>>2084304
Yo.

Just how incriminating is the information we now have on Nestus Margon? And how incriminating are Deidara Ursus' regular deliveries of spook and occult paraphernalia?

Also a couple of threads ago we were considering constructing a Spy Den for 20w:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1998427/#p1999332
Can we proceed with this?

>>2084321
agree on spy den but keep it small and relativly hidden, to not attract too much attention. And the attention they attract should be directed at small and unimportant

>>2084348
forgot. should also not be directly associated with GoR if possible

>>2084351
>>2084348
>>2084321
I like it, make it so.
But ensure that nobody else gets the recruits there or we might just fuck ourselves over by creating new threats for enemies to use.

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>>2084321
Incriminating evidence:

Nestus Margon - very serious, most likely would result in his execution if publicised, Adeptus Arbites doesn't look upon that kind of activities kindly

Deidara Ursus - no real evidence, you only realise that these are meant for her because you have a lot of circumatantial leads pointing to her and her coven

>>2084348
>>2084351
>>2084362
Spy Den - yes, just clarify where exactly you want to establish it, I assume somewhere in Tachion Primaris, correct? Also you need to decide whether it's overt or cover.

Overt:
Pros: No need to worry about the Arbites, Inquisition, etc.
Cons: Enemies would able to find it easily

Covert:
Pros: Hidden from the sight of everyone, more efficient actions when taken from this base of operations
Cons: Eventually will be discovered by the Imperial counterintelligence services and your people will have to flee

+++
COUP UPDATE
+++
-Situation: Status Quo
-Establishment is unaware of the coup
-Conspirators are a little anxious, but loyal
-5 Factions in favour of coup
-Larion Ursus: Alive, in control
+++
Imperial counter intelligence: roll d100.

>>2084391
>Covert:
>Pros: Hidden from the sight of everyone, more efficient actions when taken from this base of operations
>Cons: Eventually will be discovered by the Imperial counterintelligence services and your people will have to flee

Is discovery a certainty? Either way I think we should go covert.

>>2084391
>I assume somewhere in Tachion Primaris, correct?
somewhere far away. preferably a planet that has both dense city and agricultural parts so the spies get training in different environments

>>2084406
I'd say Sarris V. Major civilised world with urban and countryside.

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>>2084394
It is statistically. It could be a few years or it could be a few centuries, but if you create a secret organisation in a totalitarian police state, you will be discovered. That's also the reason why your spy networks deteriorate - your agents are getting constantly intercepted by the Imperial authorities. And even when you bail them out, their cover is compromised...

+++

Also, you have met with the Merchant League. Please follow through with your decision.
---
The man who accepts the payment disgusts you, he is hunched, overweight, his teeth are yellow and the flesh around his augmentations seems to be rotting. And yet, the man is one of the richest men in the Sector, a representative of the trade lords that buy and sell whole worlds at their whim, Lord Barnabus Brumm.
>Milord, the League is pleased. We will make sure that your plans... Proceed without any interruptions on our behalf. Trade will continue, food shipments will arrive as they did before, daily life will continue as if nothing happened. Unless you want something to happen, that is...

You know that this man will do anything for money. Will you stoop down to his level and haggle with him? [roll d100 if you do]

>>2084406
>>2084410
Sarris V will be very complicated due to the heavy presence of the Judges. It will cost extra 10W and the chance of eventual discovery will be greater, also you will produce less spies. However those that will come out will be of better quality. Do you wish to proceed?

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>2084421
>Sarris V will be very complicated due to the heavy presence of the Judges. It will cost extra 10W and the chance of eventual discovery will be greater, also you will produce less spies. However those that will come out will be of better quality. Do you wish to proceed?

Alternate choice. Nymeria.
Lots of traffic around the capital, lots of strangers. Urban environment.
Also large areas of countryside.

>You know that this man will do anything for money. Will you stoop down to his level and haggle with him? [roll d100 if you do]
I would personally say pay the wealth for the support of the merchant league. We can use their leverage to help influence other factions too, and any potentially rebellious planets.


Rolling for Imperial Spies.

>>2084428
Changing my vote for Spy Den location to TARTARUS.

>>2084440
>>2084421
What are the pros and cons of tartarus btw?

>>2084440
>>2084421
can we get some info on what might be pos and cons regarding tartarus

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>>2084428
Coup remains a secret. For now.

+++

>Pleasure doing business with you, Chapter Master.
Barnabus Brumm smiles at you.
>I sincerely hope this change in management will not affect the economic situation in the Sector. You can count on the Merchant Lords to support or at least not interfere with your plans... Also, I know that your brotherhood has close ties with the Nestorian priesthood... I have a suspicion that technomages might find my services valuable as well, but they are notoriously arrogant towards us simple business people. Would you mind introducing me to the Fabricator General of Nestorium? It would be a great honour and I would make sure that your time is adequately compensated! I do happen to have this nice piece of real estate on one of Kinteran beaches, almost a small palace, but in my age I don't use it that often and I was just looking for someone to take care of it... To be honest I even have no idea if Astartes ever leave their suits of armour, but it has a lovely pool on the roof!

Do you agree to introduce Brumm of the Merchant League to Nestorium? If you do, roll d100

Brumm's villa is extravagantly decadent example of Kinteran architecture, it has 24 bedrooms, five floors, seven towers, over a dozen indentured servants and handmaidens. On the market after all of the taxes it would be worth about 20+d10W. Or you could keep it as an asset for the Chapter.

>>2084475
>Do you agree to introduce Brumm of the Merchant League to Nestorium? If you do, roll d100
ask nestorium what they think.
we can hint that ties to the merchants might be good given their ...disagreement... with mars

>>2084475
Agree with
>>2084482

If Regon thinks a union with merchants would help his credibility then it would be good.

Also I think final decision. Spy Den on Tartarus. Minimal (preferably no) links to the Chapter. Maximum deniability. Yes?

>>2084487
>>2084482
>>2084467
>>2084463
>>2084440
Tartarus is a non-Imperial location, which to certain extent will complicate deployment of spies to other locations, but otherwise it should be a reasonably good location. If you are sure that you want to do this, please roll d100.

Also, if you will start asking Nestorium about Merchant League, that will count as introduction (only a very poor one).

>>2084492
>Also, if you will start asking Nestorium about Merchant League, that will count as introduction (only a very poor one).
In that case I'm in favour of gently explaining to Brumm that the Nestorians are notoriously insular and we'd rather keep things as stable as possible at the moment. However once the current situation is resolved and things start to stabilise, and total secrecy is no longer paramount, we'd be happy to introduce them.

Yes/no?

Also:
I propose we blackmail Nestus Margon. As a High Judge is he capable of accessing datalogs we can't? Such as astropathic messages sent from the palace?

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>2084475
>o you agree to introduce Brumm of the Merchant League to Nestorium? If you do, roll d100
Since we went for it, roll

>>2084502
>I propose we blackmail Nestus Margon. As a High Judge is he capable of accessing datalogs we can't? Such as astropathic messages sent from the palace?
Blackmail is fun.

>>2084521
>>2084502
>>2084492
Idea then. Can we blackmail Margon to get more concrete evidence that Deidara is ordering spook & occult materials?

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>2084492
rolling for setting up the spy den

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Soulchange conferences are always weird. Due to the complexity of setting them up, toll it takes on the Astropaths and just general sense of unease you have when communicating with a bunch of what are effectively possessed psykers, such meetings are rare. However in some cases, such as preparing to overthrow the government of an Imperial Sector, they are necessary. Around the table sit members of the Astropathic Choir, with Nerial right in front of you, he's acting as the coordinator for the effort. You know that around the Sector there are six other rooms such as this. It took almost half a year to wait for suitable warp conditions for the Astropaths to establish a stable, safe, secure and secret channel that would allow for what passes as real time interstellar communication. In reality it is not, Nerial tried to explain it to you, but it's complicated. For example you know, that Amelia Engel had this conversation with you about 3 weeks ago in her own strain of real time. But it makes no difference, what matters is that you get a chance to finally get all of the coup plotters together into a single room. Well, sort of. They are represented in front of you by possessed drooling psykers, that mimick the words and facial expressions that have happened or will happen in the future light years away. You know that Nerial also bonded in the same way with you and he's also transmitting your words in the aether, where six other astropaths pick them up and relay them to their masters.

Here they are, sitting in front of you, possessed forms, wrapped in wires and holo-lights, names and images of the represented persona's glowing in the air above the psykers.

>Lord Inquisitor Thomas Garant
>Fabricator General Regon
>Lord Admiral Tyrel Hagen
>Canoness Preceptor Amelia Engel
>Merchant Lord Barnabus Brumm
>Chief Judge Belgen Heliostramus

Nerial lifts his empty eyes at you and mechanically intones:
>Connection established. Expected duration before the next flow disruption 37.5 Terran minutes. You may talk now.

+++

You got these individuals to sit down around a table and consider what under Lex Imperialis passes as treachery against Imperium (even an Arbitrator and a Sister of Battle at that). However up to this point you spoke to them individually. You know that some of them are not too fond of each other, most likely there are some old rivalries and conflicting interests buried among them. What will you tell them?

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Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>2084516
Meeting went well, you introduced Brumm to Regon and apparently they have already agreed on some shipping contract. The estate is yours, do you want to sell it off or keep it? You can convert it into another Spy Den for mere 1W if you wish, it already has most of the prerequisites and selling the golden decorations from half of the rooms inside will be enough to cover most of the costs.

>>2084521
>>2084540
I will need you to describe to me how exactly you do that. My general assumption would be that you do it through a hired scumbag.

>>2084557
Counter roll.

>>2084566
I'd rather we organise using Margon to get more concrete evidence of Deidara herself ordering the spook & occult materials, before conferencing with the other members.

>>2084573
>I will need you to describe to me how exactly you do that. My general assumption would be that you do it through a hired scumbag.
I guess an agent should approach Margon with copies of the evidence we have.
Margon needs to give us clear records or photographic/audio proof of Deidara asking for spook & occult materials.

>>2084573
Another question. Has Hagen appointed any clear successor to the Lord Admiral position should he be killed? Are any of the Admirals a clear and obvious successor? Who decides the new Lord Admiral if there's no clearly stated successor?

>>2084580
That's fine, we can assume that your ploy to blackmail him takes place before the conference.
>>2084580
Is everyone happy with blackmailing Nestus?

>>2084566
>What will you tell them?
ask what they have found out, as we have told them our findings

>>2084566
We should ask the leaders present a few things.

1. Do they have any methods or ideas for leveraging the other three factions? The merchant league has a lot of economic sway.

2. What do they know about the styrian triarchy.

3. Their own knowledge on Larion & Deidara Ursus. Do any of them have more information on what Deidara does when she goes to other planets? The Merchant League must have people on those planets. The Arbites must have Arbitrators who know something.

>>2084585
>Is everyone happy with blackmailing Nestus?
No blackmailing for now I think actually.

Some questions for our people infiltrated into his network.

Does he have any contact at all with Larion Ursus?
Does he have a strange ring and girlfriend from the Ursus court?
How much does he actually know about what he's smuggling and trading?

How do our agents think we can turn Margon onto our side and allow us to control the spook trade?

Does Margon have the authority to tie up practically anyone in judicial litigation? Could he summon Drakkon Ursus and lock him in a trial for a duration? Would it be 'better' coming from Margon rather than Chief Judge Heliostramus?

>>2084646
>Does he have any contact at all with Larion Ursus?
Yes, he is a regular guest at the court both for official and personal visits.
>Does he have a strange ring and girlfriend from the Ursus court?
He has a few rings, but nothing with a psychic signature, like the ones you suspect to be used to influence Honour Guard marines. You know though that he has some strong feelings for one of the ladies of the court... Certain Anastasia Belladon.
>How much does he actually know about what he's smuggling and trading?
He seems to be very well aware of what he's trading in, he even sometimes gives specific instructions to his henchmen.
>How do our agents think we can turn Margon onto our side and allow us to control the spook trade?
He seems to be very deep in this, most likely that would be possible only under threat. The question is whether he will buckle under blackmail.
>Could he summon Drakkon Ursus and lock him in a trial for a duration?
Technically yes, practically it would require him to have a good cause and do quite a bit of legwork because of the unofficial weight that Drakkon has. He could just go by the book and lock him up, but that would mean the end of his career, possible prosecution later on and Drakkon would be free within 48 hours by Lation Ursus getting his fist down. Unless decision of Arbitrators as a whole rather than an individual High Judge, Drakkon will walk. Heliostramus would be in a better position to do it, but it could still prove problematic.

>>2084622
Am I ok then to answer these questions, if you are not taking any other actions before the conference?

>>2084670
>Am I ok then to answer these questions, if you are not taking any other actions before the conference?
I believe so yes, and this >>2084614
thank you

>>2084622
Chapter Master decides that it's not worth wasting time, quickly introduces all of the plotters to each other and then proceeds to discuss the details.
>Do they have any methods or ideas for leveraging the other three factions?
-Judge Heliostramus believes that no more factions should be included, because chance of the plot being discovered will increase.
-Inquisitor Garant says that getting the support of the Imperial Guard would be good, however with Drakkon at the helm it is impossible. You think that he's implying some darker methods of operation, but he doesn't pursue the idea. Alternatively Nobility could be a great asset, Inquisition has a lot of dirty materials on them, we could force their cooperation. However whether unwilling ally is useful is a good question.
-Regon remains silent.
- Canoness Engel expresses interest in getting Ecclesiarchy onboard despite it's previous conflicts with the Chapter. She says that priests are often cowardly and it will take some convincing, but once the coup is launched she could make a case to Astrobelus Kest directly to at least remain neutral. However meeting them halfway and offering Ecclesiarchy something might be worth it.
-Barnabus Brumm is fine with involving Ecclesiarchy only if no new taxes are introduced to build even more of 'their already oversized' churches, a small argument erupts with Engel
-Admiral Hagen doesn't trust Nobility not to let plans of the coup slip their lips - they are too disorganised

>>2084622
What do they know about the styrian triarchy?


Fabricator General Regon
>Their usage of unsanctioned technology makes them an unpredictable opponent. Rushing into their traps should be avoided.
Lord Admiral Tyrel Hagen
>I don't think we've seen the full extent of this threat. Triarchy is definitely trying to meddle in the Imperial politics.
Canoness Preceptor Amelia Engel
>Heretics.
Merchant Lord Barnabus Brumm
>They are dangerous to the merchant shipping, while officially there's nothing happening between Imperium and Triarchy, ship go missing constantly near their space. They have a sizeable force of raiders, or at least that's what Merchant League suspects.
Chief Judge Belgen Heliostramus:
>Primary threat to the Sector. Remember, you promised that we will retake Kruun.
Lord Inquisitor Thomas Garant.
>My perception of them is that they are seeking to maintain status quo with the Imperium, at least for now. I consider them to be of secondary importance, compared with some other threats, but the possibility of them infiltrating Imperial Court on Tachion Primaris is much more dangerous than Inquisition originally assessed.

>>2084622
Knowledge on Larion & Deidara Ursus (this comes a few months later as after you express your suspicions all of the factions use their own capabilities to look into the issue).


Fabricator General Regon
>Our records show some very suspicious purchases of quite specialised holy electronics that seem to have been done through the same network that you claim Nestus Margon is running. They are quite versatile and could be used for any kind of cogitator-like machines, but it seems that purchases were much much bigger than anything just the palace machine priests would need. We suspect that they were shipped to the Triarchy.
Lord Admiral Tyrel Hagen
>Unfortunately I am confined to Mormark and my agents didn't produce much results on this.
Canoness Preceptor Amelia Engel
>We do not have a spy network. Yes, I am serious.
Merchant Lord Barnabus Brumm
>I have followed the money and it seems that lady Ursus has... Well, how to put it. Unlimited funds. Among her titles she's also the Court Exchequer and apparently has been granted unlimited access to the Imperial treasury.
Chief Judge Belgen Heliostramus:
>In two past years Ursus counter-intelligence network was strengthened five-fold. While my sources indicate that they are not aware of the coup, they sure are getting suspicious for some reason. I think the more actions we will take against them, the more suspicious they will get. We need to be economical with how much we snoop around them.
Lord Inquisitor Thomas Garant.
>I have already shared information that's available to me. Currently we are building a case against Deidara... We suspect her to be a strong psyker, leaning towards the Telepathic discipline, but most likely not limited to it. She's either controlling her husband or working as partners with him, either way he's not interfering at all with whatever they are doing. I am interested whether they have any end goal apart from increasing their influence over the Sector. I don't believe them to be under Triarchy's control, merely allies. How close, that's another question.

///

It's getting late, so I'll finish here today, but please post more questions/instructions to your allies, I'll write up replies for the next time or maybe post them here.

I will most likely be away for holiday next Sunday, so next game might take place on Thursday 23rd November at 7-8 PM. About 50% chance. If not, then Friday after that - 1st of December. Monitor Chapter Quest wiki for updates.

Last thing. That Spy Den you established on Tartarus reports that the ship that engaged you off Kruun is docked in Tartarus.

>>2084796
>>2084791
Thanks Skargan.
Session archived:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Ghosts%20of%20Retribution

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>>2084791
>Canoness Preceptor Amelia Engel
>>We do not have a spy network. Yes, I am serious.
What about your Sister Famulous contacts? Do they know anything?

>>2084573

Wait, why was this made on a forgeworld? Forgeworlds are for Adaptus Mechanicus production lines, this should have been the product of the more limited industry available on some shrineworld.

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>>2084791
Some ideas for actions the other factions can take prior to and during the coup itself:


Have SoB do what they can to run interference with ecclesiarchy when coup occurs or get more support from certain parts of the eclesiarchy.

Inquisition can tie up Ursus supporters on Tachion Primaris with investigations or get palace intel or insiders for us when enacting the coup.

For the Navy, can Hagen put known Ursus loyalists on assignment and away?

Arbiters could perhaps work with the merchants to isolate the palace. Cause some “riots” or havoc so the arbiters can lock down paths and access to the palace?

Admech we might want them to assist securing Ursus with forces, tech or see what intel they can get us from Tachion Primaris as well. I’m sure they have lots of info for parts of the palace and hive. Might be able to smuggle some men in.