A Prison for Gods: The Final Score and the Narrative Consequences

The Final Score (The boring bit).

So while the final battle was finished, so too was the final round up of points. As it was the end of the whole Phase Strategic Objectives such as the flags gained from Bastians and from Manufactorum were added alongside the points for holding the Shard Keys.  

A bit out of date, will update soon.

The final scores stand as the following.

• 1st Place: Rory and his Black Scorpions
• 2nd Place: Eivind and his Tyranids
• 3rd Place: Chris and his Dark Eldar (with side order of chaos) 

Unexpectedly, the overall victor points wise was the nigh unbeatable Black Scorpions Chapter, dominating the territories of most worlds and seizing the majority of the planets key points. Next came Eivinds elusive Tyranids.  Beginning being largely ignored in favour of other nemesis opponents, the Tyranid swarms took the rest of them by surprise.  3rd came the Dark Eldar of Chris, Ozzy the Archon has been a celebrity and comic genius during this campaign, offering gratify and sheer anarchic mayhem.

Magnus shared in the glory of the Bringers of Fire earlier on only to be left to fend for his own. Interestingly enough, in the finale, they had stuck to their allegiance to the Necrons with their former Space Marine allies, much to the hatred of Thomas' Imperial Guard.

William, a new player to 40k at the offset, suffered tremendous losses from the start, but as the campaign continued adapted tactics and produced the most new figures for his growing Craftworld. Near the end, he was seen as the greatest threat to Rory next to Eivind, sadly time ran out, and not enough ground could be retook.

Thomas, or Lucky as he would be known, came to enjoy an almost bizarre streak of bad luck with plasma.  Seriously.  It was weird. Having the hardest losses in the campaign, his personal moral and spirit to continue the fight despite the casualties was only paralleled by his in game Preacher, who became a thorn in the side of the Black Scorpions.  Even going so far as to bring in rogue elements from the questionable chapter, further straining their mutually held hatred.

In the end, the biggest game maker was sadly Real-Life, as games ground to a minimum in the last few months. But more on that later.

Tis but a scratch!

Aftermath Narrative (The fun bit).

There was so much history built up from this campaign (which was the initial point, screw the scores!) something to form new games from.  Old grudges to take us to new places and old.  The key points are below, but I will add new stuff if immediately relevant!



Of the White Hand and the fall of Ozzy.

The Iybraesil Craftworld was in morning.  Songs and laments called in every spire and crystal garden as the dead were counted and the spirit stones set in the Infinity Matrix.  More Wraith Bone suits would be needed to mount the increase in dead warriors.

Though their goals had been accomplished, the campaign had been a trial of fire for the warriors of the white hand of Iybraesil. The mystery of Rust, the dead crone world had finally been solved to a point, though in pushing their Dark Kin, had they set the coarse for the Archon's fall to chaos? Had their actions caused their undoing? Rust was still occupied by the Druchi of Ozzy, an insult that would have to be answered.  Eventually.

Though for now, the predictions of this new Necron threat to the Galaxy had been proven, and prevented.

The ancestors had been right to fear this sector. The Necrons had been there, just as they had feared. Their plan unknown, but undoubtedly too evil to speak of. For months, the Eldar had battled the Necrons' unwitting allies, clinging to any glimmer of hope that the Necrons plan might be uncovered. There had been few victories and much death. The losses to Craftworld Iybraesil insurmountable. Time and time again their hopes and lives had been extinguished.

Luckily, in the end some idiot Mon'Keigh pointed his stupidly large gun at something he knew nothing about and accidentally stopped the Necrons entire plan.

Iyanna Stormrunner stepped into the cavernous chamber. The enormous metal statue loomed over her. She had failed her Craftworld, but her life would not be for nought. She would be the Young King, sacrificing herself to wake the Avatar. Her life for the survival of her Craftworld. Even as she fell, a warm glow emanated from the midst of the towering statue. The stench of burning blood filling the air...

I love my job.

Meanwhile, Ozzy, Archon of the fallen Kabal was having far too much fun.  Whole planets under his domain, slaves beyond counting, ancient artefacts from the war on heaven?  If he could only rid himself of these voices in his head, of these annoyingly playful daemons that danced in his mind or the predations of Lucious the Eternal (who by the way was a hoot at orgies), maybe he could get back to Commoragh and kick Vect out of that chair?

Then again, maybe these Emperors Brats could be useful?


Of the Scorpion and the Priest.

In the aftermath of the death of Solemnum, the Faustian Conflict took on a new shape as the fighting forces adapted and changed interests.

The Black Scorpions, victorious at little cost, took the machine works of Nolan, the survivors evacuated from Warrens End and the spoils of the many territories and withdrew in good order. Enemies awoke to find the neighbouring sectors completely bereft of the giant marines, their fast void ships making quick work of blockades and leaving the sector for their home in the Helios Sector.
They had been called back.  Word of their actions in the Faustian Schism had reached unsympathetic ears and both the angered Adeptus Mechanicus, who had been horrified by the Space Marines blasphemous theft of Mechanicum property, and the Inquisition who had heard tales of witch craft and mutation demanded investigation.  The whole Chapter, which had been under fearful eyes before, would come under attack.  First by trial, then maybe, if things did not go well, by the Imperium itself.

However, with the spoils of war and the Black Scorpions own reputation for survivalism, the Helios Sector was heavily fortified to the point of paranoia. Could the Imperium afford a repeat of the folly of the Astral Claws?

Only time would tell...

Link to Rottimus' account. for more details on that!


Regiments at odds.

Trooper 23/3345 looked at the new markings on the starship wall.  The bulkhead had been decorated in the numbers of the dead.  It read like a maddening formula for most, but for him he saw people. To a point.  Each one an act of redemption.  His gaze though, unburdened of his gas mask for once, was staring at the golden mount.  "The Last Duty", the Stormsword super heavy battle tank was engraved their with her crew. Certainly the cog heads would mourn the loss of the tank, but the act would be remembered.

He stared at his hands, bandaged.  Like many of the plasma troopers.  He had been informed that sabotage was likely. The why was still beyond them. It wasn't his job to think about such things, but he did wonder. The Inquisition?  There had reportedly been a traitor working for the aliens. The Mechanicum?  They hadn't been much help. The Officers were petitioning the Ecclesiarchy and the Munitorium already, regarding the Black Scorpions. Someone knew something.  Maybe Inquisitor Dormenghast.

Trooper 23/3345 clenched his hands and fed off the honest pain.  Kreig lived of pain and loss, it was pure.  He just needed a new enemy to fight.

The map says that way!

Not in Kansas any more.

Brother Cyras feeled his way into the dark, The Duat as it had been called was impossible. It had taken everything he had to find an area with gravity and light.  After he had emptied an entire clip of bolt rounds on the portal crystal, he had blanked out from a wash of green lightning.  His armour was burned, blackened and dusted in charcoal.  The systems were flickering angrily as the machine spirit ached, but that wasn't the problem. his battery power was running low. Hunger and thirst were not the immediate problem.  Air was.  This place varied so much in its atmosphere...

He checked his bolt gun, stroking it and soothing the spirit within. 3 times he had encountered the Guardian.  A giant of immense power.  He had seen it move through walls, seeking him.  It had fought with something else, equally big.  And it had recently lost.  He was not alone.

As if summoned by the thought, the hairs on his neck stood, cracking with static.

"Tell me all you desire, and I will give it.  Tell me all you will give, and I will desire it..." 

A shadow loomed over him consuming the last of the light.

Next time, I'll be doing a bit of a review of our own campaign. Any questions, throw them down below and I'll be sure to answer them!

Thanks for reading! 
R

A Prison for Gods: The final day. (Mission Brief)

As the rogue planet warms enough to allow passage, all the sectors forces move in to seize the prize, their mission: To open or seal shut the gates of the Duat. The Prison For Gods. Desperate to arrive as soon as possible, forces breach through the new atmosphere, risking raging storms to land and assault the enemies. But alliances are unknown, and there is no time to arrange for battle lines. Only the ferocity and the quick thinking of individual units will carry the day.

Atop the ziggurat, the instigator of this whole schism, responsible for every death by proxy waits for challengers.

The Armies

All forces for this mission are technically Attackers, and are advised to focus on Deep Striking units and units with Outflank. Grand Warlords must be taken.

The Battlefield

The Games Master will set up the board as displayed below, depicting mission intelligence. All Objectives are at this point unknown but some information will be present to allow for guess work. The lack of terrain is deliberate and depicts the bleakness of Solemnum's surface.

Between the planetoids turmulent storms, several detected defence pylons and the enemy ships, landing on the planet will be an excercise in loss.  Not to mention accuracy and dealing with what fate gives you.
Do not expect any plans to go as intended. Inform all line officers that initiative is allowed for this mission.

Objective Markers

There are a total of 3 Objectives on the map, as Described in the Warhammer 40,000: The Rules. One is the Ziggurat, the other two are the High Yield Obelisk and the Pylon.  These are also dynamic Objectives that rely on Players accomplishing feats in the game. Be warned however, certain actions will have certain consequences for the whole sector.

Deployment

Fixed Warlord Traits are suspended for this game to ensure no rules contradictions occur.

Players with Shard Keys may deploy 3 Units, anywhere on the battlefield at the start of the game in order of roll off and using table edges to establish deployment zones and retreat edges. In addition, these 3 Units must be accompanied by the Players' Grand Warlord. No unit may deploy within the usual range as per Warhammer 40,000: The Rules, however special rules operate as normal.

All other Units are in Reserve and arrive under the Rules below.

First Turn

At the start of the first turn, all players reveal their alliance cards and the relevant players begin rolling for reserves.  Reserves in the first turn are on 4+, continuing as normal with 3+ from the second turn.  

Game Length

This Mission uses variable game length as described in Warhammer 40,000: The Rules.

Victory Conditions

At the end of the game, the player who has scored the most Victory Points is the winner. There are no circumstances for a draw. However, certain events during the mission may allow for a "moral victory," as well as affecting the final count up.

Primary Objective

At the end of the game, each Objective Marker is worth 3 Victory Points to the player that controls it. One Objective is worth 6 Victory Points.

Secondary Objectives

Slay the Warlord, Slay the Guardian (Classified), Slay the Overlord (Classified), Cause a Cataclysm (Classified), Breach the Gate (Classified).  

Mission Special Rules

Planetary Assault, Shock Tactics, Uncertain Alliances, The Fate of Billions.

Mission Reserves: This mission uses the Reserves rules from Warhammer 40,000: The Rules, modified as follows:

• All of the Players units except for those with Shard Keys must start the game in Reserve.
• All Players count as Attackers for the sake of the following Special Rules.

Planetary Assault

If a mission has the Planetary Assault special rule, the Attacker uses the reserves rule from Warhammer 40,000: The Rules with the following modification.

Instead of making Reserve Roles from the start of the second turn, the Attackers make Reserve Rolls from the start of the first turn.

Shock Tactics

If a mission has the Shock Tactics special rule, all of the Attacker's units that have the Deep Strike special rule and deploy via Deep Strike can charge in the same turn that they arrive from Reserves.

All of the Attackers Infantry, Jetbikes and Skimmer units that do not already have the Deep Strike special rule gain the Deep Strike special rule. This units cannot charge in the same turn they arrive from reserves.

All the Attacker's other units arrive from Reserves as described in Warhammer 40,000: The Rules. These units cannot charge in the same turn they arrive from Reserves.

Units that disembark from a Transport cannot charge in the same turn they arrived from Reserves, even if they or their Transport have the Deep Strike special rule.

Units arriving by Outflank do so normally, as described in Warhammer 40,000: The Rules.

Uncertain Alliances,

During the first turn, the sides have yet to be established. At the start of the first turn, all players reveal their alliance cards and the relevant players begin rolling for reserves.  Reserves in the first turn are on 4+, continuing as normal with 3+ from the second turn.  

The Fate of Billions

As this is the last battle, all infantry units possess the Stubborn special rule.

Certain scenery items and certain actions during the game (revealed on and during play) will have consequences for the campaign and the planets in the Faust sector.  

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: End of Phase 2, Turn 1.

End of Phase 2, Turn 1. 

Warrens End

The capital world of the sector continues to go into its death-throws as the weapon of Nolan does its work.  Forests die an unnatural death as every living life form suffers critical radiation poisoning yet cannot decompose.

Thankfully the military forces there are taking measures, though only the insidious Black Scorpions and the Imperial Guard are offering any aid to the civilian populace.  Increased terrorist activity is hampering efforts, and some are questioning where the Astartes are taking those they "rescue." Regardless the drive to evacuate has allowed, whether innocently or not, the pretence to expand further into Warrens southern forests.

The Adeptus Mechanicus forces that appeared alongside the Imperial Guard in Warrens North Western reaches came as a shock to all, catching Ozzy's Dark Eldar by surprise and forcing them back to their hold out on the other side of the planet. What the Mechanicum's intentions are, remains to be seen, but their appearance has shown to be fortuitous.

At the beginning of the Turn, a push from the Black Scoprions into the eastern mountains initially was met by success, taking territory from the Craftworld Eldar.

All the while the Dark Eldar of Ozzy took the opportunity to prey on the retreating Eldar and took land of their own.  However, upon reaching the mountains, the Astartes were hit hard by the lurking Tyranid threat even as evacuations were underway.  Theories have been proposed that it was the Craftworld that was keeping the Tyranids in check, other theories suggest they planned the event like a trap.  Either way, the Tyranids on Warrens End have come down from the Mountains, and show no sign of stopping.

Rust

The world that is forever dying saw an epic return by the Iybraesil Eldar, returning after a series of brutal loses.  Dark Eldar forces were surprised by the sudden return and lost a sector to the advance giving their vengeful Craftworld brethren a foothold on the world.  Will this advance continue?  Or will Ozzy's Dark Eldar be able to push them back from the old Eldar world?

The loss of territory on so many worlds for a gain on one leads many to believe the leadership of the Iybraesil Eldar is running either a campaign of revenge against the Druchii of Ozzy, or they have a secret agenda regarding that world...

Sordid

Magnus'tank battalions took advantage of the Iybraesil's lack of focus on the corrupt world of Sordid and took territory despite heavy loses to their anti material weaponry.

Tresium

The lawless planet was further controlled by the forces of the 501st as its Imperial elements were bolstered by the arrival of returning Adeptus Mechanicum forces sent to secure Nolan.  Rumours have begun that the Mechanicum having linked up with the 501st may seek to retake the Forgeworld from the Black Scorpions before the majority of its hardware is removed.

Nolan

Having pushed the 501st Imperial Guard back towards the poles, the Black Scorpions have dug in, quarantining the area to the west and holding gains made while engineers acquire as much machinery as they can.  The move has born yet more criticism from the Imperial elite, and while complaints may take centuries to be reacted on due to bureaucracy and long distance communications, it is already clear: The Astartes do not care.

Nest

At the beginning of the Turn, Nest saw the Craftworld Eldar losing territory to both the unstoppable advance of the Black Scorpions and the treacherous back stabbing assault from their Dark kin. Pushed off Nest completely, it forced the Eldar to rethink their deployment and heavier weaponry was brought in.

Meanwhile, the Dark Eldars base has so far been ignored by the Astartes despite being close enough, while the Dark kin are happy enough to raid the wastes nearby, terrorising locals and harvesting body parts for some unknown horrors.

Space Hulk

The Gospel of Fear saw the total attention of the Black Scorpions Chapter this Turn, slaughtering and pushing the Imperial Guard of Thomas from its many winding corridors.  Even a sudden appearance of automated Necron defences didn't deter them and that area is now quarantined.  Regardless, the clean up will take some time and the Imperial Guard stood hard, lead to the last by their preachers.

Weapon failures and ammunition quality were a major factor in the losses causing many to wonder if the Black Scorpions used some immoral infiltration methods, purgings have been made through the command structure after the loss in attempt to rule this out.  However, another possibility is the involvement of the Munitorium's supply which goes via the Mechanicum stationed outside the Sector at Altra Teir.  Rumours among the ranks have lead to some quiet distrust towards the regiments Enginseers.  Crack downs have already begun.

To the end of the Turn, the Imperial Guard have been met with allies from an unexpected quarter: Black Scorpions, claiming to be Loyalists to the Imperium and condemning their brethren as heretics.

The sudden attention of the Black Scorpions against the Hulk begs the question to all agents of opposition: What do the Astartes want with it?  Do they know something the rest do not?

Acre

Despite her many natural barriers alongside the reinforced fence-works, The Tyranid's already on the world linked up with the invading Hive Mind, causing a sudden expansion against the Craftword Eldar, seizing the planets core power creating complex.  With the Tyranids showing intense levels of intelligence, it wasn't a total surprise when the layers of ray fences across the continent began switching off, allowing for the Tyranids to run unchecked across Acre's jungles and forests.

This leaves both the Dark Eldar, Eldar and even the Astartes holding out in their last on world pockets of resistance.  Acre as a whole seems to be losing to the Tyranid infestation and though no Hive fleet has been seen yet, a shadow on the warp is emerging, her wildlife is altering and becoming hostile. The planets very climate is changing, heating up and preparing itself for consumption on a global scale.  If not for the current conflict, efforts could be made to end this, but as it stands, Acre is on the brink.

So what's the score so far?

Well, bearing in mind this is only the 1st Turn of Phase 2, and that the big scores come in at the end of the phase, it is as expected.  Objective traits don't count for Turns and despite the extension of the Turn length, not so many games have been played.

The Bringers of Silence, though down a man since Chris' (Ozzy's) defection, the Bringers of Silence have maintained their hold on terrain, even gaining some.  In second place, but only just, are the Bearers of Change, stealing the position although both Eivind and Chris have placed most of their points on Personal gains.  Last but with a varying degree of luck, the Sentinels of Fire have continued their run of luck, but with some late victories, perhaps the tide is changing?

But what of the narrative missions?  What of the quest for the final planet and its riches and glory? Although many clues of secret locations have been given out, due to time constraints and a general lack of interest, they have gone ignored, usually in favour of personal agendas.  William's Eldar have finally gotten their foothold back on Rust, Rottimus' Black Scorpions have been claiming everything from Mechanicum machinery and the Space Hulk for their survivalist empire and even Thomas' Imperial Guard have taken in supposed crusaders and malcontent from the Astartes, including a as of yet unknown Battle Chaplain.

All this boils down to players creating an maintaining their own narrative in game. Which with all the fighting, duels, grudges and epic battles gives each faction a history and each forces more exceptional characters a story.

However....

The Necron sponser is getting impatient...

Side tracked - A Slaaneshi Prince for a friend.

So of late I've been a bit sh&% at keeping up with the blogging.  No excuses!  But at least I now have lots to pound out today as I play catch up.

Firstly, and most recently (starting backwards chronologically for some reason...) is this beautiful terror.  An old Slaaneshi Daemon Prince from Forge World. Not your average Prince, this one is called Zarakynel, and has his/her/its own special rules.  Rolling in at 666 points exactly, It counts as a gargantuan creature, with an Instant Death blade on a 2+ who steals wounds.  Taking herself up to 10 wounds.

Oh and he's got a 3+ Invul.

This thing will be heading a new army that me and my mate Soundslave will be knocking out next year.  He is handling the Slaaneshi Emperors Children side of things, while I will take on the eccentric and often overlooked Crimson Slaughter.

More on that later.

What follows is sadly a poorly photographed account of the building process.  Hopefully though, some things I noticed may help anyone else attempting this in future.

Starting with the clean up, nail buffing boards offer a smoother finish on resin than standard files.  Though nothing beats a sharp scalpel blade and a few nicks on the thumb.

Next up came the big limbs.  I really had to drag out the old skillz and remember how to pin stuff.  With my Necrons they are sadly so damn brittle and thin jointed that solid pinning is often not possible.  Here though, its damn essential. Drilling out holes either end, I used plastic wrapped Paper Clips.  The genius here is that for the smaller joins, I take this plastic rubber wrap off.

The joins are drilled to be as close and snug as possible.  I found attaching one end first and dipping the tip in paint helped determining where the second hole should go.

Legs went on easy.  Feeling a bit over confident, I grabbed the lobster arms.  Sigh.  It was going so well...

After wrestling with the sword to sword hand join, I realised I could remove the rubber lining on the sword side of the pin, effectively offering two types of width.  Though I was concerned at how flimsly the blade itself was, at least it wouldnt break off at the hilt!

The two lobster arms were easy, well easier than expected.  Some filing and buffing was required to make a snug fit and the level of green stuff required was dawning on me.  Could I have put some in when joining?  Maybe.

The next step was regret.  I regretted not attaching these bloody spikes first!  I began by naively trying to simply glue them on.  Which, thanks to my shaking ape fingers didnt go so well.  After some crying and tea drinking, I decided on another approach.

Using the drill, I drilled holes to the size of the spikes own sprue.  The very things holding the spikes onto the sprue would serve as resin pins, or plugs.  The result was smooth and much easier insertion.

On a time limit, I crudely attached her to the base with some extra green stuff and super glue.  Then, came the waiting.  And sleep.

Then came the real fun.  Something I'd been dreading since I started.  The Slaaneshi dread locks.  Inspired by all that is wrong in the world, these resin lenths were brought her to destroy me. Thankfully, I had recently discovered coffee.  Which incidently sounds great when you replace all sentances with Warp in it with Coffee.

"I feel the Coffee overtaking me.  It is a good pain."

The resin dreads needed to be bent after being submerged in boiled water for about eight or so seconds.  The resin was a good mix so there was little risk of melting entirely.  Though I had to hold it as it cooled in its new position. Each Dread was then drilled and pinned to the head working from the bottom up to ensure none banged into each other. A bit of GS to fill the gaps and boom.  Not so scary after all.

Though that said, the left horn component wasn't complete and had to be filled and sculpted to completion.  Not my best work, but it does the job.

The base was detailed with some spare resin details.  As we see have a Craftworld Eldar and Space Marine player, well, the base had to have some heads on it.

Once secured, the base was lavishly coated in superglue and submerged in basing sand.  This process was repeated until the resin bits were level with the sand and no GS was showing.

The base was finally coated in watered PVA glue, to seal down the sand bits and keep them from being scrapped off.  It also helps the priming coat I find.

And that was that.  In total around 6 hours work.  For 666pts, not a bad offering.  Thankfully I don't have to paint her.  The arms mean she will need some special carrying and storage methods, I'd recommend pluck pack or something with a big space and a lot of give.  If the sword breaks, this conversion by Sersi, I spotted on Dakka provides a great rebuild idea making it a staff.  Its from an amazing Slaaneshi custom build army found here.

Rules wise, its too early to tell, but her abilitys in combat are somewhat insane.  Her weakness as usual will be against D weapons, but these days there is always something in the newest codex.

Thanks for reading.

R

A Prison for Gods - End of Turn 1 Summary

The first month of battles in the Faustian system has been furious on Rust, while the open spaces on Warrens End have left the fronts relatively quiet.  Acre has seen some skirmishes, and on Nolan, a major "accident" brought an entire Imperial Guard regiment into conflict with the Black Scorpions chapter.

So where to we start?  

After 1 month, the procedure is to allow everyone to claim a sector adjacent to one of their territories.  This represents the natural expansion of a Players controlled territories and slowly brings more enemies into contact with another.  This is done in order from the Player with the lowest controlled sectors up. 

After this has been done, comes the counting of territories which will establish the Turns Conquest Points.  These points are then placed into one of two categories:

Faction Points, which forward the agenda of the Faction, or Personal Points, which alternatively push the agenda of the Players own forces instead.  This in turn can cause internal conflict, internecine fights and even, possibly, worse.

The current score lies as follows.

Sentinels of Fire - 13 Faction Points
Thomas - 5 Faction (Grand Warlord Trait not applicable)
Kaia - 5 Faction
William - 3 Faction and 4 Personal (GW Trait = Sworn Enemy Jack)

Bringers of Silence - 20 Faction Points
Rory  - 9 Faction
Jack - 5 Faction and 12 Personal (7 from territory, 5 from GW Trait)
Magnus - 6 Faction (Grand Warlord Trait not applicable)

Bearers of Change - 12 Faction Points
Eivind - 12 Faction and 5 Personal. (GW Trait = Beasthunter)
(Note: Extra Territory from Player drop out)

True to the background of the campaign, the sudden emergence of support from outside the sector has seen some devestating but not war winning gains by the Bringers of Silence.  But as the dust settles from the initial exchange, surprises will be less likely.  Easy victories may become harder to repeat as tactics adapt.  Territories are quickly being swallowed up by the Relentless Assualt and soon the swirling melee will be tight and brutal as no safe ground can be found.

Situational Report.

Rust.

After the dead began to rise on Rust, the Dark Eldar seized a precious artefact for their patrons, while the Craftworld kin now seek to evacuate the old Maiden World.  Promises of return have been made, but for now, it seems the world eternally dying will be left to the tender mercies of the insane Archon Ozzy.

Warrens End.

While largely left out of the conflict, expansions by the planet side factions are raising tensions. Also, rumours of the blood cult in the mountain range have been uncovered to be something altogether more sinister, as Genestealers have been reported ravaging outlaying home steads.  Meanwhile, the Deathkorp and the nearby Imperial Guard regiment have fully mobilised against one another.

Nolan.

After the incident between the 501st and the Black Scorpions reached its peak and after the massacre at the Spaceport, Nolan looks fit to burst in conflict.  While the space marines have brutally cut the Imperial Guard in two, the population of Adeptus Mechanicum is not taking kindly to the reported pillaging of resources from the Astartes. 

Acre.

Tyranids across the warded parks and training forests of Acre have awoken to a call.  Though no Hive Fleet has been sighted, the xenos are acting in sudden unison.  If left unchecked the planet could fall.  Meanwhile, the Craftworld Eldar have pushed hard against the limited Dark Eldar garrison there, most likely reinforced and angered at the horrific losses on Rust. 

So what's next?

Well we are still in Phase 1, though we are now in the second half, or turn 2. Having ceased with challenges, we are now seeing freely arranged games and some special ones too.  Like the special game on Rust, a Crisis mission, these special missions allow for something a little different and offer rewards not based on territory.
For example: Right now, both Williams and Jack's Eldar forces have "Rust Veterans" who possess Shred on their attacks, so used are they to making sure their enemies stay down.
Over the next couple of weeks amid the normal carnage, I'm hoping to make 1 more Crisis mission for at least 2 more of the planets.  As well as pushing the narrative forward.

"Moth Balled" on Nolan and "Eyes in the mist" for Acre.

The Necrons have yet to appear.  Though a Big end game for the end of Phase 1 has been plotted. :)
Though a Ctan's shard was reported recovered on Rust, what this means for now remains a mystery.  As we move closer to the end of the 1st chapter in this story, we can expect more to be uncovered.

A Prison for Gods: The Story so far. (Fluff heavy!)

The War in Heaven.

Approximately 60 Million years ago, the galaxy was dominated by two very different species: The Old Ones and the Necrontyr. The Necrontyr, short lived and miserable in their mortality looked upon the mysterious Old Ones with jealousy.  The Old Ones were immortal, only death by injury could take them, but they would not share this secret.

The Triarchs, the rulers of the Necrontyr society sought a way to stop the terrible infighting that had crippled their species’ expansion for a long time.  Seeing hope in offering a common enemy, the Triarchs used a war against these selfish immortal Old Ones as a way to unify the Necrontyr.
While the Old Ones were masters of the warp the Necrontyr, whilst mortal, were masters of Science and of the laws of the real.  To the other races of that galaxy it seemed as if the Gods themselves had gone to war.

In the end, it was the mobility of the Old One’s webways that won that early portion of the war.  The Necrontyr, blunted by so much conflict, fell into old habits and began fighting amongst themselves once more.

It was at this point that the C’tan appeared.  Unfathomable entities of energy, the C’tan were eaters of the stars themselves, stellar vampires that were Gods in all but name.  Able to alter reality to suit their needs, their dislike of the warp-spawned antics of the Old Ones pushed them closer to the goals of the Necrontyr.  It has been said that it was the raw hatred of the Old Ones that sang out across the stars, attracting the C’tan like flies to a corpse.

Some say that the C’tan later known as the Deceiver first approached the Silent King of the Necrontyr, some that it was the Silent King approached them.  Either way, a devils bargain was struck. For the Immortality they so desired, the Necrontyr leadership gave away their peoples’ souls and their free will, becoming creatures of metal and energy.  Undying, unrelenting and forever condemning their name to become synonymous with death.  They would be known as Necrontyr no longer, but as the Necrons.

The war began a fresh, the terrible power of the Necrons unburdened by life alongside the ancient star gods pushed the Old Ones into new levels of desperation.  New child races were made, the K’nib, the Eldar, the Krork and the Jakoaro, each tapping into the energies of the warp.  The immaterium screamed under the burden just as much as the C’tan reeled from this anethma that threatened to turn the tide.

Against these warp spawned powers, the Necrons and the C’tan began a great undertaking to cut the galaxy off from the Immaterium.  Beginning in what would later be known as the Cadian Gate, gigantic pylons silenced the warp and rendered these psykers useless.  At the same time, the C’tan known as the Burning One taught the Necrons how to breach the Old Ones Web Ways with Dolmen Gates, finally seizing the initiative.

As the fortunes of the Necrontyr waxed, the Old One’s waned.  Their efforts to weaponise the peaceful Immaterium had unleashed the Enslaver Plague, decimating their race to extinction and tainting the creatures of the warp into daemons.  The ensuing conclusion of the war was quick as it was bloody.  Entire systems died as the vengeful and merciless Necrons hunted the Old Ones down.

The Silent King of the Necrons, who had been patiently waiting for his chance, saw one of his enemies defeated, the other glutton and tired.  Seeing his opportunity, he struck, betraying their patrons the C’tan and finally revenging his race’s lost souls in a campaign that shattered the star gods and obliterated entire systems.  Over 50 million Necrons died as did the great Triarch, all but the Silent King.  Each shard of those former gods was sealed away into Tesseract Vaults.  As they were the stuff of the universe itself the C’tan could not be so easily killed and the destruction of one in particular had been disastrous, unleashing the dreaded Flayer Virus that would forever plague them.
Broken and imprisoned, the C’tan had gone from Masters to Slaves.

Victorious in a ruined galaxy, the Necrons retreated to their Tomb Worlds, sleeping away the eons with the intent on returning when nature had rebuilt what had been lost.  Destroying the command protocols, the Silent King left the galaxy, knowing he had failed his race.

The Silent King, in his silence, held many secrets.  But as all sentient life know:  The truth will out.

The Faustus Sub-Sector – A Timeline.

The Faustus Sub-Sector upon the borders between the holy Segmentum Solar and the vast expanse of Segmentum Ultra.  Located deep on the spiral and decorated by an old dwarf star, it has a long history mostly lost to ruin.  Its history, though not exceptional to those living there, is non the less interesting, if you know where to dig.  Be careful what you find.

• C.M28 - Signs of prior Eldar colonisation on the human designated world of Woad.  Referred to by the surviving Eldar as Agetha, this Maiden World was suddenly evacuated by its Exodite Eldar people, leaving her empty and waiting for new owners.
• 004.M31 - The Faustus Sub-Sector is first colonised by humans during the Great Crusade.  Beginning with the planet listed as PX-R55Kappa (later known as Nest), the colonists would later expand to take advantage of the rest of the system.
• 014.M31 - During the Horus Heresy, the Sub-Sector was largely untouched, deemed to be of no tactical worth.  After the Heresy, Nolan was taken by the Adeptus Mechanicus by force, claiming Exploratory rights to some undisclosed Archeotech found by dust miners.
• C.M35 – The Ur-Council of the Nova Terra Interregnum dismisses the authority of the High Lords of Terra beginning the era of twin Imperiums.  Finally reaching the Faustus Sub-Sector, the new Ur-Council establishes a “capital” on Warren’s End.  While the system is largely untouched by direct conflict, the discovery of Woad draws both the older Imperium and the Nova Terra into a system wide war.  As neither side is willing to fight on the planet itself, it is dubbed the “War of the Maidens Hand.”
• C.M36 – The tech adepts of Nolan intervene against the Ur-Council.  Adeptus Mechcanicum assassins systematically remove key figureheads while religious iconoclasts from Nest organise a revolt.  The Imperial Ecclesiarchy enforces it’s presence on Warren’s End.  No thanks is sent to Nolan, though several Mechanicum dig sites appear in Nest’s underhives.
• C.M36 - The Age of Apostasy.  The Sub-Sector going largely unaffected by the turmoil bar for a several small revolts.  More military forces are redeployed away from Faustus leaving the door open for corrupt criminal elements which set up shop on Tresium.  The planets Adeptus Arbiters establish Cold Zone cordons continents wide.  Xenos piratical elements such as Ork Freebooters and Dark Eldar reavers are recorded.
• C.M37 - During the Thorian Reformation, the Forge World of Nolan test fires one of its many classified weapons called the Annex-Mort.  It malfunctions, striking across the space and hitting the verdant world of Woad.  The green planet is killed within hours, every life form being reduced by radiation into brown mud.  In the panic, many Tech Adepts flee the planet.  Entire data stacks are purged.  An internal investigation condemned the act as ignorance punishable by death although rumours persist of deliberate intent.  The Forgeworld is censured hard, the majority of its sacred tech is removed.  The process however, is long and with warp travel as unpredictable as it is, much remains, sitting mothballed and forgotten.
• C.M38 – The small world of Wake is discovered by a lost system patrol ship.  The vessel is later found adrift, the crew having massacred each other in a sleep like state.
• 001.M40 - The Warp Storm classified as the Depths of Gorath explodes into the Sub-Sector, yet moves to a snail’s pace as it approaches.  The world of Sordid in its rotation begins getting closer each year and begins to show signs of corruption.  Chaos raiders emerge from the Depths and begin torturing the population with slave runs.  Imperial Guard regiments are summoned to assist.
• 025.M40 – The conflict caused by the Depths of Gorath escalates.  More Imperial Guard are brought in on rotation.  Nest is invaded showing the dangers.  The Inquisition takes interest.
• C.M41 – An unidentified rogue planet is detected moving through the system, the Warp Storms abate and demonic assaults falter.  Using the opportunity, the Imperial Forces push back, cleaning Nest and quarantining Sordid.
• C.M41 -The space hulk classified as The Gospel of Fear enters the System.  Rogue Traders and scavengers from Tresium make several attempts at boarding actions but are called off after several unexplained fatalities.  The Hulk is marked and it path monitored.
• 750.M41 – The Emperors Tarot unilaterally tells of a Great Devourer eating itself.  Several Astropaths commit suicide.
• 760.M41 – Hive Fleet Cruach enters the system and attacks the world of Acre.  Responding to emergency summons, the Astartes of the Black Scorpions come to assist eliminating the fleets Hive ships and rendering the Tyranids leaderless.  Questions are asked as to why the Space Marines were already in system…
• 761.M41 – Under special edict, the world of Acre that is still infested by Tyranids, is turned into a training site for specialist troops.  Astartes of the Deathwatch and other forces come to train against live Tyranid organisms that seem under control without any synapse creatures.
• 801.M41 – The Devils Bargain incident starts a cold war between Inquisitor Craven and Dormengast.  From the gutters of Tresium to the airless Wake, agents and Inquisitional assets murder each other as the two go to war.
• 801.M41 – The results of the Devils Bargain reach fruition as Imperial Regiments turn on each other, Xenos invade the system at the behest of Craven while Dormengast summons the most pure and faithful.  From the Depths spill more Chaos hordes than ever and on Acre, the Tyranids are suddenly getting smarter…

A Devil’s bargain.

Over the course of months, the Radical Inquisitor Yvasilli Craven, once lauded as the Sectors fiercest and most puritanical within the Ordo Xenos, has become emissary to one he was deigned to fight. Bringing the word of an unknown Necron Overlord, he has worked tirelessly to negotiate with and entreat with all manner of forces:  From Imperial Commanders to Alien Raiding hosts.  His offers are always seemingly too good to be true, but too good to ignore, displaying a disturbing level of insight into who these offers are being made to.

For the Inquisitor and many of the Imperial Commanders in the area, it was the potential gift of the Necron Pylon network, reportedly similar in design to those still found along the Cadian Gate.  If deployed in the Faustus Sub Sector, it could silence the Warp Storm and deny the Great Enemy a means to attack so easily, potentially snuffing out the Depths.  It would end the conflict and bring prosperity.  A victory.  To others wealth or power.  In one fell swoop, Imperial commanders, Space Marine Captains, Eldar Farseers and more were separated by one principle: Does the end justify the means?

But what of the cost?  

The Necron asked for one small service: Help finding a lost world, set rogue by events billions of years ago:  Somnium.

Left on an erratic rotation, it would be coursing through the Sub-Sector at a specific time, while old remnants of technology were left that could locate it.  The planet has nothing of importance spare to the Necrons secret agenda.  A simple deal, were it not for those who not only refused the gesture, but now work against it.  Inquisitor Dormenghast, a pious member of the Ordos Hereticus, has picked up the scent of corruption.  Learning of the dealings between Craven and Xenos, he now works in the shadows and out of them, gathering trusted military forces, undermining the works of Craven wherever possible.

Across the Sub-Sector, Inquisitorial assets and agents fought a clandestine war in the shadows. Assassinating key enemy authorities and replacing their own.  Things would come to ahead with the death of the planetary Governor on Warren’s End.  The identity of the murderers would become irrelevant after Inquisitor Dormenghast publicly outed his rival and thumbed him as the detractor.
The resulting hysteria saw many of Craven’s agents dragged into the light for public executions, while his allies went underground.  In retaliation, Craven was forced to call in the favours and across nearly all the worlds of Faustus chaos erupted.

Across Warrens End and beyond, Planetary Defence forces revolted, or simply deserted their posts. Stationed Imperial Guard regiments turned on their allies in pre-planned betrayals.  Cold Zoners on Tresium began a new wave of gang wars, distant outposts were hit by strike teams and even on Nolan the Mechanicum found their fellow Tech-Priests had already made arrangements.  The Adeptus Arbites on Warrens End barred their doors and waited for the madness to end, seeing no true enemy in the confusion.

Despite early gains however, Dormengast held the home advantage, using Imperial propaganda and faith to reinforce his armies.  It seemed as if Craven’s gamble would be stopped before it truly began.
Suddenly, the Sub-system’s outer listening posts detected unidentified signatures.  Craven’s other friends had made their play and entered the fray.  Xenos raiders of all stripes invaded, sparing their predetermined allies and cutting straight for the loyalists of Dormengast.

Meanwhile from the vengeful Depths of Gorath emerged a new wave of Chaos daemons, pushing hard on the already taxed and confused system ships, they made planet fall deep in the Sub-Sector. Temples to the eightfold path were erected on the bone-fields of entire cities and daemons began cavorting in the streets.  Both alarmed at the plans of the Bringers of Silence and taking advantage of the turmoil, for the forces of Chaos this could be their last chance to take the Sub-Sector for their dark Gods…

A shadow over the warp made navel assistance troublesome as the first tell tale signs of an impending Tyranid invasion started making an appearance.  Their intent their own, their actions were met with rejoice amongst the daemon hordes of khorne, who cared not, from whence the blood flowed.

The sides now balanced, the Faustus Schism began in blood-drenched earnest.

The Schism begins.

A coalition of Imperial servants, Adeptus Astartes, Xenos and worse has invaded the Sub-Sector seemingly well organised and of one intent: Conquest.  The Imperial defenders of the Sub-Sector, rotated in over the last few months stand against them with their own allies from unexpected corners. Even as these two forces collide, on the sides work the ever-watchful eyes of the raider, the brute and the corrupting.

While the wars and conflicts are held within but a few worlds, the quest to find the Rogue Planet will see the fires spread out into the rest of the Sub-Sector.  Following clues and signs made before their species even walked upright, a race against time has begun.  For they who can reach Somnium first, holds the fate of Faustus and beyond in their hands.

A Prison for Gods: Phase 1 Worlds

For Phase 1 the Players will be deploying on 1 or more of the following planets.  Each one has its own background and history, some of which offers some hint of things to come.  They also possess some compulsory rules representing the affect fighting on that world will enforce.

Warren’s End

Warren's End

Official Designation: Warren Secundus
Population: c. 6.7 Billion >>
Settlement Stamp: C.M35
Tithe: Vermillion
Corruption Decline: Mutations 1/1000
Military Presence: Impressive

The official capital world of the Subsector.  Warren’s End is a temperate world, large and moderately populated.  The planet is unusual in its ability to exist without aid from other worlds, for example it possesses a continents worth of agricultural land and its own licensed and approved Manufactorum, since the incident on Nolan.

Originally developed to serve as the Ur-Council’s base in the area, Warrens End was established with a solid infrastructure.  Built up to be the perfect example of Nova Terra Ingterregnum’s perfect world, it possessed not only agricultural production, but its own manufactorums.  Thus unaffected by nearby losses, it quickly became a tactical location.  After the Ur-Council was removed following the end of the Maidens Hand war, Warren’s End was recycled as the capital world for the Imperium returned.

Thousands of Ecclesiarchal cathedrals and monastarys were built to celebrate the change in power.  

Despite this the planet has largely been regarded as somewhat jaded, despite the Minostorum’s best and most violent efforts.  Luckily, a strong presence of off world Imperial Guard and Sororitas ensures stability.

Acre 

Acre

Official Designation: Acre Primarus
Population: c. 1.2 Million
Settlement Stamp: C.M35
Tithe: Extraordinarii (ref – Inq/dw)
Corruption Decline: Mutations 1/100000
Military Presence: Essential (Specialist Rotation – Inq/Dw)

Originally a world planned for conversion into an agri-world, Acre’s future was changed the moment the dreaded Tyranids entered the galaxy.  The invasion saw the world made ripe for digestion, her wild life and plants turned into carnivorous and hostile creatures.  

Acre is the only world under a dying red dwarf.  Despite this Acre lives on as a lush and vibrant world, once considered the ugly sister of the maiden Woad, before the accident.

Only thanks to the suspiciously quick arrival of the Black Scorpions chapter was the Hive Fleet designated Cruach defeated.  In a rare twist of fate, the death of the fleets key synapse creatures mean the horde on the planet below lacked the vital connection to the hive mind.  Left mindless and instinctual monsters, a decision was made by the Inquisition to pen the surviving xenos into great pens.  Once contained and under the watchful gaze of a dedicated garrison of wardens, Acre would become a training world.  From across the sector proper, Imperial Guard regiments would come to undergo gruelling trials.  They would also find themselves sharing space with Adeptus Astartes and even the Death Watch.

The continent spanning forests of Acre, filled with its resistant Ironbark and hostile wildlife, are now segregated by miles high fences of concrete or powered laser.  The wardens patrol constantly by landspeeder and orbiting stations overlook everything. Recently however, the aliens have been acting odd.  Testing the miles high fences and acting with some intellect…

- Oppressive Canopy: Night Fight rules are in effect for the entire duration of the game. 

Nolan

Nolan

Official Designation: Nolan XVII
Population: c. 1.5 Billion <<
Settlement Stamp: C.M35
Tithe: Extraordinarii (ref – Inq/dw)
Corruption Decline: Mutations 1/5m
Military Presence: Reducta Skitarii

On the southern deep arm of the Sub-sector lies Nolan, sitting amid a nebula of various gasses.  Nolan was once a core Forgeworld well known for its retained knowledge of Conversion Beamer technology.  Sadly, at the turn of M41, a weapons test rendered a nearby world maiden world of Woad into a nuclear wasteland.  The scandal saw so much censure that the Forgeworlds STC catalogue was reduced, though many great Manufactorum stand silent, awaiting the day they are dismantled and moved off world.  That world destroyed was ever after referred to as Rust.

- Corrosive Atmosphere: For the duration of the Mission, all armour save rolls of a 6 must be re-rolled. Armour Penetration rolls of a 1 must be re-rolled.

"Rust"

"Rust"

Official Designation: Rust Tertius ni Woad
Population: Unknown
Settlement Stamp: C.M35
Tithe: Nil
Corruption Decline: Nil
Military Presence: Nil

Rust, previously known as Woad, was a verdant paradise, some alleged to be a former Maiden World of the Eldar.  After a weapons test went wrong, the world’s atmosphere was bombarded by so much radioactivity that most of the planets life withered and died.  As an odd side effect, the lack of bacteria slowed down decomposition, making Rust’s once lush fields turn brown and sick.  Despite this, some tribes still exist on Rust, and it is still a rare source of metals essential in the construction and repair of heavier battle armour such as Terminator armour.

– Radioactive Hot Zone: Weapons that have the “Gets Hot” special rule get hot on a roll of 1 or 2.