A Prison for Gods: The Calm Before the Storm... End of Phase 2!!

That's right! Though February was a hard month personally for many of the players.  We continue regardless. One player has left, the Factions have fallen into every-man for themselves.  It is (excuse the pun) utter chaos. And the Necrons have emerged to claim their prizes.

The current situation is now this:

Got da shiny.  Lets leave.

The map as of the beginning of the final phase 3.

Big thanks to Chris as usual for knocking together an updated map.

The Necrons have swooped in on Tresium, devastating the Arbiter precinct based in the huge lake there.  The lake was later evaporated causing massive weather disruptions: thunderstorms continents wide, tornados and downpours as the water settled. Underneath the lake of Tears as it was known, the Necrons are alleged to have secured one of the Shard Keys supposedly essential in locating the final world of Solemnum. The gate to the Prison.

As the power vacuum of the Mechanicum's absence is filled, it leaves the Craftworld Eldar in possession of key positions on both Tresium, Sordid and Nolan.  With no allies left to them, former friends may fast prove to be easy pickings. Meanwhile the Imperial Guard and former allies of the Craftworld Eldar With bastions on both Tresium, Nest and even Wake.

The score?

Edit: Eivind is actually on 75.  

After the collapse of the Factions the last Phase tally merges the Personal Conquest points and the Faction Points.  Also, Grand Warlord traits no longer apply.  Its all or nothing, every man for himself.

But what does that mean?  Well, we see that the nefarious Black Scorpions are still in the lead, though without Magnus to back him up with his Imperial tank divisions, Rory will quickly find himself attacked on many fronts. But will their attacks simply allow for more expansion from defence.

Across the table we can see Eivind and his Tyranids are close second on Conquest Points. The great devourer has gone largely ignored as the potential threat it is so far. Will the other players be able to resist the consumption? 

In this last Phase, the weak will be picked on for easy pickings, titans will be bashing heads for scraps and the goal of Solemnum will be in sight, all the while the Necrons will be following their agenda. As Players work on their own narrative goals, will there be anyone left to stop the opening of the Prison for Gods?

So Rules for this 3rd Phase:

1. Factions are abolished.
2. Personal Points are immediately added to Conquest Points. 
3. Grand Warlord Traits are now closed and no longer apply. 
4. Any Player completely moved from the map then plays for the final conquering Player in his future games.

The final Turn will see the emergence of Solemnum, and those with the Shard Keys will have bonuses on the end battle which very well could see all the territorial gains made by any Player moot if ignored.  

Next up is establishing where people will be placing their extra flags for this final phase in regards to the Bastions owned by: 

• 2 to Eivind's 'Nids
• 2 to Thomas and his Imperial Guard
• 3 to Chris and his Dark Eldar!!
• 2 to William and his Craftworld Eldar
• 1 to Magnus and his Imperial Guard

I'm gonna see these updated as I bash out the final Blog Post regarding the game proceeding into the Third Phase, based around two upcoming sets of games, both of which see the Necrons attacking all quarters. 

What I'm personally looking forward to are the developing armies.  All the while everyone has been building up new tactics, units and more in an effort to dominate the campaign.  Rory has been labouring tirelessly to ensure his superior forces remain top dog, while both Eivind and William have been working damn hard to produce everything from more Carnifex to 3 bloody Wraith Knights!

Oh and the Imperial Guard players Thomas and Magnus now have the game making Cadian Detachment rules to even the odds. 

The campaign is very much still to play for!!

But what about the Phase 3 World?

Under the circumstances I've decided in my capacity as GM and generally all round god person, to leave the final world until the 2nd part (or turn?) of this final Phase.  Its a big deal. And the Shard Keys which players have been understandably ignoring in favour of their own agendas!

A Prison for Gods: An end of alliances.

GM's addendum:

A common occurrence in any long-standing Campaign, one of our players has withdrawn from the campaign for personal reasons.  Thankfully, the resulting exodus of players that any campaign organiser fears, never happened.  Though February had a drought of games.  Regardless, I've decided to continue regardless. I'll be using the real world events to change the dynamic of the campaign to increase playability and the narrative.  Let the battles decide.
Also, let it be know:  This is NOT the last we have seen of Kaia and her Mechanicum forces. Nor I think, the 501st.

Magenta level broadcast.  Servitor obv.junkt #1233-Baleraphon.
The Adeptus Mechanicus forces recently entering the system have committed to a full withdrawal. They have taken with them the remaining survivors of the 501st Imperial Guard regiment and several thousands of refugees from Warrens End.  There have been reports of acquisitions of certain Mechanicum machinery, however it seems prior to their sudden departure, numerous Overwatch stations were attacked and logs regarding the activities of the Black Scorpions removed.

The exact time stamp of their withdrawal coincides with the discovery of a Xenos site on Nest.  There, an exploratory team discovered something designated the "Withered Dream."
Apparently it was enough for them to leave Faust to its fate.
The absence of power left has been quickly filled by the 501st's previous "allies."

As the Mechnicum forces departed the sector, the territories suddenly left open were filled by thankfully informed allies: The Craftworld Eldar of Ibraesil and the Imperial Guard rushed to take positions.  Sadly many close confrontations occurred between troops as old animosities and the stresses of the many losses took their toll.

The disappearance of Inquisitor Craven caused the disappearance of the other Dormenghast, as the puritan dropped everything in his obsession to bring the radical to justice. The absence of both Inquisitors and their guidance would be felt immediately as these confrontations broke down into full blood shed as the dogma of the Imperial Creed and the Eldar's hatred of the Mon Keigh took over.

Meanwhile, within the victorious Bringers of Silence, the Imperial Guard there noted the similarities between the Necron technology and some of that which the Black Scorpions wielded.  Added to their fears of increased Psyker use and rumours of heresy, infighting became untenable.  Even their Commisars began investigating their orders, causing unusual cases of cross-commissariat executions within the ranks.

The Dark Eldar, never truly tied down to anything such as loyalty or debt, found that their "allies" the Tyranid splinter fleet had begun to adapt to their pheromone use.  The Tyranids could finally sense them, rendering any combined action impossible.

All across the Faust system, a domino affect of destroyed alliances broke up the previous factions, reducing the previously organised conflict into an all out war, where there was no longer such a thing as a safe zone, and no combatant could expect help from anyone but their own.

Game Affects.

Territory previously belonging to the Player Kaia will be divided amongst her previous team mates Wimaro and Thomas.
T4, T5, NE15, N1, N2, NE19. To William. W10, N10, N11, T1, T2, To Thomas

Shattered Alliances.

Factions Bringers of Silence, Crusaders of Fire and Bearers of Change cease to exist from the beginning of this post.  End of February points will take the terrain changes above into account before this break occurs.

It's nothing personal.

All Personal Conquest Points are now moot and void, instantly switching at the conclusion of February to being Conquest Points.

Gentlemen, it is every man for themselves and all challenges can be made to whomever you wish.

Coming soon.

The end of phase 2 and points update.
The events of Phase 3.
The Necrons Unleashed and the Hunt for "Solemnum."
The road to the end.