Talnior, Chapter Master of the Watchtower, is a Heretek Chosen by Prophesy (yes, literally).
The nature of Talnior's equipment is not, in fact, particularly divergent from that of the everyday Battle-Brother - Astartes-grade power armor and a bolt rifle fitted with a bayonet. However, it is the modifications he has made that set his equipment apart: the servos of his armor have been tuned up to permit significantly faster movement and reactions despite the significantly-thickened plating, and two Forge Bolters have been mounted on it for additional fire rates, while his personal bolt rifle - the Eye of Death - has been enlarged and reworked to allow for a higher rate of fire with larger ammunition as well as an increased effective range. Additionally, to serve his heretekal ways, Talnior is equipped with numerous servo-arms, with a toolbox/arsenal second only to the Master of the Forge's servo-harness.
I like what glass has except for the one thing.
+1
Sure, +1.
+1
You are
Talnior, Chapter Master of
The Watchtower. Months ago, you were a true
Heretek, a veteran Techmarine among veteran Techmarines and assumed that if you were in-line to inherit any position, it would be Master of the Forge. Ultimately, you had no further ambition than to refine your craft and test them on new, exciting enemies of mankind until the inevitable day when one got the better of you. Alas, it appears the Prognosticators have other plans in mind and in a twist of causality, you now find yourself
Chosen by Fate at the head of the Chapter, and with it, at the command of a menacing armada and ten companies of power armoured, transhuman warriors eager to take their bolter rifles into any battlefield, forgotten ruin or farflung rock that you should desire. You need only say the word. The notion of artifacts at your disposal leaves you salivating behind your helmet but you remind yourself that overconfidence is deadlier than any assassin's blade. The previous Chapter Master, Zaphiel, was a mighty warrior who knew no equal and yet he failed to return from his expedition into Antwir's depths, as vulnerable as any mortal. You'll do what you can to avoid meeting the same fate.
You idly stroke the Eye of Death's stock, a familiar reassurance in an unsure reality. It is slung at your side, never more than a moment beyond reach, and with it is your armour- a Terran foot of ceramite backed by servomotors gutted and overtuned to madness, and augmented further still by the forge bolters embedded into either shoulder. Even your flesh hasn't been spared the technosurgeon's scalpel. A hulking servo-arm fused into each shoulder, with the strength to crumple even adamantine if strained. You are a walking arsenal and yet you cannot help but feel you could reach more. In your stomach burns and boils the urge to innovate, dismantle the Imperium's wrongs and reforge them into glories anew! You are confident in yourself, in your Chapter. Of the auxiliaries, their flesh so soft and weak, you are less so but they, too, can be improved in time. Your reverie is broken by the voice of a mortal.
"CHAPTER MASTER, SIRE!" You rap your knuckles on the chair and turn to look down.
A slender man in fatigues holding a bundle of scrolls. You sigh. The job may have its perks but paperwork is not among them.
There are three major stockpiles you need to keep track of. These are-
Population: How numerous a given settlement is, be it planetside, a satellite, or on a vessel itself. These are used to fill the ranks of your auxiliaries, colonize worlds, and more. These are generally self-sustaining at a low baseline depending on their location but require Resources to grow or improve their living standards.
Resources: An abstraction of the minerals, alloys, and countless tiny bits and pieces that go into every aspect of managing an empire. These are used for the manufacture and maintenance of goods, ranging from lowly autoguns to world-spanning foundries. A pool of Resources are produced by each Population, more depending on their tier of technology, which can then be tithed to acquire a portion of for the Chapter's use. By default, 10% of Resources produced are tithed. This can be increased. Refineries of various types, manufactorums, forges, artisanal guilds, and more, are capable of refining Resources to multiply their value depending on their tier.
Loyalty: A broad rating, ranging from 1-to-100, of how loyal a given settlement is to you and your Chapter. 1, on the brink of violent revolt at the slightest provocation, 100, nigh-suicidal in fervent devotion. If Loyalty is low, BAD events are likelier to happen. If Loyalty is high, GOOD events are likelier to happen. Because the galaxy is grim and dark, the possibility for BAD events is never completely gone, nor is the possibility of GOOD events guaranteed. For planets under the Imperium, this is called Faith, and those lost to Chaos, this is called Corruption.
These are each processed on a monthly basis, and each Terran month can be considered equivalent to a turn. If necessary, several turns can be taken at once but occasionally, events or discoveries will require your personal attention.
System #1: [Feudal World 1/1] (Tier 2)
[Feudal World 1/1]:
Population: 11 Million
Resources: +22, [+2]
Loyalty: 32
Garrison: N/A
Refineries: N/A
System #5: [Feral World 5/4] (Tier 1), [Civilized World 5/5] (Tier 3)
[Feral World 5/4]:
Population: 3 Million
Resources: +3, [+.3]
Loyalty: 20
Garrison: N/A
Refineries: N/A
[Civilized World 5/5]:
Population: 276 Million
Resources: +828, [+82.8]
Loyalty: 56
Garrison: 108 units of Conscript Auxiliaries, (25,000 men, Crude Autoguns, Fatigues)(Under Local Control)
Refineries: Large Crude Manufactorum, (Tier 3) (60 Resources into 180)
System #7: [Xenos World 7/2] (Tier 1), [Feral World 7/3] (Tier 1)
[Xenos World 7/2]:
Population: 10 Million (Gremlins)
Resources: +10, [+1]
Loyalty: 2
Garrison: N/A
Refineries: N/A
[Feral World 7/3]:
Population: 4 Million
Resources: +4, [+0.4]
Loyalty: 29
Garrison: N/A
Refineries: N/A
System #10: [Xenos World 10/2] (Tier ?)
[Xenos World 10/2]:
Population: ? ? ?
Resources: ? ? ?
Loyalty: N/A
Garrison: ? ? ?
Refineries: ? ? ?
System #13: [Feral World 13/3] (Tier 1)
[Feral World 13/3]:
Population: 4 Million
Resources: +4, [+0.4]
Loyalty: 59
Garrison: N/A
Refineries: N/A
System #14: [Death World 14/2- Antwir] (Tier 3), [Feudal World 14/4] (Tier 2)
[Death World 14/2- Antwir]:
Population: 20 Million (Antwir)
Resources: +60, [+6]
Loyalty: 20+50, 70
Garrison: 16 units of Antwir Auxiliaries, (25,000 men- Crude Autoguns, Fatigues)(-1.6 Resources)
Refineries: Large Forges of the Fortress-Monastery, (Tier 5) (60 Resources into 300)
[Feudal World 14/4]:
Population: 10 Million
Resources: +20, [+2]
Loyalty: 58
Garrison: N/A
Refineries: N/A
System #16: [Feral World 16/2] (Tier 1), [Feudal World 16/5] (Tier 2)
[Feral World 16/2]:
Population: 3 Million
Resources: +3, [+0.3]
Loyalty: 30
Garrison: N/A
Refineries: N/A
[Feudal World 16/5]:
Population: 6 Million
Resources: +12, [+1.2]
Loyalty: 48
Tithed Resources: +96.4
Refined Resources: +409.2, (Refineries not operating at full capacity)
Resource Expenditures: -2,024.6 per month
Total Income: -1,591.8 per month
Resources Stored: 4,842 (Fortress-Monastery)
1st Unnamed Battle Barge (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 250,000
Transporting: Companies 1-3, 2 units of Antwir Auxiliaries (-0.2 Resources)
Resources Consumed: -500 per month
2nd Unnamed Battle Barge (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 250,000
Transporting: Companies 4-6, 2 units of Antwir Auxiliaries (-0.2 Resources)
Resources Consumed: -500 per month
1st Unnamed Strike Cruiser (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 50,000
Resources Consumed: -125 per month
2nd Unnamed Strike Cruiser (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 50,000
Resources Consumed: -125 per month
3rd Unnamed Strike Cruiser (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 50,000
Resources Consumed: -125 per month
4th Unnamed Strike Cruiser (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 50,000
Resources Consumed: -125 per month
5th Unnamed Strike Cruiser (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 50,000
Resources Consumed: -125 per month
6th Unnamed Strike Cruiser (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 50,000
Resources Consumed: -125 per month
1st Unnamed Gladius Frigate (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 20,000
Resources Consumed: -40 per month
2nd Unnamed Gladius Frigate (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 20,000
Resources Consumed: -40 per month
3rd Unnamed Gladius Frigate (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 20,000
Resources Consumed: -40 per month
1st Unnamed Nova Frigate (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 20,000
Resources Consumed: -40 per month
2nd Unnamed Nova Frigate (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 20,000
Resources Consumed: -40 per month
3rd Unnamed Nova Frigate (Currently in orbit of Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Crew: 20,000
Resources Consumed: -40 per month
Chapter Master:
Talnior (-1 Resources)
Chaplaincy:
Unnamed, Master of Sanctity (-0.1 Resources)
5 Reclusiarchs (-0.1 Resources)
15 Chaplains (-0.2 Resources)
5 Chaplain-Aspirants (-0.1 Resources)
Circle of Prognosticators:
Unnamed, High Prognosticator (-0.1 Resources)
30 Prognosticators (-0.3 Resources)
12 Prognosticator-Aspirants (-0.1 Resources)
Armoury:
Unnamed, Master of The Forge (-1 Resources)
47 Techmarines (-5 Resources)
1st Company: (Currently in 1st Unnamed Battle Barge)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
100 Veteran Marines (-1 Resources)
2nd Company: (Currently in 2nd Unnamed Battle Barge)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
2 Veteran Marines (-0.1 Resources)
98 Marines (-0.9 Resources)
3rd Company: (Currently in 3rd Unnamed Battle Barge)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
18 Veteran Marines (-0.2 Resources)
82 Marines (-0.8 Resources)
4th Company: (Currently in 4th Unnamed Battle Barge)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
12 Veteran Marines (-0.1 Resources)
88 Marines (-0.9 Resources)
5th Company: (Currently in 5th Unnamed Battle Barge)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
24 Veteran Marines (-0.2 Resources)
76 Marines (-0.8 Resources)
6th Company: (Currently in 6th Unnamed Battle Barge)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
26 Veteran Marines (-0.3 Resources)
74 Marines (-0.7 Resources)
7th Company, Postcognition Corps: (Currently on Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
46 Veteran Marines (-0.5 Resources)(Marines rarely survive long enough to become Veterans here)
54 Marines (-0.5 Resources)
8th Company: (Currently at Fortress-Monastery, Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
50 Veteran Marines (-0.5 Resources)
50 Marines (-0.5 Resources)
9th Company: (Currently at Fortress-Monastery, Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
21 Veteran Marines (-0.2 Resources)
79 Marines (-0.8 Resources)
10th Company: (Currently at Fortress-Monastery, Death World 14/2- Antwir)
Unnamed, Company Captain (-0.1 Resources)
Unnamed, Company Chaplain (-0.1 Resources)
20 Veteran Marines (-0.2 Resources)
80 Scout Marines (-0.8 Resources)
55 Neophyte Marines (-0.5 Resources)
No Company: (Currently at Fortress-Monastery, Death World 14/2- Antwir)
136 Implanted Aspirants (10 years to Neophyte status) (-1.3 Resources)
44 Gene-Seed waiting for Implantation
You notice several details that require your attention. The first and most obvious is that the Chapter's fleet is devouring roughly four times the resources you're taking in tithes. Being a senior Techmarine you were of course aware of this but now that you're personally responsible for keeping them supplied, it weighs much heavier. Your predecessor accumulated a massive trove of invaluable supplies through his forays into the ruins but also through taking... tribute from the rare Imperial traffic in the more stable shipping lanes near the Nebula Sector and from scattered, less fortified and strategically relevant systems that couldn't afford the risk of challenging the fleet. Logically, you suppose it was unsavory but necessary to keep the Chapter alive, but instinctually, you feel a dark excitement at the prospect of violence that came only rarely. You suppose that's due to your Astartes impulses not being directed to monomaniacal worship of the Emperor and hatred of the enemy. The Chapter only rarely fights these days. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe that should change. You consider that keeping the fleet active and ready to retaliate against potential threats is part of the reason they're such a drain. If some of the less important vessels were mothballed their logistical strain would decline considerably. At the same time, it occurs to you that you're only collecting one-tenth of each world's output in tithes. Most are negligible one way or another but the full-yield of Civilized World #5/5 could cover almost the needs of
both Battle Barges,
before its refinement. Even so, taking a tithe of ten-tenths would likely cause a rebellion unless a bloody example was made, and you would rather not orbitally bombard your own infrastructure or waste precious Astartes lives on dispatching renegade auxiliary elements.
It is a problem that demands your attention and soon, but you turn your focus to other items of relevance. Namely, the Gremlins are about to revolt against the perceived sky-daemons any day now. Chapter Master Zaphiel was the one to discover them, and made the controversial decision to keep them alive so that they could serve mankind, more specifically the Chapter, but precious little has been done into understanding their culture and while the tiny, vile creatures seem to understand the idea of tithing, they did not seem to
agree and the uneasy peace that was made between their tribes, or what passes for them, at bolter point is disintegrating by the minute. You have no doubts whatsoever that your Chapter could put down a neolithic Xenos rebellion with contemptuous ease but restraining them from undue Xenocide would be more challenging. You personally aren't sure you don't agree but the discovery of their spores and what every Astartes knows of the Orkz has you thinking they could be vital in the future. You're not sure how the Gremlin's value system works, but perhaps giving them a meager amount of your Resources could smoothen things over? Perhaps you're looking at this wrong and you need to make an example of the worst rabble rousers to get the rest in line. It may be cruel but there is far worse than The Watchtower out there and they would do well to know it. Once you've deciphered their infernal tongue or taught them proper Low Gothic, that is.
Additionally, there
is life in System #10/2 and judging by the radio frequencies the Techmarines have gathered from the outskirts of advanced sensor range, it has reached some level of technological advancement. Listening to the thick, gelatinous smacking noises and howling snarls over the radio transcriptions themselves confirms that, whatever life is there, it is
most definitely not born of Terra. No effort has been made to translate the gibberish, let alone to approach the inner system, but you are
reasonably sure that they haven't advanced to the extent of establishing a multi-system empire. They may not even possess knowledge of the Gellar Drive but if you were to get these Xenos under your "patronage" by one means or another, you suspect their industrial output would go a fair way to solving the problem of maintaining your fleet. You aren't sure how to begin approaching them. Chapter Master Zaphiel's efforts with the Gremlins were amateurish at best but it was the best he could do or anyone could've expected of him, given that the Codex Astartes goes into no detail on diplomatic overtures.
Plenty about suppressing and cleansing populations for human habitation though, but you aren't sure that wouldn't be a lost opportunity. Out here, you need all of the help that you can get.
Xenos aside, the simple fact is that most planets have minimal, if any loyalty to you or your Chapter. Notable exceptions are the Civilized World #5/5 out of gratitude for ousting the previous regime that opted to expand corpse starch regimens to include the crippled over furthering local agriculture, and the Feudal World #14/4, whose landed aristocracy consider the Astartes to be martial paragons and have expressed great interest in giving their sons to be "knighted," but even the Death World #14/2, Antwir, is held in check by the fear of your Fortress-Monastery far more than they are genuine devotion to your cause. You estimate that much of this is due to the planets in your empire still practicing the Imperial Creed, which views you as heretical, no matter your Chaplains' doctrinal explanations, but much else is due to the Chapter's primary interaction with them after toppling their previous planetary governors being some variation of showing up to tithe valuables at bolter-point. Maybe you should take steps to improve their situation or take the easier route and let them simmer until you have the resources to help them without worrying about the ship's engines burning a hole in your Fortress-Monastery's treasury. Maybe you could make an example of their criminals, or hold some sort of propaganda campaign to get them to forget about the Imperium's rule, or better yet, to hate it.
Last, completely independent of the Chapter's logistical and diplomatic worries is the fact that exploration into the Nebula Sector has been negligible. What might be enveloped within its gases you have no idea and the fact is, by the sheer saturation of Death World #14/2 with ruins, there's no question that there aren't more within. The problem is you have no idea what might be waiting inside or if it would be worth spending the lives of your Astartes. If you were launching an expedition personally you wouldn't hesitate to plunge yourself into the unknown for a moment but as the Chapter Master, you have a responsibility to ensure the long-term survival of the Chapter, and is gambling the fleet on what could well be a miniature Eye of Terror worth it? You think back to the Imperium... There are thousands of systems in the neighboring Sectors, hundreds of them filled with life, human or otherwise, and you know that with your fleet you could take your pound of flesh and then some. The only reason the Chapter has expanded to claim direct rule was the murmurings of the Prognosticators, the closeness of the twenty-two systems they've claimed to a swathe of uncharted space, and a nonexistent Imperial Navy presence. None of those apply to the nearby Sectors. They're isolated, yes, and Chapter Master Zaphiel got by taking what was needed piecemeal from scattered, lonely worlds that had more than enough wealth to lose some for your sake, but the dangers of attracting serious attention from the Segmentum at large cannot be overstated. You're already pushing it to the brink. They're surely aware that the "Steel Sentinels" are Renegades somewhere in the broad vicinity of a dozen Sectors to here, yes, but if they knew you were actively carving out an
empire and working with Xenos, the consequences would be dire. The Imperium may be crude and savage, but they are merciless, cruel, and massive enough that the hammer of the High Lords of Terra, if swung with sufficient force, could shatter everything your gene-brothers have spent centuries working for in a matter of months.
You must take caution, at each and every step. This is no ruin that has your squad at risk. If you make a fatal mistake, The Watchtower will burn.
What are your plans for the 1st month of your rule?
For reference, it's precisely 36,133k by the Terran calendar, a couple of centuries, give or take, before the Age of Apostasy, roughly two-hundred after the Cursed Founding that saw the Steel Sentinels emerge into the galaxy and within a generation, run afoul of the High Lords of Terra. You, Talnior, are the second or third Chapter Master, depending on your perspective as to whether Chapter Master Zaphiel's predecessor, Chapter Master Caervus, who ruled for nearly two decades and was slain under mysterious circumstances during the schism counts.