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Excelsus: A Midsumer Knight's Dream

Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 01:01:00 2014 No.33501273 View View Reply Original Report

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I've been a bit busy, so I've been late in preparing and posting archives from my current Dark Heresy game. In Excelsus: A Midsummer Knight's Dream, the players are soldiers for hire, working for a mercenary guild on the hive world of Nemi in the Tiji Sector, trying to make their way through the universe and the many dangers it holds. Every day is a chance for another bounty, and another death.

The Fireteam of the Shattered Suns Mercenary Company:

Lucius Mojaro, Imperial World Guardsman
Bekowski, Mind-Cleansed Guardsman
Wolfhound, Hive World Guardsman
Ophilia, Hive World Assassin
Alistair Vathrek, Venator Crimson Guardsman

Excelsus awaits.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:02:52 No.33501311 Report

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK_CySs11DE

A day of rest, and medical attention helps, as does a few moments of leisure tallying the gains from the previous mission. But, the chronos on the wall buzz out a new day in the musty smog of the hive Waistworks. The Overseer is, as usual, at the desk transcribing out parchments onto his cogitator, missions, success, and failures long since past.

Ophilia rises from bed with a stretch and a yawn, before striding briskly to view the job board's postings. Vathrek, too, has risen early, with the intent of attempting to affect the necessary repairs to the burnt-out field acquired on the last mission.

On the board is a single posting - the ganger mission from the previous day. However, the parchment looks as if it was taken down and then replaced. Soon Bekowski, Lucius, and Wolfhound join in on the mission review, the latter somewhat enjoying a roll of corpse-starch pepperoni.

"What's on the board, Ophilia?" asks Lucius.
"Ganger job from yesterday," she replies.
"Eh?" wonders Lucian, "Figured another woulda scooped it..."
"Someone did," says the Overseer at the cogitator, "But they bit off more than they could chew. Job's back up as a result."
"Shit man, give us the scoop!" yells an excited Wolfhound, "They come back in stretchers or bodybags?"
"Let's say a corpse starch bar is more filling than what was left of them." laughs the Overseer.
"Huh, guess we'll be able to nab both jobs," notes Bekowski, "But, they know somebody is gunning for their arse. Guess our job will be that much harder then."

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:03:56 No.33501337 Report

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Wolfhound turns on the room's rusty old pict-caster to attempt to find more information on the failed mission, but all he finds is local sector news. The only news of note appears to be a mass transfer of Imperial citizens from the world of Nova Prosperous. The ships carrying them bear the sigils of the Inquisition, and agents on hand were unwilling to speak in detail about the transfer, only referencing sightings of Eldar, Necrons, and Old Slann.

"Good news, everyone!" yells Vathrek, bursting from the guild workbenches, "I have managed to repair that personal protection device used by our last target."
"Any idea on how strong it is, and where we could get more?" asks Bekowski.
"It is a refactor field of common design, however still worth a decent amount," states Vathrek, "Unfortunately I do not possess the personal funds to adequately compensate the rest of you for its continued use, and since two of you have expressed interest in making equipment acquisitions, my intent was to follow my previous promise and shell it out to the group as mission spoils."
"To me, you fixed it, you nabbed it, you can have it," shrugs Lucius, "No need to make it up."

The Venator Crimson Guard certainly has a way of...enunciating.

"...'fore we head to the slums, need to make a stop. You mind?" asks Lucius.
"What kind of stop?" asks Bekowski.
"Personal," declares Lucius bluntly.
"Sounds fine to me," Ophilia shrugs, enjoying her breakfast of reconstituted semi-organic carbohydrate product.
"What's the rush all about?" asks Wolfhound, "I haven't even gotten all my stuff set up."

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:05:38 No.33501383 Report

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"So, you taking the ganger mission?" asks the Overseer.
"All in favor?" asks Ophilia.
"Guessin' so," says Lucius.
"Sounds good to me," nods Bekowski.
"Then yes, sir," Ophilia confirms to the Overseer.
"Target's name is Vivaldo Ansaldi," says the Overseer, "And he'll be expecting you probably. Rumors were heard that more gangers than usual were seen in the Waistworks, too."
"Well it's pretty obvious that we aren't going to be making any money unless we go on this mission," sighs Wolfhound, "But we still got a deal with the stuff we left off from yesterday."
"Yeah, we won't operate as well without ammo and explosives," concedes Ophilia, "Those should be a priority, but I'd be happy to pay for the field, provided you pay me back after this job."
The Fireteam load their weapons up.
"Before we plan the new hit, we should sell off the loot," Ophilia suggests, "We can pick up some intel while we're at it, and plan from there!"
"If you're looking for armaments, the Waistworks bazaars have a good selection," suggests the Overseer, "The Shattered Suns are also working on an exclusive deal with some of the Armory manufactorums for weaponry."

Wolfhound snaps his fingers.
"Smokes," he demands. Lucius opens his last box of Lho, and hands one off.
"I kept that pack as a 'In case of emergency...'" muses Lucius, "Glad someone is usin' them."
"I might be in need of a merchant for a more esoteric request sometime soon," states Vathrek, "Perhaps you have a contact should the bazaar prove unhelpful?"
"Hmm, don't know any by name, you might just have to look around," says the Overseer, "Anyway, information's entered, and you're officially on the job."
"So, off to the bazaars then?" asks Bekowski.
"Indeed," says Vathrek.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:06:42 No.33501400 Report

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnz3t2RN0ns

The Fireteam, and the Shattered Suns private military guild, are located in the hive's Waistworks, where the habs, manufactorums, and services are. The metal caverns extend in all directions - all around a central dive leading down into inky blackness can be found shrines of the Admech and Ecclesiarchy, as well as merchant guilds, food distribution guilds, and various artisans, mystics, and apothecaries. There's even a cornerclub where people get together to drink a quick drink when their 20 hour workdays are over. All around the ringed edge of the dive can be seen people with small hand-made eikons and other small goods, hawking their wares.

"Given the nature of our equipment needs, it would be best to try one of the less public merchant guilds," states Vathrek.
"Agreed," notes Ophilia.
"But if you see anyone who looks like they're thugs, don't go boasting around that we're mercs," Wolfhound suggests, "They whacked off our other guys, remember?"
Vathrek stops.
"It has been some time since I have required such services. However, perhaps one of you has better insight as to where to go?" he asks.

The Fireteam consider their options - the local throne changing guilds are open and located on the Waistworks, and they decide that their best option lays in that direction. Passing a number of decaying masoned buildings in the hive's dim lights, something catches Bekowski's eyes in the darkened alleyways.

A dull blue light.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:08:55 No.33501451 Report

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"Hey, I see something. Cover me while I check it out," says Bekowski, as Wolfhound takes position a ways behind. Approaching the torch, Bekowski finds a man in a heavy flowing cloaked coat.

"Got a selection of good things on sale, stranger..." says the Merchant.
"Well, don't you have good timing..." laughs Bekowski, "Hey, we got a merch!"

The Fireteam immediately begins unloading their hard-earned cash on new guns, new gear, and new toys. Ophilia picks up a needle rifle, just in case, as well as a variety of lasweapon augments and charge packs. Bekowski upgrades himself to mesh armor, and submits himself to back alley surgery for a good-quality bionic respiratory system. Vathrek acquires a phased plasma fusil, with a combi-bolt attachment, along with some assorted gear. Wolfhound saves his thrones, choosing only to replace his detpacks. Lucius pucks up a Sunfury plasma gun, and hands the merchant a small bag of thrones and an old torn image, a photo of family on a faraway world.

"Make sure this gets where it needs to go," states Lucius.

The Merchant nods in response, and walks into one of the back alleys.

"Heh heh heh, thank you," says the Merchant, "Come back any time..." Bekowski rushes to follow the Merchant, but is greeted only by an empty alleyway, aside from the refuse and rats. There is not even a door.

"What the Emperor's name..." Bekowski wonders aloud.
"I like him," laughs Lucius, his sarcasm overflowing, "He's a talker."
Bekowski rubs where the respiratory system was implanted. "Well, at least his medicae skills are as good as his deals," he sighs.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:10:38 No.33501496 Report

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"Alright. We all set? Let's make a plan. Should we go into the underhive in the shadows or with a show of force?" asks Wolfhound, "I know that these gangers only respect our guns, so I say we brandish all we got when we're down there."
"We are armed to the tits and conspicuous as a xeno in a girl's school," counters Lucius, "Lets try stealth."
"It would be prudent to expose ourselves as little as possible," agrees Vathrek, "Otherwise, reprisal attacks on our persons could be seen as a route to future status, should we prove successful."
"Or we could show them that we're the baddest dudes in town, and scare the balls off anybody who wants to fuck with us later," suggests Bekowski, "No 'ffense, Ophilia."
"None taken. Scaring the balls off of scum is a good way to stay alive, if you do it right..." muses Ophilia, "Or just slicing them off; that scares the rest soon enough."
"There's a reason none of the Arbitrators go down there unless there's some shit going on," Wolfhound points out, "We'd blend right in if we walked around with all our gear shining."
"I'd prefer to start with stealth, and come out of nowhere guns blazing," offers Ophilia, "Best of both worlds."
Lucius laughs. "I like you, miss. You have your head in the right place. Quiet contemplation and needless slaughter. It suits you."
Ophilia smiles hesitantly. "...Thanks?"
Wolfhound snaps his fingers at Lucius, "Lucius, smokes."
"You're gonna need to buy your own soon," states Lucius, "This is my last pack. I mentioned I quit."

"Alright, so, all in favor of a head-on assault, say I," states Bekowski, "All in favor of stealth, say Nay."

The Fireteam votes together - Wolfhound, Bekowski, and Lucius all decide on a charge in guns blazing approach, Vathrek abstains, while only Ophilia dissents.

"Ophilia, I say you got stealth while the rest of us just go on in," says Wolfhound.
"Sounds like a plan, playing to our strengths," agrees Ophilia.

The plan decided, the Fireteam moves on to complete their mission.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:11:42 No.33501524 Report

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5DJENl__ZE

The path to the Canalworks lies deeper in the Waistworks. Making their way through forgotten passages and decaying corridors, the Fireteam are greeted with a series of polluted waterways, with great transport barges bring goods across the hive. The lights are flickery, and as the Fireteam makes their way in, all they see is the pallid workers and the barges. Near the docks and the colossal tunnels that cut through the hive, lay small shanty shacks where the dockworkers make their dwellings. The water looks like a thousand years of died. While most of the Fireteam begin marching towards the dockworkers to bust some heads, Ophilia ninjas ahead of the Fireteam, searching for anything suspicious.

"Let's knock some heads together for information," says Wolfhound, "Anyone think so?"
"Nah, you never know who might be a rat down here, or worse," suggests Bekowski.
"Big, scary Wolfhound asks a question, they might answer," Ophilia counters.
"Yeah, but you never know if they gave you the -right- answer," says Bekowski.

Ophilia decides to check the nearby boxes for any suspicious signs. Popping open one unmarked box, Ophilia is slammed by the smell of ass and dirt is overwhelming as rotten toxic fish greet you. These are probably meant for reprocessing to make food for the habs. Opening another box, it reeks of a different smell - cosmoline. Even in the grim darkness of the far future, one cannot rid oneself of cosmoline. Dozens of loose ammo rounds for autoguns lay in the box. She determines that they're normal rounds, and moves to reunite with the Fireteam, only to realize she's in the air.

A gargantuan cargo crane has picked up the platform Ophilia is on, and is lifting her onto a barge that has freshly docked. This greatly concerns her.

View Same Google iqdb SauceNAO Trace Hive City Lake.jpg, 500KiB, 674x1126

Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:13:14 No.33501558 Report

Quoted By:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5DJENl__ZE

The path to the Canalworks lies deeper in the Waistworks. Making their way through forgotten passages and decaying corridors, the Fireteam are greeted with a series of polluted waterways, with great transport barges bring goods across the hive. The lights are flickery, and as the Fireteam makes their way in, all they see is the pallid workers and the barges. Near the docks and the colossal tunnels that cut through the hive, lay small shanty shacks where the dockworkers make their dwellings. The water looks like a thousand years of died. While most of the Fireteam begin marching towards the dockworkers to bust some heads, Ophilia ninjas ahead of the Fireteam, searching for anything suspicious.

"Let's knock some heads together for information," says Wolfhound, "Anyone think so?"
"Nah, you never know who might be a rat down here, or worse," suggests Bekowski.
"Big, scary Wolfhound asks a question, they might answer," Ophilia counters.
"Yeah, but you never know if they gave you the -right- answer," says Bekowski.

Ophilia decides to check the nearby boxes for any suspicious signs. Popping open one unmarked box, Ophilia is slammed by the smell of ass and dirt, an overwhelming sensation as rotten toxic fish greet her. These are probably meant for reprocessing to make food for the habs. Opening another box, it reeks of a different smell - cosmoline. Even in the grim darkness of the far future, one cannot rid oneself of cosmoline. Dozens of loose ammo rounds for autoguns lay in the box. She determines that they're normal rounds, and moves to reunite with the Fireteam, only to realize she's in the air.

A gargantuan cargo crane has picked up the platform Ophilia is on, and is lifting her onto a barge that has freshly docked. This greatly concerns her.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:14:52 No.33501589 Report

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On the ground, the Fireteam finds an unassuming, malnourished dockworker. Wolfhound grabs him, leaning to the edge of the barge, grappling him against the wall.

"Oh Emperor, the boxes are being loa-wait who are you?" the dockhand stutters, twitching.
"Hey there little stowaway, now you can either help us out or get a ride straight into Davy Jones's locker. Got it?!" yells Wolfhound.
"W-w-what's a Davy Jones?" the dockhand asks.
"Shut up! Now, can you tell us where all these boxes are going?" Wolfhound demands, "A certain ganglord by the name of Vivaldo Ansaldi ring a bell? Tell me what you know about him!"
Wolfhound is so intimidating that the dockhand easily breaks down.
"I...I..." the dockhand says, utterly scared, "PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!" he yells.
He weakly points to the docked barge.
"In...in there," he whispers, "But...you'll die just like the others."

Meanwhile, Ophilia finds herself surrounded by hive scum in scavenged carapace.
"Guys... I think I found the gangers," she whispers. The light is dim, and she lays flat, hiding herself on top of a box. Luckily she rolls perfect on her concealment, and the hivers don't have a chance of seeing her.
"Copy that. Stay frosty, we'll be on our way in a bit. Wolf is just oppressing the locals," replies Bekowski.
"They've got some makeshift carapace, looks like they made it out of refuse they scavenged, and guns," replies Ophilia.
"Let the man go," Lucius requests, "He did like ya asked."
Wolfhound tosses the dockhand to the side, while observing the boat. It's unmarked, and unassuming. As he runs, Lucius tosses the dockhand ten thrones for the information.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:16:15 No.33501616 Report

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"I may have an idea, if we can locate the control to the loading device," says Vathrek.
"I'm lying right fucking in front of five armed & armored gangers who can't see me, and you want me to show myself?!" whispers Ophilia, "I mean, I'm good, but Come ON!"
"Can you get me relative locations on them, and their spread?" asks Bekowski.
"I am lying on a BOX lifted by their CRANE, I'd rather not push my luck any more," Ophilia replies.
"Ophelia, stay in cover, I think we will be able to offer quite a distraction," states Vathrek helpfully.
"THERE. IS. NO. COVER!" Ophilia hisses.

Vathrek and Bekowski, meanwhile, arrive at the crane. Vathrek attaches his drop harness to the crane, and moves to the cab.

"Excuse me, this crane has been marked as requiring maintenace to continue its service, please open the cab so that I may perform my duties," Vathrek requests.
"Piss off, cogboy!" the guy yells, reaching for his gun.
"Most unfortunate," sighs Vathrek as he levels his fusil.

Vathrek and Bekowski open into the ganger, who melts from a plasma fusillade from Vathrek. The noise attracts the views of a number of the gangers, who begin staring at the crane. Ophilia uses the distraction to toss a frag into the gangers, disorienting them while Wolfhound moves in for suppressive fire, forcing the hivers into cover. However, the situation gets worse as the barge's windows explode outward, and a well-dressed man stands there with a rocket launcher.

"Oh look," says Vivaldo Ansaldi, "More trash. Get them off my boat, and bring their heads to me!"

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:18:07 No.33501658 Report

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dVKMla1LAY

Four bodyguards and Vivaldo stand at the bridge, weapons ready. Rockets fly forth, one striking Bekowski and the platform, while Vathrek jumps off the crane, supported by his drop harness, the other missing horribly and exploding, setting off boxes of ammo dumps all around. Further suppressive fire from a stubber forces Bekowski into cover. Lucius moves to support Ophilia, vaping a ganger with plasma, while Ophilia headshots a bodyguard with a rocket launcher, relieving some of the pressure off Wolfhound and Lucius. Unfortunately, Vivaldo's rocket hits Bekowski's platform once more, shattering it. Bekowski, falling 45m, has a choice - dive for the toxin laced water, or splat the ground and die.

He chooses the water.

Wolfhound forces the bodyguards into cover, and gets a lucky hit on Vivaldo, while Vathrek attempts to fire at the gangers while hanging, scattering them further. Ophilia meanwhile, now comes under rocket fire herself, severely wounding her. Meanwhile, the explosions from the missed rocket are exponentially growing, and now the barge is a cornucopia of explosions and fireworks. Lucius fires his plasma gun at Vivaldo, but he dodges...into the waiting sights of Ophilia, who gets a perfect headshot and finishes off the gang boss. His corpse falls from the barge's bridge, directly onto Ophilia. While the generic hive gangers now panic and run, Vathrek begins the trip down the crane. Lucius and Ophilia finish off the remaining bodyguards, and Wolfhound rushes to pull Bekowski out of the water, Bekowski flailing about more than usual.

Ophilia takes a moment to cut off the hands of the headless corpse as proof, before hightailing it out of the exploding boat. She attempts to roll off the boat gracefully, but fails, hitting her head on the ground and knocking herself out.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:19:10 No.33501689 Report

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Bekowski, meanwhile, is screaming, his hands clutching his eyes. Wolfhound pulls the hands of Bekowski away from his eyes, revealing the seeds of corruption on his face. The chemical structure of his eyes are changing before his eyes, the thousands of years of dumping industrial waste into the water having a warping effect on Bekowski.

Bekowski has gained the Nightsider mutation.

"What in the fuck!?" yells Wolfhound.
"The fuck are you yelling at? What the hell happened?" Bekowski yells back.
"Look at that, his eyes are changing color!" Wolfhound cries as the Fireteam gathers, "It must have been the water!"
"What the hell do you mean? Somebody get me a mirror or something," mutters Bekowski.
"Hmm, it would appear that contact with the material in the canal is causing some irritation and swelling," Vathrek states plainly, "Anything further I will not be able to note until we are back at a proper facility."
"Whatever, let's just get out of here before...whatever you said, happened," mumbles Bekowski, stumbling about before joining the Fireteam.

Deciding that their mission is suitably complete, Lucius grabs the knocked out Ophilia, and Wolfhound grabs the dead corpse of Vivaldo. The Fireteam escape the area as the barge and the local dock explode from rampant ammo dumps cooking off. They arrive at the Shattered Suns mercenary guild hall, to the shock of the Overseer.

"By the Emperor!" he yells, performing the sign of the aquila instinctively upon seeing Bekowski.
"Eh, its better than it looks?" Lucius suggests.
The Overseer twists the cogitator's screen, and Bekowski finally sees his Riddick eyes in the reflection.
"Oh..." sighs Bekowski, "Alright, won't need a photo-visor then. Got anything I could cover my eyes with then? The bright lights hurt my eyes."

The Overseer verifies the corpse's identity, and passes the Fireteam the 6000 throne reward. Almost immediately, the Fireteam head to the medical wing of the hall, to try and rest up.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:21:22 No.33501751 Report

Quoted By:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVT_Sons0Aw

"My apologies for the circumstances," Vathrek drones plainly, "However, the good news is that upon further examination, you appear to be fine aside from an increased visual acuity in dark conditions."
"Alright, won't need a photo-visor then," sighs Bekowski, as Vathrek places a welding helmet on his head.
"That is the best I can offer until you can acquire something more discreet," states Vathrek.

Ophilia, while bed-resting under Vathrek and Lucius's careful eyes, strips her rifle and avoids strenuous activity while she undergoes extended care. Wolfhound counts out the money, while Bekowski comes to grip with his new status as a mutant.

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Shas'o R'myr !!J5+vjygjQuK Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:22:44 No.33501789 Report

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End Episode 2: The Low Road.

With the end of this episode, I had a good idea of the team's combat potential, and general reactions to situations. In Episode 3, shit gets real, as the Fireteam is presented with a mission that will make or break them...

Anonymous Sat 19 Jul 2014 01:31:22 No.33501991 Report

Quoted By:

Does anyone even do story time anymore after the bump change?

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