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>>4519790
Hi Skargan!

Making a note of the outstanding matters.

Recruiting chaplains
>>4500002
>>4500036
>>4500040

Annual Events choices
>>4499950
>>4499957

Xyptus' protege
>>4499920
>>4499939

And the other queries here
>>4491639
>Proteus 34. I assume we've put him back in his Eagle? How is he since the foray into The Grave? Furthermore has there been any intel from the Grave regarding the civil war within?
>Continue observing Tartarus and use our omnipresent spy network to glean all the intel we can on the styrian presence that was around the station, ss well as the activities of D'Anger. They must have used local services, hired local people. Someone must know something about them.
>Also to see how the situation on Tartarus develops. Currently the power vacuum remains, time will tell if the Captains' Council reaches an equitable distribution or if one Captain takes clear command like Alepros did.
>What have the Iron Monks been up to lately? General intel from our 45% Ecclesiarchy Spy Network, nothing risky to acquire.
>There's a lot of fugitives on the run at the moment. Deidara, Anastasia, D'Anger, Nestus Margon, and Astelion at the least. Have all these trails gone cold? I remember that Margon was freed from Arbites custody by a group of unidentified attackers on Tachion Primaris. Any leads on tracking these attackers down? Mercenaries?
>We should also start looking more closely into Kruun. Pax Sepulchrum is patrolling the region so they should focus on the Kruun system. They can scan for months and see if they can find any promising areas to insert a scout force under the radar (don't do it yet, just search for options). Scan for orbital defences and ground assets too of course.

>>4519800

>>4491960
>>4500910
>>4519779

>>4519790
Brothers! A hearty welcome!

>>4519865
https://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23RisingSons&server=irc.Rizon.net
Stay a while and listen.

Unfortunately the GM has collapsed due to overworking. Next session is scheduled for Monday 9th November.

>>4519865
Hey Zippy sorry to disappoint.

>>4519892
Np. DESU, this month has been a bit of a hard one. Hope he gets some good sleep as well.

>>4519869
Unfortunately, I was very busy today. I'll try to catch you guys later though. :^)

Love this, only wish that i could be more active.

+++ Hive Ozeak, Noctis System, Subsector Tyranus, Sector Deus, Segmentum Obscurus +++
Of all the great Institutions of the Imperium of Man, there is none more powerful or impenetrable as the Inquisition. Thus when Inquisitor Lord Harkon Braulasz of the Ordo Malleus requested assistance from the Ghosts of Retribution, the Chapter Master could not have refused even if he wanted to.

“Take care Astartes. This service shaft has been unused for the better part of a thousand years.” Interrogator Ostron warns as the metal platform they stood upon descends down the dank metal shaft on thick plasteel cables suspended high above.

Sergeant Asten and the four Veterans under his command acknowledge the Interrogators’ words with silent nods as they check over their weapons and equipment, the five space marines focused on the task at hand as they recite the Litanies of Reliability within their imposing jet black helmets.

Ostron, one of the most trusted underlings of Inquisitor Lord Braulasz, is accompanied by their own small retinue of henchmen. A techpriest is the most obvious of the bunch, the hulking specialist clad in its dusty red robe. Then there’s a pair of Crusaders with their gleaming shields, stalwart men of faith that will stand their ground in the face of unspeakable terrors. The last mortal with Ostron is a mysterious figure in a large black robe that has yet to speak a single word, but something about him sends an unpleasant sensation up Sergeant Asten’s spine.

Under Asten’s command are his Veteran brothers of the Ghosts of Retributions’ First Company, warriors of peerless discipline and skill that Asten has led through hell and back time and again.

>Sergeant Asten – Boltgun and Power Sword
>Brother Mevar – Combi-Flamer
>Brother Jethoden – Combi-Melta
>Brother Ristol – Boltgun
>Brother Artemis – Heavy Bolter

All of the Astartes are well equipped with the special issue ammunition employed by the Veterans of the First Company. Extended range Kraken Penetrators, devastating Hellfire bio-acid, and the temperamental but heavy armour busting Vengeance Rounds. Mevan and Jethoden also sport combi-weapons, giving them a single shot with a flamer or meltagun respectively. Experience has proven such emergency weapons very useful.

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>>4546134
“Two hundred metres from base.” Ostron drones in his monotone voice. “The gangs have all but abandoned this section of the underhives. Tales abound of evil spirits and people disappearing without a trace. My Lord believes this must be the region the cult is operating from.” He repeats the mission brief for the seventh time, as the Astartes stand unmoving upon the groaning metal platform that is lowering them down the multi-kilometre high service tunnel running from the middle hives deep into the darkest depths of Hive Ozeak’s ancient underhives.

A groaning of metal greets the team as the platform reaches the base of the shaft, settling on the crushed, shattered remnants of the original lift. Lights beam from the Astartes’ armour and illuminate a thick metal door out of the shaft, and the techpriest gets to work cutting them out with an articulate cutting torch mechanderite.

Asten and his marines stand ready as the door is unsealed and use their power armoured fingers to drag the scraping, decrepit metal slabs aside. “Prepare yourselves.” Ostron warns his fellow mortals as the doors squeak open, and the Astartes sweep with their bolters and lights into the darkness outside.

You are Sergeant Asten, and the lights of you and your squad reveal a vast derelict warehouse filled with crumbled, broken metal shelving and other detritus. But most importantly it is quiet, the silence interrupted only by the soft buzzing those few artificial lights in the warehouse ceiling that have survived so many centuries without care and cast a dim visibility over the decrepit scene.

>Secure the entire warehouse first
>Push straight out into the underhive 'streets' to assess the surrounding environment
>Other / Questions?

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>>4546134
>shaft has been unused for the better part of a thousand years
What did he mean by this?

>>4546134
>>Sergeant Asten – Boltgun and Power Sword
>>Brother Mevar – Combi-Flamer
>>Brother Jethoden – Combi-Melta
>>Brother Ristol – Boltgun
>>Brother Artemis – Heavy Bolter
what about secondary armament: Boltpistols krakgrenades fraggrenades, chainswords, vortex grenades?

>>4546137
>>Other / Questions?
Send the mortals out and around to check for exits above ground and secure them. Stay in vox contact and start securing the warehouse immediately once they've finished.

How many grenades do we have?

Rolled 77, 50 = 127 (2d100)

>>4546146
Every marine is also armed with a bolt pistol, combat knife, 4 frag grenades and 4 krak grenades.
Brother Ristol is armed with three melta bombs.

>>4546147
Ostron and the Crusaders quickly spread out as your marines keep their guns scanning the area. Ostron has a bolt pistol of his own and they quickly report that the upper catwalks and gantries have all collapsed. Your marines secure the lower level once you're assured there will be no unwelcome visitors from above. Amongst the detritus and twisted metal your men locate one large entrance to the warehouse on its northern side, and aside from some massively overgrown bilge rats there are no signs of life.

>>4546154
Get to the sides of the entrance, send a servo skull ahead if the priest has one, otherwise let him use whatever scanning equipment he has and get in if it comes back clear or unreadable.

>>4546154
>Every marine is also armed with a bolt pistol, combat knife, 4 frag grenades and 4 krak grenades.
Brother Ristol is armed with three melta bombs.

Does any carry anything of value to hire locals on the spot.

>>4546164
>Does any carry anything of value to hire locals on the spot.
You mean like...
melta bombs and grenades?

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>>4546154
>>4546157
Your men have soon confirmed the security of the warehouse and no unexpected guests have come.

"With any luck no one in the area detected the lift." Ostron says as his techpriest conducts scans with his auspex. He soon reports that - while his range is highly limited by the dense metal surroundings - his equipment is working and indicates some moderate surrounding lifesigns associated with rodents and other underhive pests. Outside the warehouse is a large neighbourhood of twisted streets and buildings that some millennia ago could have been a bustling middle-hive manufacturing district. What exactly is out there now is anyone's guess.

Ostron - ostensibly in command of the operation - lays out what must be done to Sergeant Asten. "If the stories coming from here are true these cultists are as savage as they are corrupt. The last gang to escape the region said they were based in an old cathedral about two kilometres west. Assuming there have been no changes since the archived plans were made."

>>4546164
Interrogator Ostron has adequate resources for such needs, as well as his Inquisitorial Seal.

Select your actions

Movement:
>Move straight towards the cathedral's supposed location through the streets.
>Move towards the cathedral's supposed location carefully and stick to the buildings as much as possible
>Explore & secure the surrounding area in an ever-increasing radius. Possibly hours taken but determines established safe zones

>>4546175
>Interrogator Ostron has adequate resources for such needs, as well as his Inquisitorial Seal.
distribute the resources in case of splitting the forces


>Move towards the cathedral's supposed location carefully and stick to the buildings as much as possible
(reasoning: i am against spending more time than necesary as to keep any momentum of suprise, rather than spend hours combing through dirt and risking triggering one of their early warning somethings.

---- Beware the rodents, kill any we come across---

>>4546180
Sounds alright, though I doubt people would distrust a marine offering money in regards to actually paying up.

Rolled 17, 30 = 47 (2d100)

>>4546180
>>4546183
While Ostron is technically in command, Asten is the clear field leader and the mortals can only keep up as the marines make their way through the metal jungle. In their dark grey armour the marines hustle across dark streets - illuminated only by ancient buzzing lamps and lighting that would have once lit the entire area up as if it were daytime.

The region is a series of long streets and dense metal blocks all built within the enormous hundred-metre high hive layer. High above you can see the vaulted ceiling of the hive layer, gaping holes and collapsed sections exposing buckled girders and broken pipes that once sustained these floors of the great Hive City.

It quickly becomes obvious that the dense and half-collapsed building blocks were quite well-inhabited not too long ago, filled with scattered belongings and rough bedding used by the kind of impoverished scum that inhabit these regions. The buildings were clearly well-secured not too long ago as well, but every padlock and door-bar has already been broken open or unlocked otherwise allowing your marines quite free access through the dense urban environment. Perhaps more concerning is that every now and then you come across a looted weapon stockpile, only scattered cartridges and empty racks remaining.

"Only one kilometre away." Ostron whispers as your marines lead the way across another broad dimly-lit street, hunkering against the wall of the opposite block.

>Roll 1d100 for Movement Tactics (Target 60)
>Roll 1d100 for Awareness (Target 50)

I am rolling for the enemy.
>1. Security Tactics (Target 30)
>2. Concealment (Target 40)

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>4546203
>>Roll 1d100 for Awareness (Target 50)
gib 90, end session early

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>4546203
>>Roll 1d100 for Movement Tactics (Target 60)
here goes the mission

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>>4546203
>>4546210
>>4546211
The urban environment is eerily silent as your team makes their way through narrow corridors and broken walls, but progress seems promising and eventually Asten reaches a large collapsed section of roof through which he can see the cathedrals' spire just a few hundred metres away.

"Almost there." Ostron murmurs, as the team climbs through the broken section and out across another street. Asten's sharp eyes pick up some movement down the street, shadows up high. He takes a peek through his boltguns' targeter and gets a clear picture of half a dozen desiccated, decayed bodies swaying gently from where they are suspended. Jethoden's lights illuminate a nearby exterior wallside, the dull plasteel covered in daubed blood symbols and foul speech.

The cathedral looms up in the distance, just one long highway between the team and the target. Asten and his marines hug close to the exterior walls of the block buildings, while the Interrogator and his team follow closely behind the shields of their imposing Crusaders.

"Incoming!" Mevar is the first to yell as a screech fills the street, a rocket speeding down from the rooftops ahead and slamming into the wall alongside him. Mevar's power armoured form is hurled several metres into the street by the force of the rocket blast, his leg torn off at the knee by the time the power armoured frame settles on the textured metal ground.

Small arms fire peppers the other marines, autogun rounds pinging off their power armour as they instinctively begin to return fire at the muzzle flashes atop the rooftop maybe a hundred yards away. "Argh!" Ostron grunts as an autogun round cuts through his armour and wounds his flank, the mortals quickly falling behind their Crusaders' shields.

"Cannon!" Artemis grunts as the distinctive thud of autocannon fire sounds out from the rooftop, the first few heavy rounds tearing chunks from the metal wall behind the force.

Marine Orders:
>Charge the building through the incoming fire, take the bottom floor and work up
>Fall back into cover and attempt to whittle the enemy down with long-range fire
>Other?

The mortals meanwhile are falling back to cover, but while Ostron is ostensibly in charge you know the mortals will follow your command in such a combat situation.

>>4546233
>>Charge the building through the incoming fire, take the bottom floor and work up
Nades and go after their blast disorients them.

The building from which you are being fired upon is a four-story high hab block located about 80 metres away at 2 o clock from your current position. For reference the cathedral is approximately 120m away at 12 o clock.

The hab block itself is mostly collapsed on its right edge, while the central and left sections are upright.

I'll pause things there and continue tomorrow. Post any actions and questions here in the meantime.

>>4546233
can we go sneaky, back path? cover? darkness (shot lightsources?)

otherwise i agree (partially) with lyk
i,e, charge but also set up the heavy bolter and possible some of the inq dudes with longer ranged weapons as suppressive fire

Rolled 53, 98 = 151 (2d100)

>>4547101
>>4546239
"Advance!" Asten roars to Jethoden and Ristol while Artemis braces his hallowed heavy bolter, training its death-spitting barrel towards the rooftops while Ostron and his force reach cover and take aim with their own autoguns.

Please roll the following
>1d100 for Advancing (Target 50)
>2d100 for Suppressive Fire (Targets 60 and 40)

I am rolling for the enemy
>1. Firing upon the Advancers [Target 30+10 = 40 (Elevated Position)]
>2. Willpower against Suppressive Fire [Target 35+10 = 45 (Zealots)]

Rolled 39, 79 = 118 (2d100)

>>4547173
>>2d100 for Suppressive Fire (Targets 60 and 40)

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>4547173
here we go
here we go
here we go

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>>4547173
>>4547177
>>4547180
Artemis' Heavy Bolter roars as massive shells slam up into hab block, tracking up across the metal facade before Artemis' experienced hands swing the fire straight across the edge of the roof. The massive bolts blow huge chunks from the rooftop edge and several pops of faint red mist erupt from behind the chewed-up facade.

The enemy fire ceases almost immediately as the entire ambush force drops down into cover in terror, giving Asten and his assault team a clear path down the open street. Power armoured boots thump against the metal ground as they clear the distance in a matter of seconds, smashing through the double doors at the bottom of the hab block.

Asten, Jethoden and Ristol climb up the winding metal stairway in a practised covering formation, boltguns barking as they effortlessly drop a number of cultists that attempt to halt their advance. Within less than a minute the assault team is kicking in the door to the rooftops, where they find the ambush force still hunkered behind the raised edge.

"Take them out!" Asten commands and his men don't hesitate. Three boltguns spew a hail of bolts that smash clean through the cultists' red-painted flak armour and blow them into shredded chunks and scraps of flesh.

Within just a few seconds it is done and Asten takes stock, looking towards the cathedral as enormous basins surrounding the building spark into flame and bathe the entire area is searing orange light. Scores of desiccated corpses swing from the spires and archways of the cathedrals' roof, eviscerated and disembowelled, their entrails and blood smeared all over the cathedrals' once pristine exterior to paint it a sickening clotted red. Great symbols of the dark powers have been chipped into the masonry and tattered banners declaring fealty to the chaos gods hang from corpses that have been nailed to the exterior.

"Emperor...." Jethoden grunts before dozens of cultists run out from the cathedrals' main entrance and several smaller archways, running towards positions behind large scrap barricades and rudimentary pillboxes.

With just a few seconds scanning the defences Asten counts two autocannons, a missile launcher emplacement, half a dozen mounted heavy stubbers and at least fifty cultists with yet more spilling from the entrances. The positions are not yet fully manned and hunkered down but the cultists will be in cover in just a few seconds.

Simultaneously Artemis reports. "Brother Sergeant! Mevar is alive but crippled. Suggest he withdraws to exfil point?"

>Asten, Jethoden and Ristol open fire from the rooftop immediately
>Hold fire and bring entire force to rooftop
>Hold fire and Asten, Jethoden and Ristol withdraw
>Other/Alternative?

In addition, regarding Mevar:
>Agree with Artemis, he returns to the lift
>Other?

>>4547203
>>Asten, Jethoden and Ristol open fire from the rooftop immediately
+
>>Agree with Artemis, he returns to the lift

>>4547203
>but the cultists will be in cover in just a few seconds.
are those in cover in range for frag grenades?

>>4547216
From your elevated position your superhuman men can hurl their grenades a good one hundred metres. So all the cultist positions are within range though some are enclosed from the top.

>>4547203
>>4547215
>>>Asten, Jethoden and Ristol open fire from the rooftop immediately
agree

have the crippled marine guard the exit, rather than retreat. he may not walk but he can still shoot correct?

>>4547224
>have the crippled marine guard the exit, rather than retreat. he may not walk but he can still shoot correct?
Sounds okay

>>4547215
>>4547216
>>4547224
Please roll 3d100
>1d100 for Asten
>1d100 for Jethoden
>1d100 for Ristol

If you elect to hurl frag grenades, each marine may use up to two each for a +10 bonus per grenade. Unless stated otherwise I will assume you use 2 each for a +20 bonus each.

Please also state your orders for Astelion.
>Head to the rooftop
>Other deployment?

>have the crippled marine guard the exit, rather than retreat. he may not walk but he can still shoot correct?
Indeed. Mevar will stand (sit) guard at the lift after dragging himself back.

>>4547230
side question
is it possible to have one of the inq's men fetch all but 1 grenades of each type from the crippled marine to bolster the supply?

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>4547230
>>1d100 for Asten

>>4547250
It is. Artemis can leave Mevar with one frag and one krak.

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>4547230
Ristol

>>4547230
>Please also state your orders for Astelion.
i would say head to rooftop but also i want a quick assesment what we are dealing with. What sort of cult? maybe a quick interrogation of a wounded but not dead enemy. Size, disposition anything

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>4547230
Jethoden as noone else seems to want to roll for him

Rolled 77, 91 = 168 (2d100)

>>4547253
>>4547257
>>4547267
"Grenades!" Asten barks and the marines grasp their frags in unison, pulling the pins and hurling the explosives in a high arc towards the cultists.

Your men have their eye in. Asten's grenades land neatly into an autocannon nest before detonating and killing several cultists. Jethoden's grenades bounce high off the metal stairs leading up to the cathedral's main entrance, sending shrapnel through cultists as they explode in a shower of metal.

Fittingly for the demolition specialist, Ristol is able to guide his explosives right towards the missile nest where one erupts right next to the ammo stack. A colossal explosion flashes so bright that for one brief moment proper light returns to the entire floor. A great column of flame plumes up as a large crater is blown from the defences, sending at least a dozen cultists flying in all directions in several pieces.

The lethally accurate grenade salvo has neutralised some of the biggest threats, and Asten counts maybe 40 cultists remaining as they man the positions and unleash a fusillade of fire upon the rooftop.

>>4547263
The cultists are clad in a dull blackish-red armour and emblazoned with symbols. There seems to be no other activity outside of the cathedral. Artemis along with Ostron and his team have reached the base of this building.

>>4547289
The cultists have been badly shaken by the brutal marine attack, way beyond anything they're accustomed to. The return fire they can muster by the time they reach their positions is panicky and inaccurate, bullets ricocheting off the buildings' frontal facade uselessly.

The only potential issue is the thumping autocanno as it punches heavy shells straight through the hab structure, chewing apart beams and concrete and posing a potential risk to the remaining integrity of the already half-collapsed hab block.

>Remain on the roof and fire again, while bringing Artemis & the Inquisition up as well
>Remain on the roof and fire again, while Artemis & the Inquisition stay at the bottom
>Abandon the roof, regroup with Artemis & the Inquisition at the bottom
>Other/Alternative?

>>4547298
>>Abandon the roof, regroup with Artemis & the Inquisition at the bottom
Time to rush them while they're still dazed from the overwhelming firepower we just deployed.

>>4547298
get one marine to snipe the autocannon.

no regroup, close in before they can muster a coordinated defense

>>4547333
that's fine too

Rolled 14, 42 = 56 (2d100)

>>4547310
>>4547333
>>4547347
Please roll
>1d100 for targeting Autocannon. [Target 40 + 10 (Elevated Position) = 50]
>1d100 for Tactical Advance [Target 60]

I am rolling 2d100 for enemy suppressive fire. [Targets 15 and 35 respectively]

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>4547359
>>1d100 for targeting Autocannon. [Target 40 + 10 (Elevated Position) = 50]

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>4547359
>>1d100 for Tactical Advance [Target 60]

>>4547359
>>4547363
>>4547365
Asten takes aim and lets lose a burst of well-controlled shots at the autocannon emplacement, felling several crewmembers and interrupting the cultists' attempts to load and retrain the large weapon.

The three marines descend down through the building fast, smashing open the ground floor doors and spreading out into a pristine arrowhead formation towards the cathedral ahead. Autogun fire scatters off their power armour as they move across the open space, and Artemis moves up the left flank with the inquisitorial squad.

"Cover to cover!" Asten yells as the advancing marines move rapidly between piles of broken metal and collapsed masonry, laying down bursts of boltfire into the cultists and picking off any foolish enough to expose themselves above their cover.

Unfortunately some malevolent force seems to guide the enemys' fire and one of the Crusaders is struck by a burst of heavy stubber fire, several of the large shells avoiding his shield and tearing into his body and felling him. Artemis braces his weapon as the inquisitorial unit duck into cover, laying down a fusilade with his heavy bolter that tears the offending heavy stubber position to shreds.

Asten, Jethoden and Ristol keep pushing forwards and vault over the first defensive lines, massacring the cultists within as their autogun fire pings off power armour in a cacophony of noise. Only then does the enemy autocannon thump into life with a replacement crew, sending three heavy shells square into Ristol as he finishes off the nearest few cultists. The shells chew through the Veterans' power armour and shatter his ribcage, spraying blood and pieces across the twisted metal surroundings as he spins to the floor.

Artemis swings his heavy bolter around and buries the autocannon in a fusilade of heavy bolts, before an angered Asten and Jethoden vault the next series of ramshackle barriers and gun down the cultists with bursts of boltgun fire. A group of cultists flee behind another barricade as they prep grenades of their own, but Asten and Jethoden switch to their Kraken bolts and send a few bursts straight through the plasteel barricades and felling the cultists immediately.

Blood pours down the cathedral steps as the vengeful marines move from barricade to barricade, methodically picking apart the cultist defences while any that attempt to escape their embedded positions is blown apart by a burst of heavy fire from Artemis.

Soon enough the work is done, the cultist defences torn apart as the heavy metal gates of the cathedral and dragged shut even as Asten lets loose a few bolts at those inside. Artemis and the Inquisitorial group regroup with Asten and Jethoden outside the cathedrals' front gate, after checking on Ristols' body.

"Ristol has activated the Hibernator." Artemis grunts, the melta bombs on his belt now.

>Immediately breach the main gate open with a melta bomb and clear the immediate area.
>Scout around the exterior of the cathedral
>Other

I'm going to finish for the night myself so make your choices and I will continue tomorrow.

Thanks!

>>4547448
>>Immediately breach the main gate open with a melta bomb and clear the immediate area.
LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>4547455
>>4547448
agree with lyk, we should not give them time to prepare for the assault

ofc have the inquistorial dudes get all grenades from Ristol and have two of the least important ones pull him to relative safety, if possible ot the other marine behind.

Rolled 5, 61 = 66 (2d100)

>>4548384
>>4547455
Please roll
>1d100 for Asten (Target 60)
>1d100 for Jethoden (Target 55)
>1d100 for Artemis (Target 40)

Total Degrees of Success determine damage done. Artemis' degrees of success count double due to his Heavy Bolter - unwieldy but lethal.

I am rolling:
>1. Defensive Tactics [Target 40 -10 (Rushed) = 30]
>2. Willpower to resist breach shock. [Target 35 + 10 (Zealots) = 45]

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>4548469
>>1d100 for Asten (Target 60)

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>4548469
>>1d100 for Jethoden (Target 55)

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>4548469
>>1d100 for Artemis (Target 40)

Rolled 46, 67 = 113 (2d100)

>>4548469
>>4548482
>>4548492
>>4548493

The massive cathedral doors explode inwards in a blaze of searing melta-fire, sending shockwaves of heat into the vaulted interior a fraction of a moment before the three Astartes charge in through the splintering wood. The Cultists have thrown together an effective defensive formation very quickly, but even their best tactics are not enough to help them endure the onslaught.

Waiting for the Astartes inside are several groups of cultist defenders in cover behind furniture, masonry and other detritus across the massive interior of the cathedral. Some high up in marble choir balconies while others contend with the Astartes at ground level behind makeshift barriers and piles of sandbags.

Jethoden's bolter sprays down a group of cultists taking cover behind metal pews, his Kraken bolts punching straight through their cover and turning them into shredded pulp. Artemis's heavy bolter roars and chews apart masonry as he destroys a heavy stubber team in a small balcony above.

Sergeant Asten though leads the way, his boltgun taking out a large group of cultists with a series of gruesome detonations as they attempt to run across the main floor of the cathedral.

In just a few moments the remaining defenders have been reduced by half and those that remain are too shellshocked and stunned to retort with anything more than some scattered innaccurate fire that ricochets off the thick stone walls of the cathedral.

>>4548555
The three Astartes move in quickly as Ostron and his team follow, the mortals quickly moving left from the entrance to get behind cover before the dust from the melta bombs has settles.

"The altar!" Ostron bellows and points to the far, far end of the cathedral where a large hooded figure stands atop a marble altar - its adornments melted into new heretical forms and the once pristine white stone bathed in blood. Around him are a ring of kneeling cultists chanting some blasphemous filth at an ever increasing crescendo, cutting their own throats open one by one as a vivid red light seems to beam and glow from the leader. "With each sacrifice they get closer to the other side! Nairn!" Ostron yells to his mysterious robed comrade who kneels down behind cover and starts to summon some ethereal powers as a babble of spiritual chants hum from his lips, his eyes glowing blue and energy crackling from his body. The distant alter's red glow stutters and flashes, reacting erratically to Nairn's attempts to nullify and delay the dark priests' ritual. "

Simultaneously you hear heavy doors slam open from beneath, masses of cultists streaming out from the cathedrals' underground crypts. Without armour or true arms, dozens - perhaps hundreds - of crazed human men, women and even children scream litanies to the dark gods from twisted snarling visages, their flesh deformed by their foul faith as burning red eyes focus on the Astartes. "Kill kill kill! Kill kill kill!" they chant and screech and snarl like animals as the dark priests' frenzied chanting spurs them on, and holding aloft an assortment of knifes, pistols and other crude weapons they charge the Astartes with reckless abandon and disregard.

"Death to the False Emperor!" the remaining armed cultists below as they mount their positions and open fire with their autoguns and shotguns, the entire enemy force intent on your destruction.

>Focus fire on the altar, trusting your close combat skills do deal with the mob
>Focus fire on the mob, trusting Nairn to delay it long enough for you to deal with the rabble
>Other/Alternative

>>4548589
>"With each sacrifice they get closer to the other side! Nairn!"
Is Nairn killing them to stop it?

>>4548589
focus fire on the altar, but occasionally use frag grenades on the mob and the "sacrifices" should those be lumped together.
Try to lob a krak grenade on the altar to destroy it

as soon as the mob closes in, one astartes and the crusaders should shield Naim

>>4548599
Nairn is casting a counter spell that is delaying the dark priest and nullifying the effects of each sacrifice. Only a critical success would allow him to reverse what has already been done but if successful in his battle of wills he could delay the ritual extensively.

>>4548600
>and the "sacrifices" should those be lumped together.
Do not kill the sacrifices.
Dying is kinda what they want and Nairn doesn't seem to do it despite it being so easy.
Break their arms or something but don't kill them.

Rolled 1, 54 = 55 (2d100)

>>4548599
>>4548600
>>4548609
To clarify, you will focus fire on the altar and the priest but not the sacrifices.

You will also throw some frag grenades at the mob as best you can.

Please roll:
>1d100 for Focused Fire on Altar [Targets 70, 40, 10 (Base skill 20 per marine. +10 bonus for heavy bolter)]
>1d100 for Secondary Fire on Mob [Targets 50, 20 (Base skill 10 per marine. +20 for using remaining frags)]
>1d100 for Nairn [Skill 50. Opposed to Dark Priest]

I am rolling
>1. Dark Priest [Skill 50]
>2. The Powers Beyond....

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>4549597
>>1d100 for Focused Fire on Altar [Targets 70, 40, 10 (Base skill 20 per marine. +10 bonus for heavy

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>4549597
>>1d100 for Secondary Fire on Mob [Targets 50, 20 (Base skill 10 per marine. +20 for using remaining frags)]

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>4549597
>>1d100 for Nairn [Skill 50. Opposed to Dark Priest]

File: Imperial Fist.jpg (283 KB, 1920x1080)

283 KB JPG

>>4549597
>>4549599
>>4549606
>>4549621
"The altar!" Asten bellows as he and his marines level their weapons. Bolts fly at the marble structure, detonating just inches from the surface of the dark priest as his tainted shield sparks into life. Great chunks of marble are torn away in the onslaught and Artemis' heavy bolter obliterates the handful of more elite cultists attempting to guard their dark priest. Even as he continues firing with one hand Asten grasps one of his krak grenades with the other, hurling the explosive clear across the cathedral where it strikes the marble altar neatly at its base. The shaped charge detonates with a thunderous clap that pulps the altar to rubble, the dark priest hurled into the air in a burst of stone shrapnel and the ethereal glowing corona dies in a flash of light.

The incensed mob charges and screams like possessed monsters, running between and over the cathedral pews as frag grenades roll beneath their feet. Detonations and bursts of shrapnel are suppressed by sheer mass of flesh as each grenade sends a plume of gore and dismembered body parts flying into the air, the cultists utterly disregarding their own lives as they push on. Just as Asten's krak grenade explodes they are upon the marines, tearing and hacking and attacking with every weapon they could bring to bear.

Ristol is beset first as he tries to withdraw over a fallen pew. His boltgun chatters quickly to bring down the first handful but his magazine runs dry and dozens of insane cultists charge into him, their knives and blades rebounding off his armour as he slashes back with his combat knife and cuts them apart. The rising tide of fanatics overwhelms Risol in sheer weight of bodies, dragging him down as he flails his arms furiously, crushing skulls and shattering limbs. But even as they die the cultists to not relent and chainblades hack into his armour joints. Sergeant Asten tries to go to Ristol's aid and with his power sword in hand he hacks the cultists to pieces until gore and blood bathe Ristol's supine body, his knees already ripped apart by hacking chainblades. Asten tries to drag his injured brother up before half a dozen crazed cultists wearing explosive vests make their move.

"No!" Ristol's last act is to push his Brother-Sergeant away before the bombers leap upon him and explode with the force of a cannon shell. Asten is hurled away by the force the blast, crushing several cultists as he lands upon the blood-slicked stone.

File: Space Marines fighting daemons.jpg (161 KB, 535x730)

161 KB JPG

>>4550475

Asten leaps back onto his feet and with rage on his lips the Sergeant's power sword crackles and swings it in a wide arc, bisecting at least half a dozen crazed cultists attempting to drag him back down. A sharp pain spasms through the marine's leg as a crawling cultist stabs into his knee-joint with a chain knife, before Asten obliterates the offending heretics' head with a furious stomp. His boltgun blazes and fells most of the remaining armed cultist soldiers as their autogun fire pings off his chestplace, before a mother and child laden with grenades attempt to leap upon him from over an overturned pew. Asten's boltgun chatters and blows them apart in mid-air before he sees Artemis being dragged down by a dozen screaming fanatics.

A few well-placed boltgun rounds blows apart the cultists clinging to the stalwart marine, finally giving Artemis the breathing space to level his heavy bolter. With a squeeze of the large trigger his massive weapon sings a cacophony of death, heavy shells tearing into the mob from just feet away and plowing through multiple cultists before exploding so forcefully that the heretics seem to just disintegrate. Like wheat before a scythe the mob is ripped to shreds by Artemis' chattering heavy bolter, the marine sweeping it from side to side. Even the hardened Veteran Sergeant Asten finds the slaughter distasteful as decrepit malnourished men, women and children are butchered in the most gruesome sense of the word, leaving only a vast mangled pool of gore, corpses, and the hideously maimed & dismembered still groaning out desperate pleas to their dark gods.

For the briefest of moments Asten dares to hope the mission has been accomplished, silence falling upon the cathedral for just a moment. But a sickening scream fills the great stone hall. "Nairn!" Ostron yells as the psykers' eyes and mouth burn with crimson flames. The remaining Crusader does not hesitate, raising his sword to deliver an execution strike, but Nairn's fist punches out and sends a sharp column of baleful flame straight through the crusaders' chest. Ostron and the techpriest back away as Asten and Artemis turn their attention to this new devilry, and what was once Nairn screams angrily through a mouth engulfed in flames.

"MY ASCENSION WILL NOT BE STALLED!" The twisted psyker bellows in an ethereal echoing voice, his skin crackling and splitting as vivid burning channels of energy arc across his body, His body begins expanding, crimson flesh breaching through his former skin as twisted horns protrude from his skull, hands stretching out into claws as a hideous transformation continues unabated.

"Curse you!" Ostron spits as he and the techpriest back away towards the cathedral door, and the Interrogator begins to chant hallowed cants as he reaches into his pack.

>>4550478
Veteran Sergeant Asten's keen mind presents him his most promising options in but a fraction of a second:
>Asten & Artemis attack with ranged fire with boltgun and heavy bolter
>Asten & Artemis engage in melee with power sword and combat knife
>Asten engages in melee with power sword, Artemis pulls back and sets melta bombs to collapse the cathedral.

>>4550475
>>4550478
Error. Please replace all instances of 'Risol' with 'Jethoden'.

Jethoden is the dead marine.

>>4550479
>Asten engages in melee with power sword, Artemis pulls back and sets melta bombs to collapse the cathedral.

We must not let this vile filth corrupt the Emperor's holy temple further! Let the cathedral itself be a weapon itself against the Dark Gods!

Loving the story btw, wish I could've come sooner!

>>4551463
Sure why not

>>4551463
>wish I could've come sooner
Anti slaanesh measures already engaged I see.

Rolled 57, 44, 72 = 173 (3d100)

>>4551463
Hi Zippy good to see you!
>>4551754
>>4551851
"Artemis! Collapse the cathedral!" Asten yells and his brother does not hesitate, dragging Jethodens' body behind him as he withdraws

"Brother Sergeant!" Ostron calls out as Asten slings his boltgun, before the Interrogator pulls a glowing Rosarius from around his neck and lobs it to the Astartes. Asten catches the large talisman in his free hand, wrapping the chain around his wrist securely before charging into the fray. Ostron sends his techpriest to help Artemis before the Interrogator pulls out a large silver aquila and bottle of sanctified oils from his pack.

"Raargh!" The twisted psyker snarls as Asten charges, its corruption and transformation still undergoing bit-by-bit. Its burning mouth opens several times larter than should be possible and sends forth a billow of ethereal flame, but the sacred Rosarius in Astens' hand shines bright and casts aside the flame. The possessed monster growls like a beast, its claws outstretching as it prepares to take Asten on in close combat.

Sergeant Asten
>HP: 50/50
>Weapon Skill: 50
>Damage: 1d10+8

Possessed Nairn (Level 1)
>HP: 40/40
>Weapon Skill: 40
>Damage: 2d10

Please roll:
>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]
>1d100 for Asten's defence [Weapon Skill: 50]
>1d100 for Ostrons' Sanctic ritual [Target, must beat corruption roll]

I am rolling:
>2d100 for Possessed Nairn's attack [Weapon Skill: 40]
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's defence [Weapon Skill: 40]
>1d100 for Ongoing Corruption

>>4552027
>2d100 for Possessed Nairn's attack [Weapon Skill: 40]
Incorrect only the first 1d100 is for nairn's attack

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>4552027
Rollan for sum Sanctic rituals.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>4552027
>>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>4552027
>>1d100 for Asten's defence [Weapon Skill: 50]

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>4552027
>>Damage: 1d10+8

Rolled 5, 8 = 13 (2d10)

>>4552027
>>4552032
>>4552046
>>4552057
>Asten's attack: 15pts success. Nairn's defence: 4 pts failure.
Roll 1d10+8 for damage

>Nairn's attack: 17pts failure. Asten's defence. 30pts failure
I am rolling 2d10 for nairn's damage

Ostron's holy chants and sanctified oils burn the screeching Nairn as his corrupted form tries to erupt from its mortal body, the Interrogators' hallowed ritual suppressing the psyker's further corruption.

Rolled 62, 39, 31 = 132 (3d100)

>>4552064
>>4552060
A vicious series of blows are exchanged between the Astartes and the possessed creature, Asten's Rosarius flaring and shielding him from Nairn's baleflames as claws spark against crackling power blade.

With a flash of red claws Nairn tears right through Asten's flank armour, cutting deep into the astartes' ribs. But Asten replies in kind and plunges his blade through Nairn's chest, eliciting a scream from the possessing spirit as its mortal vessel is damaged and bright white flames burst from its wound.


Sergeant Asten
>HP: 37/50
>Weapon Skill: 50
>Damage: 1d10+8

Possessed Nairn (Level 1)
>HP: 30/40
>Weapon Skill: 40
>Damage: 2d10

Please roll:
>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]
>1d100 for Asten's defence [Weapon Skill: 50]
>1d100 for Ostrons' Sanctic ritual [Target, must beat corruption roll. Gains +10 bonus for prior high success]

I am rolling:
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's attack [Weapon Skill: 40]
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's defence [Weapon Skill: 40]
>1d100 for Ongoing Corruption

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>4552071
Maintain the ritual. Hold!

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>4552071
>>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>4552071
>>1d100 for Asten's defence [Weapon Skill: 50]
Rolling because hi pussied out, everything bad is his fault everything good is my achievement

>>4552071
>>4552075
>>4552076
>>4552098
>Asten's attack, 49pts success. Nairn's defence, 1pt sucess.
Critical success. Please roll 1d10+8 *twice* for damage.

>Nairn's attack, 22pts failure. Asten's defence, 29pts success.
Failed

Ostrons' chanting rises like a crescendo, filling the cathedral with words of holy power as he sprays sanctified oils across the melee, burning and searing Nairn's corrupted form as the dark priests' spirit screams in agonised pain. Despite the warp's best efforts to break free into the mortal realm it finds itself beaten back by the hallowed powers of the God-Emperor.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>4552102
>1d10+8

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4552102
Rollin other 1d10+8

Rolled 98, 43 = 141 (2d100)

>>4552105
>>4552113
As Ostrons' channelled sanctity sears, burns and deforms the possessed Nairn Asten gains the upper hand in their furious struggle. After battering the twisted creature back with his shoulder Asten's sword crackles and flashes, tearing off Nairn's left arm and a huge chunk of shoulder with a brutal downward slice.

Sergeant Asten
>HP: 37/50
>Weapon Skill: 50
>Damage: 1d10+8

Possessed Nairn (Level 1)
>HP: 6/40
>Weapon Skill: 40
>Damage: 2d10

Enraged by the searing pain caused by Ostrons' sanctified oils and sacred chants, the foul creature turns its attention to the mortal Interrogator, recklessly exposing itself to Asten in its determination to end its torment.

>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]
>1d100 for Ostrons' Sanctic ritual to defend himself from baleflame [Target, versus baleflame roll.]

I am rolling
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's attack on Ostron [Weapon Skill: 40]
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's baleflame

Note that you are always free to propose alternatives and ask for alternative possibilities.

>>4552125
>>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]
He's nearly dead, let's just not fail this one, 49 is fine.

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>4552128

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>4552125
Rollan sanctic ritual of protection.

Rolled 14, 20 = 34 (2d100)

>>4552125
>>4552128
>>4552134
>>4552137
The possessed Nairn's savaged body disengages from Asten and leaps at the Interrogator, claws flashing as Nairn's large silver aquila blocks and parries as best he can manage. Billowing baleflame surges from Nairn's corrupted body as Nairn tries to beat him away and Asten rushes to help. The severely weakened dark spirit cannot summon the same intensity of blaze that felled the Crusader, but a wave of cursed fire hurls Ostron back against the cathedral wall, burning his armour and skin.

The wounded beast has proven itself dangerous, its severed arm already starting to regrow in the absence of Ostrons' chants and sacitifed oil. But Asten still has the upper hand in martial prowess and his Rosarius protects him from the monster's baleflame. But for now at least the dark powers are distracted by trying to repair what has already been destroyed, rather than mutate any further.

"Charges set Brother!" Artemis calls over the vox as Nairn's claws flash out towards Asten once more.

Please roll:
>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]
>1d100 for Asten's defence [Weapon Skill: 50]
Or you can choose to detonate the charges at any point.

I am rolling:
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's attack [Weapon Skill: 40]
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's defence [Weapon Skill: 40]

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>4552150
Rollan to defend against this shiet.

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>4552150
>>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2ASM6Om2nc

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4552150
>>4552152
>>4552164
>Asten's attack, 16pts fail. Nairn's defence, 20pts success
Failed

>Nairn's attack, 26pts success. Asten's defence 25pts success
Extremely minor success. Rolling 1d10 for damage.

Rolled 24, 30 = 54 (2d100)

>>4552168
"Argh!" Asten grunts as Nairn's claws rake down his arm, tearing through ceramite and shredding flesh. The Astartes fights desperately against the twisted Nairn, a daemonic face bursting through the cracked burning skin on the head as whirling baleflame and foul powers surround the emerging darkness from the warp. From the brink of death the monster is coming back, its body stitching itself back together. Asten can tell it won't be long before it renews its attempts to keep mutating.


Sergeant Asten
>HP: 29/50
>Weapon Skill: 50
>Damage: 1d10+8

Possessed Nairn (Level 1)
>HP: 11/40
>Weapon Skill: 40
>Damage: 2d10

Please roll:
>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]
>1d100 for Asten's defence [Weapon Skill: 50]
Or you can choose to detonate the charges at any point.
Asten may choose to forgo his defence roll in exchange for a +20 bonus to his attack roll.

I am rolling:
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's attack [Weapon Skill: 40]
>1d100 for Possessed Nairn's defence [Weapon Skill: 40]

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>4552181
>>1d100 for Asten's attack [Weapon Skill: 50]
>Asten may choose to forgo his defence roll in exchange for a +20 bonus to his attack roll.
Fucking headbutt him.
He can't kill us if he has no cranium.

Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d10)

>>4552184
>>4552181
>Asten's attack, 46 pts success. Nairn's defence. 10pts success
Roll 1d10+8 damage

>Nairn's attack, 16pts success. Asten's defence, N/A.
Rolling 2d10 for his damage

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4552187
>Roll 1d10+8 damage

File: Astartes psyker btfo.gif (2.21 MB, 480x218)

2.21 MB GIF

>>4552188
>>4552187
Asten roars in defiance as his dripping crimson blood clots even before it can drip from his grey armour, the Veteran Sergeant risking all on a brutal assault in disregard of Nairn's vicious warp claws.

So surprised by the Astartes' ferocity is the possessed creature that its flailing claws only land some minor scrapes and slashes against his chest and arms. "FOR THE EMPEROR!" Asten bellows above even the noises of swiling flame as he plunges his blade clean through the daemons' midriff, before lifting the monster off its feet by the blade and smashing his armoured head into Nairn's with all his might. The corrupted creatures' skull collapses with a sickening wet squelch, flame and sparks bursting from the shattered bones and flesh before Asten pushes the corpse from his blade in disgust.

After taking only a moment to savour his victory Asten rushes to the fallen Ostron. Without the Interrogator's purity and his abilities to channel it the Sergeant most certainly would've been overwhelmed by a more rapidly mutating Nairn, and Asten is pleased to find Ostron alive but badly burned.

"Brother!" Artemis grunts from the cathedral entrance, a detonator in his hand as Nairn's broken body starts trembling and sparking, flames crackling and billowing from the monster's rent flesh. Asten hauls Ostron over his shoulder and runs, power armoured boots thumping against the stone floor. Just as soon as the Sergeant passes the great archway does Artemis smash the button, melta charges erupting around the cathedral's exteror before the great masses stone come falling down in a great hurricane of dust and rubble. Nairn, the remnants of the corrupted altar, and the maimed wounded cultists that remained within the field of gore are all crushed as one by countless tons of Imperial masonry, with an echoing boom that seems to fill the entire miles-wide hive floor like some terrible earthquake.

Artemis and Asten watch the crumbled rubble, boltgun and heavy bolter ready as the techpriest holds Ostron in his mechanderites. Finally the rubble and dust settles and a beautiful silence falls over the cold, stone & metal artificial environment.

"It is done then." Artemis grunts.

"Aye." Asten replies, the Veteran Sergeant sheathing his power sword. "Let's move out. Our Brothers and the Interrogator need attention. The Inquisitor Lord will want to know what happened here...."

>>4552217
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>++++++
>Inquisitor Lord Harkon Braulasz.
>Nobis Report #3391.
>Mission Status - Success.
>KIA: 1 Astartes; 1 Psyker; 2 Crusaders.
>Summary:
>- Ozeak Cult #49 terminated with extreme prejudice
>- Ghosts of Retribution exhibit wilful resistance to spiritual corruption, confirmed viable for requisition in Ordo Malleus activities
>- Interrogator Ostron Gaun successfully halts daemonic ascension with sanctic ritual, recommended to the Conclave for immediate promotion to Inquisitor
>++++++
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for taking part in this little side mission. I hope some enjoyment was had and you all have a good weekend.

Stay tuned here for news of when the next normal session of Chapter Master Quest will be held
>https://twitter.com/ChapterMasterQ
>https://chapterquest.fandom.com/wiki/Next_Session
Thread archived here:
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Ghosts%20of%20Retribution

>>4552220
>>- Ghosts of Retribution exhibit wilful resistance to spiritual corruption, confirmed viable for requisition in Ordo Malleus activities
I guess we passed.