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Correct link for the last session:
>>4388224

+++

Tempestos, one of the best Chaplains in the whole Chapter, has requested your permission for penance to redeem himself for his actions on Xataria during the battle with the Chaos Defiler. Chapter Master deals with him fairly:
>"Brother, you have been one of my most stalwart of marines. You fought by my side on Farness Beta, and you have borne your duties as Chaplain with the utmost of skill and honour. You have banished a powerful daemon of the warp. No small feat. A feat worthy of commendation. But your own soul is in your keeping and yours alone. If this is what you feel you must do, I shall not stop you. I only ask you keep me informed of your intentions and whereabouts, and hope that one day you will return to us an even better Astartes to again bear the symbols of the Chaplains' office."

Tempestos is extremely grateful for your words, but he does feel, that he needs to make himself pure again. The manner is however still up for debate. He offers a few options:
> Find the Third Company and join their penitence (he would do his best to find them and remain with them until the end of their penitence).
> Guard the Grave (A decade serving on the ships and worlds guarding the Grave)
> Hunt the Darkness (Seek out entrance to Commoragh, the dark capital of the Drukhari)

Which one shall you choose for him?

>>4432230
>> Hunt the Darkness (Seek out entrance to Commoragh, the dark capital of the Drukhari)

>>4432230
>Guard the Grave (A decade serving on the ships and worlds guarding the Grave)
Keeps him relatively close and could help keep the region more stable.

Also when our marines regroup with the Silent Guardians afterwards (I assume they were off fighting other elements of the Chaosites). We should ask them what they did with Dercius D'anger and his properties - particularly his flagship. Most importantly, I'm interested to know if they've kept him alive. They only 'claimed' they executed him all those years ago.

I'm hoping that the Silent Guardians will be a bit forthcoming since we've come to help them without hesitation. If Akarmos seems in a good mood maybe just ask about about Silencius as well. Just ask him if he knows anything about the 'MIA' chapter master.

Meanwhile
>Tartarus: Over the coming months the Revenants and our Tartarus infiltration net should be keeping up updated in how the Tartaran politics changes. What captain or captains fills the vacuum left by Alepros. Where did Alepros' assets go, etc. But most critically they should be looking for news of Tesalia D'anger and/or Deidara Ursus.

>>4432230
>> Find the Third Company and join their penitence (he would do his best to find them and remain with them until the end of their penitence).
Its probably a good idea to have someone we can trust (somewhat) to have an eye on them should they return to the fold. Also he might be able to help them.

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>>4432230
>> Find the Third Company and join their penitence (he would do his best to find them and remain with them until the end of their penitence).
Clearly.

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>>4432247
Silent Guardians are very pleased with your help on Xataria. Indeed as you have suspected, they are much more open to cooperation than they were previously. Akarmos is happy to confirm that they destroyed D'Anger's flagship and they believe that he perished as a result of it as well, a just punishment for his numerous transgressions against the Forbidden Worlds. However when asked about Silencius, Akarmos becomes more reserved.
> We hope that he will return to us soon, one way or the other.


>>4432256
>>4432249
>>4432247
>>4432239

After some consideration you decide that the most appropriate punishment for the Chaplain will be to pursue and join the Third Company. It has been decades since they left the Chapter. You hope Tempestos will either find them and help them complete their penitence or at least bring news of their situation. In the worst case if he perishes, he will at least redeem his own sins.

Roll d100 to find the Third Company (Target 45)
Roll d100 for Danger (Target 50)
Roll d100 for Faith (Target 85)

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>4432277
>Roll d100 to find the Third Company (Target 45)

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>4432277
Rollan Danger.

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>4432277
Roll d100 for Faith (Target 85)
here we go again

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>4432277
Roll d100 for Faith (Target 85)

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Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>4432277
>Akarmos is happy to confirm that they destroyed D'Anger's flagship and they believe that he perished as a result of it as well
So they didn't confirm the body or anything? They just blew up his flagship once he had been ambushed? Damn. Ask Akarmos:
"Did you recover anything of the D'anger's property or were there any escape pods jettisoned brother?"

>Roll d100 for Faith (Target 85)
Rolling

>>4432290
>brother?"
Cousin. Their daddy's the Lion.

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>>4432284
>>4432287
>>4432288
>>4432289
Tempestos will be greatly tempted and tested during his penance, however in the end he will overcome his doubts and eventually return safe and sound to the Chapter. Unfortunately he will not be able to find the third company but you will experience numerous challenges and dangers on the way. During his penance he will be taken prisoner and serve on slave galleys for a number of years. He will free himself and on the world Rodar will help build a chapel which is still attended by pilgrims to this day. Most famously he will become known for leading a rebellion on Moris VIII and banishing the Pale King. While almost dead from the wounds received there, he will receive vision from the Emperor, allowing him to return home, to the Chapter, if it is still there by then.

He will return after many years.
[Roll d10 + 6d + d3]

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>4432312
Rollan the d3

>>4432312
what do you mean with 6d?
1d6?
6d6?

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>4432312
then i will be guilty for the d10

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4432312

>>4432322
>09/01/20(Tue)22:52:26
>>4432321
>09/01/20(Tue)22:52:26
Literally the same second.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>4432312
>6d

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>>4432299
>>4432290
>We have not been able to confirm his death, however no escape pods have been detected. He are sure that he is dead.

+Tartarus+
>Alepros' assets
Alepros' precious assets have been divided among the lower ranking lieutenants, mercenaries and other lackeys. These are the kind of people that normally benefit from when the leader disappears and the assumed that the goods are theirs for the taking. You could confiscate these assets from them and get a substantial sum. On the other hand you could try to ensure their compliance or maybe even loyalty and instead maintain status quo - let them keep their trinkets. What will you choose?
>Claim the assets, damn those pirates
>Keep calm, no need for further aggravation

+Tesalia D'Anger and Deidara Ursus+
While there are many rumours about what has happened to the famous ladies, the truth is not really clear. The main theory is that they have escaped to the Styrian Triarchy and are plotting there against the Space Marines. However according to some beggar from the Lower Docks, he has seen Deidara herself visiting Tartarus in preparation for her trip to Tachion Primaris, where she intends to assassinate Lord Sector Governor Gration himself. This does not seem very plausible, but the other stories are even more wild. For example one of them claims that Tesalia has barely escaped Imperial Navy and is currently on route to Commorragh, where she will seek the help of the damned Chaos Space Marines. Naturally, you know that there aren't many traitors in Commorragh, but the pirates will believe anything after a few drinks. What is truth will be for you to judge.

+Tartarus politics+
With Alepros gone, the station is plunged into political chaos, which will continue for some time until some sort of status quo will emerge. Roll d5:
1. A new leader takes Alepros' place
2. An outside force moves in
3. A puppet-leader is put forward
4. A pirate democracy emerges
5. Violence escalates

>>4432316
1d6

>>4432334
>Keep calm, no need for further aggravation
I'm primarily interested in who's claimed his lunar-class cruiser.

>Tesalia D'Anger and Deidara Ursus
Am I to understand then that Tesalia is being openly hunted by the Imperial Navy? She's been declared fugitive?

>>4432327
>>4432321
>>4432322
>>4432315
1+1+((5+10):2) = 10 years

Rolled 5 (1d5)

>>4432334
>d5

>>4432337
>She's been declared fugitive?
Not to your knowledge. Also remember, that a Rogue Trader does not need to be a fugitive to want to avoid encounters with the Imperial Navy, even when with benign intentions. Starched collars don't take too kindly to the free spirits.

>Cruiser
It has departed the station in the direction of the Triarchy, together with the other pirates that have scrambled to get away further from the station. Would you like to send someone in pursuit immediately after the mission?

>>4432347
Tartarus is truly worthy of its name. No enlightened leader came to take up Alepros' place and everything goes sideways. Rival gangs and pirate clans now control different parts of the station and it does not have a centralised authority. Sometimes, patchwork coalitions are formed to address major issues, but generally it is complete bedlam.

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>>4432350
Hmmm interesting.

As far as I know the only remaining expected thing is Silencius' arrival to Tartarus and our team there apprehending him.

Beyond that we should start looking towards the reclamation of Kruun. Our Strike Cruiser Pax Sepulchrum has been patrolling the area for over 5 years now, have they anything to report on the general traffic to/from Kruun?
Is it still way down after Vice Admiral Van Daur destroyed their small defensive fleet?

Can you please clarify what forces do you have stationed on Tartarus and in the surrounding system?

>>4432353
On Tartarus itself is our Revenants, Punisher Squad, and the many infiltrators of our spy network which I assume probably includes people of all kinds from armed guards to unassuming bookworms.

Aspera Dominus is too obvious, but we can have Strike Cruiser Ghost's Lance lurking on the peripheries on low power. It has the 8th company and some veterans aboard.

The Revenants should have had plenty of time now to have organised a suitable trap. When he first arrives he should be observed for a time then lured into the trap. I would recommend some kind of sabotaged gravity plate which he can be lured onto and trapped in. Naturally the revenants should be ready with metal nets and webbers and such. Xenya on standby in case Silencius starts getting warpy. Make sure they're also equipped with psy-suppressant drugs and psy-manacles for the same reason, and of course astartes-grade adamantium manacles.

Finally for extraction, Punisher Squad and other infiltrators should be keeping a lighter bay open with a shuttle ready for Silencius and the revenants to be shuttled straight to Ghost's Lance.

Having said that, if during the observation phase Silencius exhibits any really weird powers or quirks or other strange abilities we can't predict, don't proceed with the capture attempt until we can rethink it over.

Are we in agreement? Y/N?

>>4432360
i would add a break before we springthe trap maybe something we can exploit will come up.

>>4432360
Sounds fine.

>>4432360
Also when Silencius first arrives and we're in the observation phase, we can use our many Tartarus against to interact with him, sell him stuff, offer services if he needs stuff etc. To get a better judge of what he's like now. And if we're lucky, maybe one of our people will end up moving around with him.

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A few months pass quietly (that is if one does not consider a low grade civil war on Tartarus to be quiet). Suddenly Ghost Lance's radars detect a very strong gravitational anomaly forming on the outskirts of the Tartarus system. Servitors and analysts cogitate various interpretations of the available data trying to find the most clear explanation. Eventually they are forced to conclude that there is only one explanation - a space hulk is coming. Captain Hector immediately orders all Chapter forces in the system on high alert. When the dark mass emerges from the depths of the warp, all of the worst expectations come true. It seems that Silencius has managed to somehow take hold and control this Space Hulk at least for long enough to arrive to the system. Soon, a small craft detaches itself from the dark visitor and proceeds towards Tartarus. When Silencius lands aboard the station, it is impossible to miss him, your agents immediately identify a massive warrior who emerges from the looted imperial lander. He does not look corrupted, as you have feared, his armour is clean white, however he does not seem to bear the heraldry of the Silent Guardians anymore. He is accompanied by a single shrouded figure that drags itself after him. Silencius attempts to seek Alepros, asking around about what happened, naturally without luck. How shall you proceed?

a) Spring the trap while he is unaware (75%)
b) Wait, see what he will do and what is his purpose
c) Approach him openly, if he is still a Space Marine at heart, he will take it best
d) other

Will you notify Eisenhorn that Silencius has arrived back to Sector Deus, as he suspected? You know that he would be interested to interrogate him.

>>4432393
do we have someone nearby who can detect if silencius or his hooded associate is a psyker?

>>4432396
None of the Revenants or Punisher squad is a psyker. Xenya is a blank.

However, you have a whole list of operatives in your network. There are bound to be some psykers there... Roll d7
1. No psykers
2. A latent psyker, bookseller
3. Warp dabbler, ex-heretic, not an agent - just an informant
4. Astropath working for one of the guilds
5. Trained psyker
6. Occultist researcher, non-psychic, but knows how to detect psykers
7. Former Black Ship armsman, non-psychic, but knows how to detect psykers

Best rolls will result in non-psykers, because they can detect while not exposing themselves for detection.

>>4432393
Could one of our agents approach him and say that 'some years ago' the Ghosts of Retribution spread word around Tartarus that they were looking for a marine bearing Silencius description to just talk to?

That shouldn't arouse Silencius' immediate suspicions and his reaction should tell us a lot. Ranging from "haha no" to "oh maybe I should meet them then".

Thoughts?

Rolled 2 (1d7)

>>4432401
oh dear
hi is on the roll again

Rolled 5 (1d7)

>>4432401
>>4432406
I believe in you

>>4432405
Usually I'd be against it, but since space marines in general and the lion's boys in particular are incredibly autistic that might just work.

>>4432405
Sounds like that agent aint long for this world when he eats a bullet

>>4432405
Plus we lose the element of surprise

Lyk has to go to bed, don't sully our honour.

>>4432405
>>4432406
>>4432409
>>4432417
>>4432415
If you decide to send the agent to seed the rumour, roll a d100. Your network leader in Tartarus informs Hector, that a certain bookseller is known to have a latent psychic talent and is able to sense psychic powers. He could be the one to be sent to talk to Silencius.

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>>4432393
>He does not look corrupted, as you have feared, his armour is clean white, however he does not seem to bear the heraldry of the Silent Guardians anymore.
The guy's a fallen Angel btw. Careful around the Lion's boys and their secrets.

>>4432424
>If you decide to send the agent to seed the rumour, roll a d100.
No need to actually seed it, we can just have somebody mention it pretending that the rumour exists, he has no way to directly check.

Ok guys, it's getting late, let's stop here for today and you can decide what you will do later. Thanks for playing!

+++THREAD SUSPENDED+++

>>4432424
Yeah just have the psyker scan Silencius and his companion for psychic powers.

Then (if they're clean) I think we should go ahead with the conventional Revenant ambush and capture. However we should lure him into the ambush zone then Geron can confront him openly (seemingly alone as he knows nothing about revenants, allowing Silencius to feel safe) and ask him that we just want to talk to him and ask questions.

If he still proves uncooperative or hostile then our revenants can spring the ambush.

A bit riskier than just immediately ambushing him. But it also avoids insulting/disgruntling him if he turns out to be non-hostile.

>>4432448
Thanks Skarg!
We can invite Adriel to split her time between Wuxide and Aspera Dominus.

Archived:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Ghosts%20of%20Retribution

>>4432210
The kiwiirc isn't used by anemone, wham bout a Discord channel?

>>4434705
https://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23RisingSons&server=irc.Rizon.net
Skek pasted the wrong one by accident.

+++Thread resumed+++
>>4432424
>>4432457
Is this your course of action? roll d100

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>4441381

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>4441381
Here we goooooo

Be friendly Geron. Happy face.

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>4441385
>>4441382
Your agent does his job well, he shadows Silencius and his companion across Tartarus, trying to get a close look at them. He soon returns, white as a sheet of paper.
>Geron, the marine, he is definitely psychic, but his companion... He's something else, completely out of my league. He seems to be an extremely powerful psyker of some sort. I've never encountered anyone of such powers, I am lucky they did not notice me...


[Rolling for Silencius, target: 15]

Do you change any of your orders? Do you still want to ambush? If so, roll d100

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>4441400
Go ahead, make sure the blank is nearby and protected, try to get a wall between him and the actual action if his null-field projects far enough. Don't start until he's in range.

>>4441400
In light of this new information it may be best that the revenants just continue to observe for now.

We should learn about why Silencius is travelling with this extremely powerful psyker. Silencius could be enthralled or something.

>>4441411
>>4441412
Does Geron still try to approach Silencius in a friendly manner? NB: In that case the roll will be used for diplomacy, not combat, if it occurs,

>>4441414
Yeah, I at least want to give him a chance, even if our combat roll will probably be 90+

>>4441411
>Go ahead, make sure the blank is nearby and protected, try to get a wall between him and the actual action if his null-field projects far enough. Don't start until he's in range.
actually it would be best if we can time it so we attack at the same time as the blank is "in range" as being in a nullzone would give the chapter master a few ideas of what will happen

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>>4442769
I too agree with myself that we should not attack until our null is in range.

Geron decides to approach Silencius on a narrow walkway between two sections of the Tartarus space station. Ghosts and their allies are dispersed among the traders and passers-by in plain clothes. Even if things get hairy, Silencius will have no chance to retreat from here, the road to retreat will be cut off behind him. Geron decloaks and steps out from the shadows onto the walkway, Xenya is following closely behind him, a nervous smile on her lips.
>Greetings, Lord Silencius! I come to you bearing greetings from my Chapter Master, your brother and companion. We were told that you seek his counsel, is that so, my lord?

In front of them stands an impressive Space Marine, shorter than the Chapter Master of the Ghosts of Retribution or even Geron, but still a whole head taller than most mortals. His jaw is sharp and deep-set eyes are burning with fierce intelligence, as he considers his answer. A shade of concern crosses his face, but he smiles:
>Hello, brother. You must be the famous Geron. Praised be your courage, both on battlefield and for coming to me straight like a blade, unafraid of the consequences. Indeed, I would like to meet your master. Strange eons are about to cross out paths and it is not yet set in stone that we are not to be comrades in arms. As my mentor used to say, goodwill comes first. My Tarot kept suggesting me that my next stop should be Tombstone, so I might as well go there. Or would your master happen to be somewhere closer?

>>4451292
that's me.

>>4451292
any reaction to the approaching blank?
other than that, ask for him to introduce his follower and introduce ours that are visible, no mention of specifics and be very brief and nondescript for the humans, as if they are of low importance. no need to bring his attention to them more than neccesary

>>4451292
"Indeed Brother Silencius. Our Chapter Masters' own tarot is what led us here. Perhaps it is indeed fate that you should meet one another.

A meeting can indeed be soon arranged. May I ask who it is that accompanies you?"

>>4451294
And lost the name again...

>>4451296
None apart from the brief confusion or concerns on his face. Could it be related to Xenya? It is unclear, he does not seem to be the kind of man to worry often.

>>4451298

Silencius smiles again, but there's nothing but cold steel this time behind his smile:
>A penitent under oath, doing his service to the Imperium in my service. I will not introduce you to him, as he happens to be quite murderous - part of his oath. You can refer to him as Servant, but never address him directly. There's no need to interrupt his penitence.

Geron throws a glance in Servant's direction and feels something he hasn't felt in ages - a cold chill running down his spine. Servant's face is hidden in the darkness beneath the hood, but he can hear monotone mumbling, a prayer or cursing of sorts. This creature both insane and dangerous, he realises.

>>4451309
"This Servant sounds somewhat dangerous my Brother Chapter Master. But I'm sure a meeting can be arranged between yourself and my Chapter Master on one of the many planetoids in this system?"

My suggestion. Yes/no?

>>4451314
Sounds fine, but let's leave out the part about the Servant and just pretend he does not exist.

>>4451309
should we invite him to a meeting call the inquisitor that wanted him too.
nothing beats a suprise party after all

>>4451314
Silencius nods.
>Indeed he is. A price was paid to bow him to the Light of Terra.
He unclasps his armoured glove, revealing his scorched left hand.
>But even a bent dagger can cut deep, as long as the steel is true. However some daggers cannot be released from the hand, otherwise they can be lost once more in the darkness. Servant serves me wherever I go, but I promise, that he will not pose any danger. And I will die before letting him touch any of your noble brothers. I fear no evil, so I will meet your master wherever it pleases him, whether in the depths of space or heights of the spires, I have seen that he serves the Emperor, and I know that there is no seed of betrayal in his heart.

[Roll Logic(-20)] Geron noticed something interesting about the wound. Will he realise what it is? Roll d100

You can clarify the details of where and when you want to meet him, it seems that Silencius honestly intends to arrive there.

>>4451335
I think meeting Silencius on one of the empty planetoids in the Tartarus system would work fine. After all we don't want any of the many unknown prying eyes on Tartarus to eavesdrop on us and Silencius would understand that concern.

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>4451331
No treachery, every time I don't talk you and Lu out of it we have some shit on our ass for decades. We still haven't removed the danger of D'anger.
>>>4451335
>[Roll Logic(-20)] Geron noticed something interesting about the wound. Will he realise what it is? Roll d100

>>4451331
Eisenhorn is conviced that Silencius is a heretic - both him and Commodus Voke have been on his trail for some years now. They would be very pleased to finally catch him, but this might sour the meeting.

>>4451342
INT 45+ 5 (Logic) - 20 (Split-second) = 30
Roll = 30
+++SUCCESS+++

Only briefly, but Geron realises that Silencius' burnt hand is covered in thousands of microscopic inscriptions, forming a pattern. While your scout leader is no scholar, even he can recognise that these are no mere tattoos, but rather some sort of hexagrammatic wards or maybe some even more arcane psycho-technology. It is too complicated for him to interpret it any deeper than this.

>>4451341
He will arrive. Please describe how you greet him, who else is there with you and what kind of planetoid you are looking for (there are thousands of them). There are no planetoids with atmosphere, meaning that you will have to conduct business in power armours. If you will pick a small planetoid, it might be a bit disorienting, as you might have a sunrise every 5 minutes.

>>4451349
i take geron makes a photo of the hand with his armors inbuilt camera?

>>4451349
Hmm so maybe Silencius' hand got corrupted and he imprinted it with wards to stem the corruption.

I would say any large but bare planetoid is fine. If it's just Silencius and Servant then Chapter Master can meet him with Renard perhaps? Two meeting two.

Thoughts?

>>4451349
>Eisenhorn is conviced that Silencius is a heretic - both him and Commodus Voke have been on his trail for some years now. They would be very pleased to finally catch him, but this might sour the meeting.
No inquisitor until we're sure of Silencius' corruption or purity.
Space marine issues should be handled by space marines first. However, we should make sure that we can secure and keep him during the meeting if necessary, so Eisenhorn just has to pick him up if things do go french.
>Only briefly, but Geron realises that Silencius' burnt hand is covered in thousands of microscopic inscriptions, forming a pattern. While your scout leader is no scholar, even he can recognise that these are no mere tattoos, but rather some sort of hexagrammatic wards or maybe some even more arcane psycho-technology. It is too complicated for him to interpret it any deeper than this.
Somebody's got a daemon in his arm.

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>>4451355
It was just a brief flash, no time to take the picture.

>>4451356
Planetoid A-66154=XXDO-53 serves your purposes just right. In the parlance of local Tartaran smugglers, it is known as Point Miranda. With radius of 91 km, this planetoid is just big enough to visit without going sick. Nonetheless, sidereal day on Point Miranda is mere 2 hours. Some two hundred years ago a small order of monks tried to establish a monastery here. For obvious reasos, colony failed to take hold and they departed within a few years, but ruins of the monastery clearly show up in the orbital scans. Seems like a perfect place for the meeting.

>>4451356
>>4451357
So just CM and Renard? Let me know if you send any hidden troops in advance.

+++

I think next steps will be very interesting, so I suggest to leave them for next time. Sorry for starting so late today.

+++

>>4451376
Thanks Skargan!

>>4451380
Np. You can also make a roll (target - 30) for further identification of what did Geron see on Silencius' arm, as discussed with Hi in the chat.

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>4451376
>So just CM and Renard? Let me know if you send any hidden troops in advance.
All of the marines CM currently has around him.
Not hidden though, we've got nothing to hide.
What's he gonna do?`Ask if they are there to kill him if he's corrupted?
The answer's yes and if he's loyal he wouldn't act differently.
>>4451388
roll

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>>4451388
>Np. You can also make a roll (target - 30)
>>4451392
>Rolled 29 (1d100)
Let's see that hand.

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>>4451376
I'd disagree with
>>4451392
I'd say that CM with the Shadow Guard should be enough. Aspera Dominus in orbit should be intimidating enough without the direct and obvious aggression deploying hundreds of marines right in their face would project.

In terms of questions, obviously:
"Your whereabouts have been something of a Sector mystery brother. Disappearing from commanding the Silent Guardians without a trace. We thought you could be dead. Where have you been if I may ask? It must've be very important to take a chapter master away from his Chapter."

"For our part, my own brothers and I have been investigating this strange conspiracy around a group of so-called 'Fated Chapters', of which ours are a part, along with the Storm Dragons, Dark Hunters and several others. Are you familiar with the term?"

Then go from there depending on his response.

I recall the words of Sixtus Acenos:
>I was Librarian of the Silent Guardians Chapter, brother and servant of my Chapter Master Silencius. We were betrayed and we failed. Tell him not, tell him NOT to trust Quixos, He lies about Zykion, Zykion was right, the threads of fate of the Imperium lie here! Tell Silencius, that I witnessed one of them, star children who bear the blood of the Emperor, I am sure! I AM SURE!

From the looks of it, it seems like Silencius is acting upon false information about Zykion told to him by Quixos. To what end I can only guess. It could even be a supposedly noble cause, but still based upon false info.

We could ask Silencius if he recognises the name Sixtus Acenos? Mentioning that he was a Silent Guardian we encountered in 'unknown territory'? Just to see what Silencius knows about Acenos and his attitude towards the Librarian.

From the sounds of it Silencius and Acenos were friends. And it doesn't seem like Silencius was aware that Acenos was experimented on and killed by Quixos. Instead Silencius continues to follow whatever things (false things?) that Quixos told him.

>>4452201
An amendment to this.

First thing we should do is greet Silencius and thank him for the Silent Guardians' help. They helped us on Artoria when the Nurglites attacked.

Then listen to what Silencius has to say first. He obviously has something he wants to say to chapter master. Discuss his chapter etc., be friendly.

Only THEN do we ask him about Fated Chapters etc.

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>>4451392
Great roll.
+++
From Geron's descriptions you are able to confirm that the inscriptions covering Silencius' burnt hand are miniscule hexagrammatic wards. He did notice a certain repeating symbol, which he was able to reproduce for you to identify -a control rune. While you lack sufficient information to make a guaranteed case, but you think that Silencius has bound his wound to some psychic control mechanism. Psychic systems such as this have been used in the past to open warp vortexes, summon daemons and hold pocket dimensions. They have been also used to channel psychic energy to form banishing sigils and destroy or contain elements of the warp, notably Sebastian Thor himself is often depicted in many icons as having both of his hands tattooed with similar inscriptions.
+++
>>4452201
When you finally arrive to Miranda Point, old Space Marine and his servant are already there. Despite being in power armour in the void of space, you realise that a shiver runs down your back as you enter the ruins of the monastery. Silencius is now clad in full power armour, his knee bent in prayer at the half ruined altar. You can see through the ruined columns, that in what used to be a garden behind the monastery, a small landing craft is parked among the rubble. You sense a strong psychic presence there, it must be the Servant.

>Greetings, Silencius.
Chapter Master to Chapter Master, this meeting is long overdue. While there is no atmosphere to carry your words, open vox channel works just fine.
>Good to meet you, brother.
Silencius stands up, makes an aquila on his chest facing the micro-meteorite scrubbed Emperor's visage and then turns to you.
>Your legend is fresh, but it precedes you already. The Ghost of Deus in person. I am glad our paths finally cross.
You nod, not allowing the flattery to get to you.
>Your whereabouts have been something of a Sector mystery brother. Disappearing from commanding the Silent Guardians without a trace. We thought you could be dead. Where have you been if I may ask? It must've be very important to take a chapter master away from his Chapter.
Silencius throws a glance at Shadow Guard, who remain still as statues behind your back, but then replies, you can hear a light smile in his voice.
>Indeed, it has been an adventure, and a longer one than I expected the day I left my brothers. I hope that you will give me a chance to tell you this story in more detail over a glass of amasec one day, but to cut it short, I have followed a higher calling. I assume that these men behind you are trustworthy, so I will share the details of the story as they were. Some of them are not for those of inflexible or fragile minds. As you know, my chapter has the duty of safeguarding Forbidden Worlds in our Demi-Segmentum Obscurus...

>>4460218
We should offer Silencius a drink from out flask of amasec. He obviously could use a drink and it would help form a bond with him

>>4460334
Obviously since we are in a vacuum we would have to have it in a way that would be able to administered via the ports on the armor. But since we are space marines this is something I figure we would already have worked out

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>>4460338
>>4460334
>"brother, connect your fluid nipple to my fluid nipple"
>"this is delicious, brother. What is this liquid from your fluid nipple?"

>>4460218
So we can let Silencius explain what he's been up to. Then see what else he wants to tell or ask us. Then let's hear his intentions, what he's planning to do now he's back in Sector Deus.

If Sixtus Acenos doesn't come up then eventually we'll want to touch on that subject. Mention him off-hand as a Silent Guardian we encountered alone and see if Silencius acts like he knows Sixtus and whether he knows that Sixtus is dead.

Depending on how that goes, we can steer the conversation towards Quixos and the warning Sixtus gave us. But we'll see.

If an opportune moment arises to politely inquire about his ''''scarred'''' hand, we should probably do so. But treat the matter politely.

Thoughts?

>>4460625
Agreed, but I also want to know what deal he made with quixos and his thoughts on Zykion

>>4460625
>but to cut it short, I have followed a higher calling.
>Some of them are not for those of inflexible or fragile minds.
Sounds like chaos to me, Brothers!

Purge the Heresy.

Jk, don't look at the man behind the certain Dorthy

>>4460648
not neccesarily
we left our chapter on....questionable adventures aswell and the silent guardians did not seem to lack a formidable and able leadership

i suggest we let him speak but perhaps it should really be our ears only. i.e. turn of the audio systems in the shadowguard. we can handsignal them just as well anyway.

>>4460658
Sounds like something an agent of chaos would say!

Purge everyone remotely linked to chaos.

On a more serious note, Silencius said he'd explain for all to hear. It'll be a bit suspicious if we close off our Shadow Guard's vox channels.

>>4460218
after he finished tell him of our meeting with sixtus
and relay albeit rather late, the warning sixtus gave to us

https://chapterquest.fandom.com/wiki/Sixtus_Acenos

""My name was Sixtus Acenos, First Company, Calliope Squad. I was Librarian of the Silent Guardians Chapter, brother and servant of my Chapter Master Silencius. We were betrayed and we failed. Tell him not, tell him NOT to trust Quixos, He lies about Zykion, Zykion was right, the threads of fate of the Imperium lie here! Tell Silencius, that I witnessed one of them, star children who bear the blood of the Emperor, I am sure! I AM SURE!

You must listen, you must listen to me and then kill me, for I don't know what he did to me... You must find them all, Dark Hunters, Ghosts of Retribution, Silent Guardians, Knights of Adamant, Storm Dragons and others, we, you, I, no you must find all the Fated Chapters and warn them. War is coming, Golden Throne WILL FAIL and the Box, you must not forget the Box that was given by the Emperor! Quixos will try to find it, because it's destined to..."

>>4460218
>Don't tell anyone, but most of the forbidden worlds are nothing special. Quarantine areas for diseases long cured, seats of long dead alien empires, heretical splinter civilisations that have centuries ago succumbed to barbarism and pose no threat to the Imperium at large... And also a fair amount of pure bureaucratic errors or decrees-by-rumour, as we call them inside the chapter. Some Rogue Trader returns claiming that he's seen something horrible in that general direction and a cluster of worlds gets a quarantine decree until explored, which can take a millenium until Explorators decide to do that. And yet, some of the forbidden worlds hold secrets that are better left untouched. Silent Guardians were overextended as it was, nine companies to oversee and protect close to a thousand Forbidden Worlds. On average, within our area of operation, Inquisition declares 7 worlds per year to be Forbidden. Having in mind Codex Astartes limitation on the Chaper size, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that we had to fight with brains, rather than numbers. So we had to improvise - while officially it was the duty of the Inquisition, we created our own catalogue, Index Astra Interdicta. They were greedy with the information and we needed to prioritise in order to be able to perform our mission. In my duties from time to time I was required to participate in exploratory missions myself. And in one of those, Emperor willed me to discover something I wouldn't have thought possible to exist. A work, allegedly written by Himself or someone very close to him.

Silencius takes out a dataslate and throws it to you. It gently floats in low gravity into your palm.

>These are only scans for confirming what I am saying, the tome is ancient and fragile, I keep it in a safe space. But if you will be interested, I would gladly share an opportunity with you to read. It details Emperor's vision for the Imperium, a vastly different vision, from what you and I were conditioned to belief to be true. Naturally, I resisted it at first. My world was thrown into chaos, though not the warp kind. Warp fiends can be cleansed with the bolter, this was much more complicated... I sought answers, and I found them under tutelage of a man of great vision, an Inquisitor of sorts. He reached same conclusions as me, although he came from a different direction and used different means. We both recognised that ultimately not only the battle we are fighting is unwinnable, but that even the ideals for which we fight are corrupted and twisted behind our backs. His name was Quixos, and as I understand it, you killed him.

>>4460793
believe* to be true.

+Emperor hates typos+

>>4460658
Noted. Shadow Guard are on visual only mode, until you give a different command.

>>4460672
Or not? Please confirm.

>>4460793
>We both recognised that ultimately not only the battle we are fighting is unwinnable, but that even the ideals for which we fight are corrupted and twisted behind our backs. His name was Quixos, and as I understand it, you killed him.
Was that before or after he fell from grace?
If Silencius was good friends with Quixos 'I have a daemon in my heart' Greyknightslayer, then we'd best get his ass to Eisenhorn ASAP.
And even if not we probably should. Or we should kill him right here.
No treason to the Godemperor.

>I left my Chapter instructions on procedures to follow. I took only my most trusted warriors and we ventured down a dark and dangerous path. Unfortunately, only I remain. It is a shame that I was not present during the trials the befell Sector Deus recently, I would have helped Ghosts of Retribution. My Captains are... loyal, but inflexible. Too concerned with our primary mission to see the bigger picture. But I am glad to see that you have survived and thrived despite the odds. We will need your strength for the challenges that will come.

He stops for a moment, in thought. You use the opportunity to ask him about Acenos.

>You are right, Quixos fell under our blade. He was a heretic and threatened both us directly and the Imperium at large. His mind was scrambled from the Chaos forces that he was colluding with. Does the name Sixtus Acenos tell you anything?

He turns to you rapidly.

>How do you know of him? He was the Librarian of our First Company and my confidant on our quest. He did most of our research into the issue. We lost him in Sector Corgus, on one of our missions to find additional information on the situation. This war for knowledge took almost more of my brothers than the actual battles...

You feel a tinge of regret in his steely voice.

>>4460810
Let's repeat the message Acenos left for him.
>"My name was Sixtus Acenos, First Company, Calliope Squad. I was Librarian of the Silent Guardians Chapter, brother and servant of my Chapter Master Silencius. We were betrayed and we failed. Tell him not, tell him NOT to trust Quixos, He lies about Zykion, Zykion was right, the threads of fate of the Imperium lie here! Tell Silencius, that I witnessed one of them, star children who bear the blood of the Emperor, I am sure! I AM SURE!

>You must listen, you must listen to me and then kill me, for I don't know what he did to me... You must find them all, Dark Hunters, Ghosts of Retribution, Silent Guardians, Knights of Adamant, Storm Dragons and others, we, you, I, no you must find all the Fated Chapters and warn them. War is coming, Golden Throne WILL FAIL and the Box, you must not forget the Box that was given by the Emperor! Quixos will try to find it, because it's destined to..."

>>4460817
>>4460806
Since Silencius seems to have been fooled, there might be plenty of hope for him. Maybe he won't go full-fedora after all.

>>4460798
If it makes the convo more comfortable for silencius it can be kept private.

>>4460817
And I assume we inform Silencius that Acenos was killed by Quixos' experimentation? He was trying to figure out how to make a marine into a daemonhost.

>>4460821
It seems that Silencius is more concerned for your safety, in case you believe him and your men would happen to be fanatics.

>>4460817
>>4460824
Can I have one more vote to confirm this (as this is important)?

Rolled 94 (1d100)

You shake your head.

>I am sorry to be the one to break you the hard news. I do believe that Quixos killed your friend. When we just crossed paths with him, we assaulted his underwater facility on Inaria and we found Sixtus there, dying. I believe that Quixos was experimenting on him, torturing him even, in order to turn him into one of his daemon-hosts. We got there too late, our Apothecaries couldn't do much. Here are his last words.

You play him the message.

Rolling for Silencius' Willpower(-30). Target 42.

>>4460829
I agree

>>4460829
>>4460697
i was the first

>>4460836
>No... No, no, NO!!!

Silencius stars pacing frantically.

>You are LYING! This is a forgery! Sixtus died on Tharima, Quixos returned me his helmet!

He seems to be almost shaking.

>NO!!!

He smahes a column that happens to be in his way, it crumbles into dust.

>But how would you get a sample of his voice... Why do you know about Inarian facility? Even I visited it only twice... Zykion? Really? Why would he..?

He seems to be talking half to himself.

Rolling for structural integrity of the monastery [Target: 86]

Rolling his Willpower again [Target(Base): 72]

You can either try to roll Charm to tell him something or use his distraction as an opportunity for something.

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>4460846
Structural integrity

>>4460846
>Willpower

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>4460846
Willpower

>>4460846
let him talk say nothing
undo a bit of the rage
also in this state its more likely he will mumble some important info he wud not divulge when he was clearer of mind

>>4460846
>You can either try to roll Charm to tell him something or use his distraction as an opportunity for something.
I'd say we keep our mouths shut and let him vent some emotions. The shock is understandable but it will pass.

>>4460853
>>4460854
that we try to prevent him from burying us all under rubble AND keep an eye on his "friend" is a given

>>4460846
>Willpower

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>4460846
>willpower hopefully

He stumbles around for a bit, until his anger is spent and he sits down on the stairs towards the altar. He seems to be tired.

>I believe you. Thank you for letting me know. Quixos, that... Damn it. He asked me about it once, theoretically, if I would permit any of my space marines to be... Emperor damn his black soul. He was a genius, but a dark one. Much smarter than me, that's why I could barely keep up with his theories, Sixtus often worked with him on my behalf. I think that is the reason why I felt no anger towards you, when I learned of his death. Not that I didn't respect him. I even think that he was working towards Imperial salvation, in his own way. But this... It seems I really underestimated his radical ways, he clearly has crossed into the darker shadows from the twilight zone. Thank you for opening my eyes. Have you managed to retrieve Sixtus' geneseed? Where is he buried? I feel that I need to make amends to my old friends.

He then shakes his head.

>But there will be time to grieve. There is a mission at hand, the hardest one of them all. So, I assume that you know then about the Fated Chapters theory and Zykion? But what was it about the box and the Golden Throne? Could you elaborate on this? Either way, we need to join forces. I came here to ask you to join forces and unite the Fated Chapters to fulfill our mission - salvation of the Imperium!

>>4460866
This was already rolled, but I'll take this nice roll for the next thing you will tell him, Yyyman. No longer than three sentences.

>>4460880
>So, I assume that you know then about the Fated Chapters theory and Zykion
"Precious little brother. All we know is that our chapters foundings were spearheaded by Zykion and shrouded in mystery. If you know more, please illuminate me?
And what was it that Quixos said about Zykion? That Acenos said were lies?"

Do we agree?

Yyyman can ask his own questions with his roll of course.

>>4460881
Sounds fine, we really need to find out more.

>>4460880
Silencius, I would love to join forces with you, but I will not lead my brothers in war blindly. Tell me truthfully what is the wound on your hand mean? And what is the thing that accompanies you and what is it purpose?

>>4460888
He lifts his head up, looking straight at you, you can almost feel him staring through the visor.

>Well, you told me the truth, I owe it to you too. I know that you know what is it like to be persecuted - I know about the Iron Monks and their petty crusade against you. However your Chapter was blackened falsely, while mine... My shield is scorched with real shadows. In preparation for the coming war, I had to make hard decisions. Quixos convinced me that it is the right thing to do. Even if I doubt him now, what was done, is done.

>In order to confirm one of the theories, we needed to break into Commorragh, the Dark City. We did, raid was a success. and yet, I was wounded with a poisoned blade, Dark Eldar know their toxins. Even Dreadnought sarcophagus wouldn't have saved me. Quixos was freaked out. He summoned a weak daemon and bound it to one of our Dark Eldar prisoners. Servant is codename for a quasi-daemon-host that is tied to my still poisoned wound. After these years, I can almost live with the pain, but not with the knowledge of what I have become. But no matter how many times I ask, Tarot claims, that it is for a purpose. Servant obeys my will, protects me and vanquishes my enemies. His Dark Eldar essence is also still conscious enough not to want to fall to the Warp, for it knows that a Chaos god that shall not be named is waiting for her beyond the doorstep of mortality.

>This war will be hard and most likely we will die. But it is a war that needs to be fought, for our Emperor himself is held captive. My duty is to serve Him and protect Mankind at all costs. I know that my Chapter will be destroyed and bodies of my brothers will litter the battlefields between here and Terra. And yet, there, at the end, on the footsteps of the Golden Gate, my bloodied hand or that of my surviving brothers, will plant the seed of the final victory.

>Will you join me?

+Session over for today+

Think about it guys and let's continue next week.

>>4460922
What is the final victory? What are you trying to achieve?
And why haven't you removed the arm now that it's stable?

>>4460925
Thanks Skargan!

>>4460922
What are your plans? I have no plan to lead my brothers to their destruction. I have seen it once before and was will to sacrifice myself to prevent it. It was only the grace of the emperor that I survived to live to this day. So again what are you asking of me?

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>My plan is simple - Emperor and his Primarchs must return to restore the Imperium. While there are a few different ways of how we could go about this, make no mistake, sooner or later we might need to face even the High Lords of Terra themselves, but only if they try to interfere with the ultimate destiny of Mankind - to rule the stars under His infinite wisdom. Emperor of Mankind will return and we will be His Angels of Death.

>>4460951
How?

>>4460951
If we were to restore the rule of the emperor as you say, we would need a lot more marines. We would have to increase the size of our chapters to the legions of old. How do you plan to do that?

We would need allies that are strong and believe in our cause. Who do you have that we can call upon? What stores of weapons and ships do you have to arm the legions of men that would be necessary to fight this war?

Are you not afraid that this will cause another sundering of the imperium as grave as the Horus Heresy? Will this not cause the weakening of the Imperium that one of Abaddon's cursed Black Crusades won't finally be able to overwhelm Cadia and end us all. While we fight among us like zealots, the very thing the Emperor warned us against?

>>4460962
If he plans to reincarnate the Emperor through the star child like some radical inquisitors demand he won't need an army, just a well placed bolt.
>>4460951
>You seem to know much more than I do about the purpose of our chapters. Do you also know something about me? I am different from other marines and I've been given to understand that my advantages are not just a genetic fluke but forged with a purpose.
>Why? What purpose? Why aren't all my brothers improved like me? And are there others? Are you like me?
>And what has you so utterly convinced your cure for the Emperor will work? Especially now that you know Quixos fell to the ruinous powers and manipulated you and your chapter.

>>4460973
Me of course, bedposting before I close my eyes.

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>>4460951
I'm in agreement with >>4460962 and >>4460973

I also note that Silencius hasn't told us what those lies that Quixos told him about Zykion were. So ask clearly to Silencius, what did Quixos tell him about Zykion?

And what are these 'theories' that he confirmed by travelling into Commoragh? I note that Silencius is asking an awful lot of us while sharing very little of what he knows. He's just saying "We need to do this, we need to do that." without telling us why and what evidence he has to support such a course of action.

Silencius is clearly determined but he also clearly has very little information himself. We can't go leaping into this on a whim especially since Silencius has sourced the majority of his own motivation from the known heretic Quixos. Every word from Quixos' lips could have been a lie influenced by the dark powers, considering he had a chunk of bloodletter lodged in his heart.

What we have to do here is temper Silencius' eagerness. Encourage him to take a step back and analyse the situation more carefully. With his help we can continue our long-term mission to investigate our past and the motivations of Zykion.

I've gone through pretty much everything we've learned thus far from the earliest words of Sixtus Acenos to the intel gathered by Operation Stormchaser. The other Fated Chapters seem to know fuck all. Silencius seems to know fuck all. Operation White Emissary scouring Terra's own records discovered fuck all. I can find only two real leads left:

>1. Attempt to unlock Nerial's secret suppressed memories. Dangerous. Could kill him.
>2. Lady Sabrina DeHague. Terran Noble, Nerial's first employer, and Zykion's lover.
>3. The Grey Knights. Deiron knew something. He killed Sixtus before he could tell us about the box.

I would therefore suggest we (some of our agents and Silencius?) go to Terra to seek out Lady DeHague.
We also need Eisenhorn to question Deiron. Which is difficult seeing as Deiron is now a Daemonhost to Cherubael. Does Eisenhorn have any ideas? We know Cherubaels name so could that force the daemon to let us 'speak' to Deiron?
The only other option would be contacting the other Grey Knights on Nobis. But I don't know if we have any contact information for them.

We need to know what Zykion's intentions for the fated chapters were. Why he made them. What is the box?

If none of the above can provide any answers then I'm just completely and utterly out of ideas when it comes to looking into our past.
Everything we've tried thus far has told us less and less. Operation Stormchaser was a colossal waste of time and cost us an entire frigate for good measure. The other chapters were useless.