. By the time you’ve brought it to bear, several more crystalline structures have appeared in the cloud. The eye remains the largest. The cloud’s also now emitting a crackling sound that sounds exactly like “zzt-tk-tk-tk.” Some part of you simply recognizes that that is the sound you’re hearing. It’s entirely foreign in nature, alien even. There’s only the smallest shimmer of a Warp presence, which is probably why you overlooked it earlier. Still, with an unknown entity before you you do what comes natural: You unleash hell on two fronts.

The cloud creature reels in shock as you fully open your Warp Eye and expose it to the horrors within. It’s a taxing exercise but well worth the risk of passing out. For now you have the chance to unleash a barrage from your hellpistol. Most of the shots go straight through the darkness to no effect. Those that hit the crystal structures, however, seem to have some weight to them. If you had to qualify it, though, your Warp Eye had a much greater effect.

> [1] Emergency drop from the Warp so you can escape/get help
> [2] Stare at it again
> [3] Keeping firing until your hellpistol runs dry
> [4] Write in

>>44204615
>Emergency drop from the warp so you can get help
>Stare at it while this shit is happening.

>>44204615
Well I'm feeling stupid right now.
> [2] Stare at it again
Hopefully we won't faint.

>>44204615
> [3] Keep firing until your hellpistol runs dry

Rolled 94 (1d100)

I believe staring at it has it by a single vote.

Another 1d100, same DC (46) vs my roll and the hidden DC

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>44204783
JIIII~

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>44204783

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>44204783
Wow, we're getting lucky in terms of that thing getting unlucky

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>44204783
ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO FAIL WITH THESE ODDS!

>>44204795
>>44204804
>>44204809
Squeaking by yet again. Back in a bit!

File: jiiiiiii~.png (736 KB, 1280x720)

736 KB PNG

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>44204783

>>44204499
>>44204809
Twice in a row? Seriously? At least I'm not critfailing and screwing us over, but there's a special kind of indignity when you're off by one.

>>44204615

It occurs to you that this thing must have been what actually killed Damas, appearances to the contrary. If he tried to fight back in his state, especially with his Warp Eye, it’s no wonder he succumbed. A Navigator that old would have only been able to use his powers but so many times before collapsing. You have a similar limit. It’s just that you have the advantage of being relatively young. So you continue to pour every ounce of terror you can into your Warp Eye.

The xenos-thing begins to shriek and shrink as the crystals within the cloud explode and incinerate under your gaze. Only the main eye remains by the time it’s the size of a basketball. You fight back the sudden need for a nap and level your hellpistol at point blank range.

“Not today, xenos.”

Then you fire. The crystalline eye shatters into thousands of pieces as the creature gives off its loudest screech yet. Many of the fragments disintegrate into nothing, but one about the size of your thumb remains inert all said and done. You’re pretty sure you’ve killed it dead.

“Everything alright in there?” asks the voice of the Captain in your ear. “The astropaths are saying they’re hearing gunfire.”

> [1] Everything’s fine (Keep it to yourself)
> [2] Tell him about the creature
> [3] Write in

>>44204952
>[2] Tell him about the creature

>>44204952
>> [2] Tell him about the creature
NO ITS NOT ALL RIGHT.
<pew pew>(gunfiring)
FUCKING XENOS SCUM.

>>44204952
>tell him about the creature

>>44204952
"Xenos. Killed it. It killed Damas. Can I take a nap?"

>>44204952
>[3] We'll talk about it later, guiding the ship now

>>44204952
>[2] Tell him about the creature

>>44204952

“Oh I just had to kill a damned xenos but sure, everything’s fine here. How are you?”

Your sarcasm gives Hatu pause. Or maybe the fact that a xenos was on his vessel does. Either way, he eventually replies, “Well so long as it’s dead. Was it just one? What was it like?”

You continue to fight the urge to rest and return to steering the ship while talking. “It was exactly like that black cloud that hung around the old Navigator chair. Crystalline in nature. It’s probably what actually killed Damas, not old age. No idea if there’s more.”

“Doesn’t ring a bell with me, but I’ll ask my men and see if any know anything. For the time being we’ll scuttle the old chair. Unless you have any objections?”

“Nope. Now hush. I need to focus.”

Thanks to your youthful resilience, you manage to finish navigating the transport to its destination. You give a pronounced sigh of relief when the cityscape outside your Sanctum is replaced by the twinkling dark void of normal space. Now free to move about, you…

> [1] Pick up the single golden fragment
> [2] Crush it
> [3] Leave it there and return to your room

>>44205085
>Pick up the single golden fragment

GOLDEN IS GOOD,

>>44205085
>> [2] Crush it
Theirs already enough scary Xenos in this galaxy.
I would say research it but its the fucking Imperium.
AVE IMPERATOR

>>44205085
>Pick up the single golden fragment
Depending on what the rogue trader is like, it might be a good gift for them. Just figure out what their stance is on xenos curiosities first.

>>44205085
>> [1] Pick up the single golden fragment

>>44205085
>[2] Crush it
Smash it in the name of the Emperor and file a report to Ordo Xenos. And get a shotgun up here.

>>44205112
This is actually a pretty good idea. Just find out what it is first.

[1] it is. Back in a bit!

>>44205146
>And get a shotgun up here.
This is even better idea. Supporting. Maybe with some inferno ammo or something in addition to that.

>>44205085

...reach down and carefully prod the golden fragment. It doesn’t burst back to life, cause you to burst into flames, or anything else of that nature. Tentatively you pick it up and pocket it. You’ll have to find a purity-seal-laden case to keep it in, but that shouldn’t be too hard. Sure enough, one’s delivered to your stateroom while you sleep off the fatigue from both navigating and fighting. You figure it’ll be a good gift for Captain Hillbrant. Assuming he enjoys xenos trinkets, that is.

The time it takes your transport to fly the distance from the Warp exit point to Port Goston passes uneventfully. Which is fine by you really. More time to rest and resume your studies of the Brazen of Pearl. When you finally dock with the station, you’re one of the first off the boat. But not before Hatu’s imparted a bottle of M36 Chateau. A “good luck charm from a good year,” he says. You’ve never really had liquor before so you’ll have to take his word for it.

Navigating Port Goston is somehow harder than navigating a starship. You’d think the main headquarters of Battlefleet Calixis would have a more intuitive layout. But instead it’s a myriad of twisting corridors that tend to double back on themselves. Really the only reason you manage to find your way to the dock where you’re supposed to meet Captain Hillbrant is because your remaining bodyguard “had a hunch it was this way.”

At the dock itself is the Brazen of Pearl. Several connecting tunnels and tendrils pass between ship and pier, each having its own unknown purpose. You suppose the one leading up to near the bridge would be a good place to start. Or perhaps it’d be better to meet the Captain outside of the ship?

> [1] Head inside
> [2] See about sending a message to him that you’re here
> [3] Find a bar nearby, then call up the Captain. He is an RT after all...

>>44205256
>Send a message
>Head inside

>>44205269
yeah second this, we are a navigator after all. Although we don't know what happed to their previous navigator. Also lets hope he is the fun kind of Rogue trader and not the annoying kind.

>>44205282
Annoying kind meaning?

>>44205256
>[3] Find a bar nearby, then call up the Captain. He is an RT after all...

>>44205290
The fat idiotic self entitled one.

>>44205300
Dude...we dream of a the man on your description. Emperor damned this prophetic dream

File: Ships.jpg (171 KB, 1343x375)

171 KB JPG

[1] with [2] I think. Back in a bit!

BTW I meant to drop this wayyyy back when you guys were picking ships. Just so you know what you're looking at (sort of).

>>44205322
Damn. Whats the point of working for a Rogue trader whose more of a trader than a rogue?

>>44205269
Yeah, I'll support this one.

>>44205353
we should have gone with the fourth option. Sure we would have been playing second fiddle with another navigator. But as we've just seen a spare is always helpful.

>>44205256

On your way up to the bridge umbilical you end up passing through several security checkpoints. Really they’re more like mini Administratum outposts trying to keep track of everyone coming aboard and going ashore. You’re given an eager look as you approach by one of Adepts.

“Ahhh, and you must be our new Navigator!” he shouts. “Welcome, welcome. If you’d like to head inside the Captain is waiting for you. Percy here can show you the way”

Well that makes it easy. You bow your head respectfully and allow yourself to be escorted by a voidsman into the Brazen of Pearl. Much to your surprise, the corridors are almost spotless. And not just because your guide is taking you through the “good” parts of the vessel. Hillbrant must run a tight crew. That or he’s one of those ex-Navy Rogue Traders that expect excellence in all things. Your musings are answered when you reach the Captain’s Office, just off of the main bridge.

Hillbrant, if you had to guess, is somewhere in the ballpark of 165 years old. He certainly doesn’t look a day over 170. A head taller than you with ashen hair, he’s sporting an average build beneath a well-pressed, white uniform and fur coat.

“Ah, you must be Miss Senka,” he says, standing and motioning at the chairs before his desk. “Come come, sit. I’m sure you have many questions.”

Your guide slips out as you take a seat across from Hillbrant. Once you’re seated, he looks at you expectantly.

> [1] Ask about the last Navigator
> [2] Butter him up by starting off with the Xenos Artifact
> [3] Same, but with the bottle of M36 instead
> [4] Ask about his expectations

>>44205367
More importantly grand cruisers are badass. It might even have a nova cannon! It probably would've gotten my vote if I'd been here at the start.

But the Star Galleon is a fine ship too, and we'll be relatively more important.

>>44205424
>[4] Ask about his expectations

>>44205424
>> [4] Ask about his expectations
we can ask the other things later after.
>>44205433
Same and True.

>>44205424
>Ask about his expectations

>>44205424
>Ask about his Expectations
>Offer him the BOX OF MYSTREY

>>44205424
>> [3] Same, but with the bottle of M36 instead
>> [4] Ask about his expectations

>>44205424

You decide that knowing what’s expected of you comes first. When you ask Hillbrant such he smiles.

“I’d say that largely depends on you. Of course I expect you to do your absolute best in guiding us between the stars. But outside of that? It depends on how social you feel like being. Our last Navigator was quite the recluse. Hardly ever saw her outside her Sanctum. A shame, but I suppose that’s just how you Navigators are eh?”

He’s not entirely wrong. You could very easily hide away in the Sanctum until you die, much like Damas did. But if you did that you wouldn’t exactly be representing House Girad all that well. Fame and influence won’t come to you if you just sit there.

“If your crew won’t take issue with me walking the corridors without an escort I see no reason why I couldn’t be moderately social,” you answer. This seems to again please Hillbrant.

“Wonderful. I’ll see to it that you’re given a schedule of all the officer events. Feel free to drop in on any of them, especially dinners. Aside from that... “ He casts around for the right words. “I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what the Expanse has to offer us. Who knows? Maybe I’ll need you along with me on a few negotiations?”

He laughs jovially, then shakes his head. “Ah but I’m getting ahead of myself. I suppose I should tell you up front that we tend to deal heavily with Xenos. Our warrant of trade is rather interesting in that we’re allowed to procure all sorts of technology for study by certain parts of the Mechanicus. In return we’re given access to quite a few fun toys and only a passing glance from the Inquisition.”

> [1] “Sounds pretty good. So why did you old navigator leave?”
> [2] “Xenos eh? I may have something for you then…”
> [3] Let him keep talking

>>44205534
>> [1] “Sounds pretty good. So why did you old navigator leave?”
>> [2] “Xenos eh? I may have something for you then…”

>>44205534
>> [1] “Sounds pretty good. So why did you old navigator leave?”
>> [2] “Xenos eh? I may have something for you then…”
but if he has anything else to say let him keep talking.
I think my fears on his rogue trader attitude have been temporarily abated.

>>44205534
>[2] “Xenos eh? I may have something for you then…”

>>44205534
> [2] “Xenos eh? I may have something for you then…”

>>44205534
>> [2] “Xenos eh? I may have something for you then…”

Knocking out [2] first, then [1] I suppose. Back in a bit!

>>44205534

“Xenos, eh? I might have something for you then.”

Hillbrant raises an eyebrow as you rummage around in your pack and produce the purity-seal laden box. You open it and slide it halfway across the desk. This produces a whistle from the Captain.

“I’m just guessing here, but that almost looks like it’s part of a Yu’Vath Crystalwisp. How in the world did you come across it?”

Neither identifier sticks out to you. You studied archeotech, not xenos! Still, the chance to recount your slaying of the creature puts you in good spirits.

“...good lord, you mean to say you mentally wrestled with a being infamous for wiping minds?” says Hillbrant. “If even a quarter of that is true I’m beyond impressed. And not just because this little crystal alone will pay for all our expenses for the next six months.”

You blanch. “It’s THAT valuable?”

He nods. “Indeed. The Mechanicus love trying to pull information out of these things. They’ve never managed to do so as far as I know, but that doesn’t stop them trying. All in all, a very impressive way to get my attention and my respect.”

You try not to wear your pride on your collar. “I’m glad it’s to your liking. But don’t expect me to always bring you gifts like this. I do have my own sanity and wellbeing to watch out for, after all.”

“Of course, of course. But I’m guessing you’ve held back asking the important question for good reason.”

“Right. What happened to your last Navigator? Did she leave? Die? Something worse?”

Hillbrant’s upbeat attitude fades slightly as he frowns. “My understanding was she was called back to her House for internal matters. But what actually happened was the Inquisition purged both her and her entire family.”

> cont

>>44205695

You nod thoughtfully. “Ah, she hailed from a Renegade House then. A pity. Still, I want to assure you you won’t have a problem with House Girad or with me.”

“Excellent. Well if that’s all, I’ll show you your Sanctum and your quarters.”

The overall tour takes the better part of an hour. The Sanctum’s pretty standard, though it is much larger than the one on the transport vessel you came in on. If you so desired you could probably set up a suite of sorts in here and still have room left over. As for your quarters, they are an actual suite with all the amenities. You share the deck with the Head of the Astropathic Choir, Keyes, and an Explorator, Forgal. Neither is present during the tour but Hillbrant makes sure you know which neighboring doors are theirs.

“And with that I’m afraid I’ve run out time,” remarks Hillbrant as he steps into threshold of your suite. “If you need anything just call. I’ve told my bridge crew to give you as much help as needed to get acclimated.”

> [1] Thank him
> [2] Bow and thank him
> [3] REALLY bow and thank him

>>44205703
>Thank him
We just paid for the next 6 months, No need to bow.

>>44205703
>[2] Bow and thank him

>>44205703
>[2]bow and thank him.

PROFESSIONALISM AHOY

>>44205703
>Bow and thank him
We got off on the right foot, but he's still our captain

>>44205703
>> [2] Bow and thank him
Lets be polite. Snarky, but polite.

>>44205703


As has been drilled into you since your teenage years, you give the Lord Captain a respectful bow. “Thank you, Sir.”

He chuckles and starts walking back towards the bridge. “Please, I like to keep things informal between my officers. Still, I think you’re going to fit in well around here.”

You hold the bow until he’s out of sight. Then you relax and shut your door. It’s been a taxing two weeks since you left Kessae. But what truly matters is that you’ve made a phenomenal first impression on your new Captain. It’s sure to gain Girad some favor down the line, if not with House Hillbrant then with the Mechanicus. All you have to do now is navigate properly and make sure to be seen. Simple enough, right?

Well even if it wasn’t, that’s a future-Senka problem. Current-you is going to explore whether or not those sheets are actually satin.

> Housekeeping next post

So yeah. I thought playing a Navigator of all things might be interesting since I've never been in an RT game where the Navigator was an actual PC. Gives us all a character to live vicariously through.

I'll do these a couple of times a week if there's interest, probably Tuesdays/Thursday around 7pm EST. Maybe weekends depending on my schedule. I do have the All Sisters Party to GM for, after all.

Twitter's @elhmk1

Annndd I think that's it for now! Thanks for being here!

>>44205809
Thanks for running looks fun.