Campaign I: Saduk - First TurnAshley Malkus and Konstanz ScriptorThe local dignitaries and PDF men scatter and pull back in fear as the Psykers of the 320th Mechanized approach, led by Coazan, their grim-faced Overseer. They march up the stairs of Calhose Manor, joining the steady stream of Guard officers and Sadukian officials heading for the Manor's inner sanctum. Above their heads, servo-skulls trailing long tracts of parchment and little cherubs flash past, on their way to fulfill the wills of their masters. The parade will begin on the doors of the Manor, following the spiraling streets of the planetary capital and outside, where the tanks of the 66th Armoured will join them. It is the biggest event in years for this backwater agri-world.
The doors to the Inner Sanctum are open, but Coazan halts the three psykers under his guidance with a single gesture. 'You will only enter if summoned. You will only speak when spoken to.' Coazan says, turning on his heels and striding into the Sanctum before any of the three can answer.
They gaze around idly, the men and women in the hallway with them flinching any time their eyes meet. The corner of Saun's mouth keeps twitching, while the other two, Scriptor and Malkus, seem to follow invisible things around the room. Slowly but surely, the others flee the hallway, leaving the psykers to themselves. They wait for their Overseer, ignoring the raised voices in the inner sanctum.
Finally, Coazan appears again and leads them in. 'The Lord-Commander requires our assistance.'
They enter the crowded room, full of smoke and the hum of electronics. A holo-projected screen displaying Calhose and the surrounding area hangs above a large wooden table, with most of the people in the room crowded around it. Lord-Commander Alkanius is easy to spot, seeming to dominate the room by sheer force of personality. He looks up as Coazan and his psykers approach, accepting a drink from a passing servitor and downing it with one gulp.
'Come to show off your pet witches, then, Coazan? Very well, show me what they can do.'
Coazan nods and turns to the psykers, explaining quickly he needs you to locate a scout team that's gone missing somewhere south of the city. There are several ways they could attempt this, direct communication being one and simply exploring the area with their minds being another. Linking together into a Psychic Choir is possible, if most likely unnecessary.
In the inner sanctum of Calhose ManorKonstanz ScriptorHP: 15/15
Equipment: Force Weapon, Laspistol
[3/3]Known Perks: Imperial PsykerFaction: Imperial Guard
In the inner sanctum of Calhose ManorAshley MalkusHP: 15/15
Equipment: Force Weapon, Laspistol
[3/3]Known Perks: Imperial PsykerFaction: Imperial Guard
Sergeant Grygur UrugurA kilometre or so west of Calhose, Grygur Urugur and his squad enjoy the hospitality of an empty farmstead. Their Hellhound waits outside, engine still running, for them to finish their looting, which has just moved from the kitchens to the basement. The buildings sit hidden behind an overgrown hedge, which they drove their way through earlier. The parade isn't due to start for a few hours yet, so Grygor figured they had plenty of time to waste here.
[3] Trooper Vas joins Grygor just outside the farmstead, cleaning his sturdy Longlas with a smile. The marksman coughs politely when the sergeant doesn't immediately acknowledge him.
'With all due respect, sarge, shouldn't we be heading back by now? Menek will raise hell if he finds out we've sneaked out without permission.' he drawls, meeting Grygor's stare.
Before the sergeant can answer, however, the Hellhound pulls up next to them. The driver's head pops out of the top hatch.
'Urugur? We're picking up movement further up the road. Want us to check it out?'
Outside an empty farmsteadSergeant Grygur UrugurHP: 25/25
Equipment: Lasgun
[6/6], Laspistol
[3/3], Chainsword
Known Perks: DisciplinedFaction: Imperial Guard
Deathspear Squad6 Guardsmen with Lasguns and Combat Knives,
somewhere in the farmstead.
Disciplined1 Guardsman with Longlas and Combat Knife,
outside an empty farmstead.
Disciplined1 Hellhound with Inferno Cannon
[3/3] and Heavy Bolter
[8/8],
near the empty farmstead.
Micelus AbbarSergeant Abbar moves through the mass of moving people, ignoring the eager shouts of traders and stall-owners. The lasgun slung over his shoulder should be enough to scare off any potential pickpockets, but he still keeps his eyes on the crowd. One can never be too careful. This is the market street of Calhose, full of activity now that the parade has brought so many people into the capital. As a Guardsman, he's a center of attention.
Abbar has left his squad resting at the barracks after a series of exercise - atleast, that's where they're supposed to be. They're free to do it all over again if he catches them outside. [4] His squad, mostly outfitted with lasguns, except for the Meltagun Micelus managed to negotiate from the Departmento Munitorium.
'Sergeant Abbar!' a familiar voice calls, and Micelus turns around to see Colonel Menek hurrying towards him. The giant of a man looks worried as he comes over to Abbar and places a hand on his shoulder. 'Sir!' Abbar says and salutes sharply.
'At ease, Abbar. I just want to talk.'
Micelus smiles, still wary, waiting for the colonel to continue. He does as expected after a while.
'So, what do you think about this situation, sergeant? Eager to get a taste of the glory?' he asks, referring to the soon-to-come battle against the greenskins.
On a Calhose market streetSergeant Micelus AbbasHP: 25/25
Equipment: Lasgun
[6/6], Laspistol
[3/3], Chainsword
Known Perks: DisciplinedFaction: Imperial Guard
Talons of Bryndis Squad6 Guardsmen with Lasguns and Combat Knives,
somewhere in the camp.
Disciplined1 Guardsman with Melta Gun and Combat Knife,
somewhere in the camp.
Disciplined1 Chimera with Multi-laser
[6/6] and Heavy Bolter
[8/8],
somewhere in the camp.
Laric and Markon JoanosA few kilometres outside Calhose, on a muddy field meant to serve as the place for the 66th Armoured's demonstration, part of the upcoming parade, a dozen tank commanders wait for something to do, smoking Lho-sticks and talking quietly. They've been here since morning, doing the last checks on their beloved Leman Russes.
Laric, commander of the
Iron Cobra, a Leman Russ Exterminator, paces back and forth through the lines of battle tanks, fighting the urge to bang his head on the side of his tank. His crew watch with barely-hidden amusement from atop the Exterminator.
[2][6] He's mostly known for the absolutely horrible skills of his driver, Selop, which has made him the laughing stock of the regiment. [3] His sponsons have been outfitted with Plasma Cannons due to a fortunate mishap in the Munitorium, and together with the twin-linked Autocannons serving as the tank's main gun they make it an excellent tank hunter.
Markon Joanos, in turn, is staring off at his feet, trying to block out a local's endless ranting about his years in the PDF, despite the fact the old man has never seen actual combat or touched a combat vehicle. He lets his gaze wander over to his
Destructum, [1][2] a rather ramshackle tank with several holes and weak points in the armor, which still haven't been fixed despite his complaints to the enginseers.
[2] His Battle Tank also carries two sponson-mounted Heavy Bolters in addition to the Battle Cannon and a third Heavy Bolter, and equipped to fight both armor and infantry.
'Say, are those part of your demonstration? Very real-looking things, I must admit!' the old man suddenly exclaims, pointing a wavering hand at the horizon. Markon turns to look and freezes. The horizon is crawling with vehicles, and despite the distance, their silhouttes mark them without doubt as Eldar grav-tanks.
'What the...' he starts. Shouts of panic and sharp commands are already echoing throughout the area, crews rushing to every direction possible. The xenos vehicles have appeared out of nowhere, suddenly warping into existance to the far edge of the fields. Markon pulls up his binoculars and studies the forms of the Eldar tanks, naming them from memory. Most of them appear to be Falcons and Fire Prisms, supported by the Eldar version of dreadnoughts, Wraithlords, and several squads of infantry.
His jaw drops, his brain finally registering that there is indeed a xenos army in the horizon. A crewman by the name of Ilias grabs him by the collar, speaking so quickly it's incomprehensible. Panic is clear on his face. Joanos shakes him off and orders him inside the tank. His mind is filled with options - should he just get inside the
Destructum or call Command first, or rally the panicking tank crews? The same thoughts go through the mind of Laric as well.
Outside his tank at the exercise fieldsMarkon JoanosHP: 15/15
Equipment: Laspistol
[3/3]Known Perks: None
Faction: Imperial Guard
Outside his tank at the exercise fieldsLaricHP: 15/15
Equipment: Laspistol
[3/3]Known Perks: None
Faction: Imperial Guard