What had started as a tense stand off had quickly changed to a strange philosophical debate on the the Cult that had taken the Imperium by storm, becoming its most powerful influence. Many of his brothers chimed in on the matter. Many stood against Seelenbrand, some stuck in the middle. And now he was looked upon to cast the final judgement. He closed his eyes for a moment, looking as if he were listening to someone speak to him. When they opened, there was a look of fiery steel in them, the decision clearly made. He walked into the midst of the Astartes, right in between the Inquisitor and Traitor. "When I look upon this supposed Ecclesiarchy my heart weeps, as I know it is everything our Emperor stood against. Superstition. Fantaticism. A people who are blind, shepherded by men unworthy of their position. You all know as well as I that what the truth is. The Imperial Truth. But it is already clear that was lost centuries ago. But Seelendbrand isn't wrong, this 'faith' has brought forth unity and hope to the Imperium. Without the guidance of the Primarchs, it very well could have fallen already. You are right on one account Inquisitor, we Astartes cannot dictate the faith of the people. It isn't our right, and it is beyond our control. Even if we brought the temples on Terra crashing down it would change little. But faith isn't what concerns me. What concerns me are the power hungry High Lords who care only for their own gain at the expense of the Imperium. What concerns me is the tales of Imperial Admirals sending off the Astartes to fight their battles as they don't wish to spare the resources. And the leaders of this faith use it not to unite the people, but rather force them into submission. I do not wish to take away the people's faith Inquisitor, it isn't in my power to do so. But I will break the back of the High Lords and the Ecclesiarch, and root out the corruption that is finishing the job Horus started. And I know you aren't the man to help us in this endeavor." As he finished speaking Zuriel stepped before Sariel and faced the Inquisitor, putting his helmet back on and pulling up his hood, and crossing his twin Crozius' over his chest. "My brothers, to save the Imperium we cannot be apart of it. The corruption is to deep set in to many high places. Only from the outside can we rip it out by the roots. If you truly wish to serve the Emperor, to save his dream for mankind then join me, or stand by the wayside and contribute to its downfall."
~~ Turm IV - Team Primus - Seelenbrands Arrival ~~ @matt23 | @Keidivh | @ItsTime | @Avenging-Angel | @Valonox | @TechCaptain | @seabass | @BadDo9 "If that is your decision... The only thing I can pray for you is that your allies of the past respond to your call and hope that someone will aid you, for the Imperium cannot support your actions. We will not stand there and watch you take our leadership, rip it apart and murder the highest members of the divisions that allow the Imperium to function. But..." Seelenbrand sighed, turning his back onto the group and starting to make for the exit. "Perhaps I might have arrived too late. When the Iron Liberator and all it's crew were already gone. Perhaps I know nothing of the plans of the Rusted Legion, merely left with doubt of whether they disembarked to slay Golbez as instructed, or if they betrayed the Imperium as feared. But... Should they be encountered, the Rusted Legion might need to be prepared to fight for their lives against the forces of the Imperium. And don't think I agree with your means, I merely believe you understand, and perhaps I am too young to understand the amount of drastic things need to be done, perhaps blinded by my own education. But I will not be part of it. And whomever wishes to not be part either, may come with me." The Dark Angel merely stood there without much of a reaction as he stood fully clad, Power Sword held relaxed. Player Attack: Spoiler N/A Enemy Attack: Spoiler N/A Primus 'Enemies': 1 Dark Angel - ?/? WL | ? Armor - ? hits, Ignores ? Armor 1 Inquisitor & Master of the Forge Imperial Fist, Seelenbrand - ?/? WL | ? Armor - ? hits, Ignores ? Armor OOC: Player Status: Zuriel - 5/9 WL | 5 Armor Equipment: Spoiler Astartes Combat Knife - 3 hits Chainsword 1H - 3 hits, ignores 1 Armor Crozius Arcanum - 5 hits, ignores 2 Armor Crozius of the Eighteen Primarchs - 6 hits, ignores 2 Armor 2H Power Halberd - 8 hits, ignores 3 armor Bolt Pistol - 4 hits, Ignores 1 Armor 1 Frag Grenade - 6 hits, AoE Jump Pack Talents: Spoiler Master of the Rage - feed off the Black Rage to ignore 4 damage and get +4 damage for the next turn. Can be used once per deployment. Templar Halberd - get permanently a 2H Power Halberd - replaces former primary melee weapon Grandmaster of the Rage - Ignore 6 hits + 6 hits bonus for the next 2 turns (can be used once per deployment; replaces 'Master of the Rage' talent; Active Talent) Memories of Blood - Zuriel either through biting people or otherwise retrieve blood of others can drink blood in order to get see the most important memory of someone's recent life events. This can however have negative after effects in the shape of the Red Thirst (Passive Talent) Claudius - 10/10 WL | 5 Armor 1 Blue Meteor Use left Equipment: Spoiler Chainsword 1H - 3 hits, ignores 1 Armor Astartes Combat Knife - 3 hits Calth's Vengeance (formerly 'Fudge Breakah') - 8 hits, ignores 5 armor, AoE Master-crafted Powerfist - 8 hits, Ignores 3 Armor Bolt Pistol - 4 hits, Ignores 1 Armor Champion's Shield [Strap; Allows second hand free.] (Blocks 2 [3] damage; causes 3 hits) [1/3 hits till next degradation] 1 Frag Grenade - 6 hits, AoE Jump Pack Talents: Spoiler Blue Meteor - crush with full-speed via Jump Pack into an enemy, attack with 3 hits, ignore all armor. Can be used twice per deployment (bonus attack, does not take one hand up) Junior Admiral - Gain oversight of Void battles and overall see and predict what your enemy's stratagems are. (Also helps in boarding fights, identifying weak spots when boarding, ship layouts, etc.) Survivor of the Warp - Surviving in the warp and fighting Daemons day in, day out is one of the best training routines there are in the galaxy. Gain permanently +1 WL & +1 Hits on all attacks Jacen - 4/9 WL | 5 Armor Equipment: Spoiler Tulwar (replaces Combat Knife) - 3 hits 1H Power Spear - 5 hits, Ignores 2 Armor Force Hood Bolt Pistol - 4 hits, Ignores 1 Armor Bolter - 6 hits, Ignores 2 Armor 1 Frag Grenade - 6 hits, AoE 1 Krak Grenade - 3 hits vs. Infantry | 10 hits vs. Vehicles | Ignores 4 Armor 2 Kraken Clips - Ignore 2 Armor Talents: Spoiler Free Spirit - Gain clearance on experimental weapons and/or alien equipment Eye of the Hunter - Land 1 guaranteed critical hit, negate all critical misses for the this turn (Active Talent, can be used twice per deployment. Spirit of the Great Khan - The leadership of Jaghatai seems to settle within Jacen. Great bravery and strength can inspire others when charging right into the enemy. [Active Talent; +1 hits for every nearby player character, including Jacen, lasts 2 turns; can be used twice per deployment. Scar of the Warp - Having endured a Horror's scratch right across a body part, Jacen's body managed to adapt to warp wounds. While the scar might be still hurting from time to time, his overall warp resistance increased. The scar also burns stronger when near Psykers or warp effects [Passive Talent; Grants Lexicanum rank psyker powers to Jacen] Bargov - 8/9 WL | 5 Armor Equipment: Spoiler Astartes Combat Knife - 3 hits Bolt Pistol - 4 hits, Ignores 1 Armor Compact Suppression Heavy Bolter (10) [AOE x 2.5 instead of x 2.0] (Ignores 3 Armor) + Heavy Weapon Artificer (+1 hit) Heavy Ordinator Missile Launcher (based on missile) [+2 hits on every missile] 1 Frag Grenade - 6 hits, AoE 1 Krak Grenade - 3 hits vs. Infantry | 10 hits vs. Vehicles | Ignores 4 Armor ∞ Frag Missiles - 7 hits, AoE ∞ Krak Missiles - 3 hits vs. Infantry | 13 hits vs. Vehicles | Ignores 4 Armor Ammo Backpack Bionic Leg (Easier movement/ Less tiring.) Talents: Spoiler Leg Stabilizer - Can be used twice per deployment. Shoot little hooks from the feet into the ground to gain 1 re-roll, incl. crit. fails for all ranged attacks. Path of the Machine - Bargov has learned the basics of what it means to become a Techmarine, heck! He even might go to Mars for proper priesthood. (Guaranteed Insta-fix jammed weapons up to 2 times per deployment; Active Talent; Passive Bonus: Eligible for Techmarine training) Erxandros - 9/9 WL | 5 Armor Equipment: Spoiler Astartes Combat Knife - 3 hits Omnissian Power Axe - 5 hits, Ignores 2 Armor Servo Arm (Reference) - used for lifting, reparing vehicles, etc. | 4 hits Spoiler Sealance Launcher w/ Ammo Pack - 10 hits, Ignores 3 armor 1 Frag Grenade - 6 hits, AoE 1 Krak Grenade - 3 hits vs. Infantry | 10 hits vs. Vehicles | Ignores 4 Armor Bionic Eye (Better sight/spotting) 1 Sacred Urgent Combat Shield (Non-strapped) 2 All-Round Mechadendrites - used for restraining, slapping, grabbing, data-tethering Talents: Spoiler Iron Serpent - get a Mechadendrite (can be outfitted differently on per-deployment base) Scrapcode Mastery - Erxandros learned the techniques of scrapcoding from Iron Maiden which allows him to have a chance of remotely hacking all sort of Servitors and potentially even Magi, Warpsmiths and Techmarines, perhaps even Machine Spirits (i.e. upset a Plasma weapon for higher chance of explosion). It also allows to block scrapcode attacks against Erxandros at a better rate (Passive & Active Talent) Techmarine Expert! - Gain a 2nd universal Mechadendrite & Better chance at hacking, repairs & other Techmarine tasks (Passive Talent) Servo-Punch - Use your Servo-Arm as a deadly melee weapon by charging it with an electric field and giving it an extra swing [5 hits, ignore all armor, including vehicles) (Active Talent; can be used every 2 turns) Mariel - 6/8 [9] WL | 5 Armor 1 Unhealable wound from Significant Plasma Wound Sealance stuck in left chest. Plasma Gun is malfunctioning until fixed by Erxandros or Bargov Equipment: Spoiler Astartes Combat Knife - 3 hits Plasma Gun - 5 hits, Ignores 4 Armor Plasma Gun (Overcharge) - 5 hits, Ignores 4 Armor (each hit causes 2 damage, crits. cause 5 damage) Bolt Pistol - 4 hits, Ignores 1 Armor Bolter - 6 hits, Ignores 2 Armor 1 Krak Grenade - 3 hits vs. Infantry | 10 hits vs. Vehicles | Ignores 4 Armor 2 Kraken Clips - Ignore 2 Armor Hooded Robe Vahn - 7/9 WL | 5 Armor Equipment: Spoiler Human Longsword (replaces Combat Knife) - 3 hits 1H Master-Crafted Artificer Power-Sword - 8 hits, Ignores 3 Armor Bolt Pistol - 4 hits, Ignores 1 Armor Wrist-Mounted Bolter - 6 hits, Ignores 2 Armor 1 Frag Grenade - 6 hits, AoE 1 Krak Grenade - 3 hits vs. Infantry | 10 hits vs. Vehicles | Ignores 4 Armor Talents: Spoiler Lucky Fella - in critical situations you might end up just lucky... Agile Velocity - while health is full, be immune against crit. hits. Dual Wielder - 1 guaranteed hit when fighting with 1 hand in each weapon (does not count for 1 two-handed weapon, still applies to wrist-mounted or shoulder-mounted weapons) Xarxis - 9/9 WL | 3 Armor Equipment: Spoiler Needle Sniper Rifle - 4 hits, effects depend on needle Stalker Bolt Pistol - 4 hits, Ignores 1 Armor + 1 Missed hit Re-Roll (re-rolls crit fails.) Shock Blade x2 - 4 hits, Ignores 1 Armor Cameleoline Cloak - Narrative Aid for Stealth 3 x Explosive Needles - 6 hits, Ignores 2 Armor 3 x Toxin Needles - 4 hits, causes Poison 1 (-1 WL per turn; -2 WL vs. hordes) 3 x Knock-Out Needles - 4 hits, causes Stun 1 (causes Stun for 1 turn; doesn't work vs. hordes) 1 x Seelenbrand's Needle - Instant Kills anything (Incl. Bosses) Shock Blade Info: Chance of stun for each hit that PENETRATES armor (causes at least -1 WL), stuns on 4,6,8 Crit. Hits that penetrate armor are automatically 1 turn stun. For narrative purposes the user can choose whether to knock out or kill. So if during a combat a player wants to only knock an enemy unconscious and the enemy reaches 0 Wounds, he will be merely unconscious for an arbitrary time determined at GMs discretion. Whereas if the player intends to kill, the enemy will die as intended.
@Uriel1339 Zuriel thought there were few things left in the Universe that could surprise him between going rogue to save the Imperium and... well, other things. But the fact that Seelenbrand was willing to let them live spoke much about the righteousness in their cause, as it spoke of more support than the Inquisitor bothered to show. Now however he waited on an even more important decision. That of his brothers. @Team Primus "If any of you choose to leave, I will not hold it against you. But I will remind you that if we are not successful, if we fail to purify the Imperium, it will die. Even if it costs us our lives and honor, no price is to high to pay to prevent such a thing."
Erxandros shook his head. " Zuriel, Claudius you two are not wrong. I in my heart choose your side in the matter but the method of outside won't work. We tried that and failed. Golbez is a clear and present danger now. Lets fight the enemy in front of us then work smartly and slowly from the inside. The rot is to deep to make quick actions Influence counters influence. So and steady method. Inquisitor lets let these not traitors move as they would for this dark angel ksnt your enemy but golbez is. Find him and that is one less threat." He moved next to the scout and laid an arm on his shoulder. " Nicely done. Fighting should wait until their is a need not an impatience. Thank you cousin.",
Claudius did not more from his position, nor was he moved by any of Zuriel's words. He merely stood ready should any of the younger members decide to, once again, make a foolish choice and force his hand against them. "You are either with us or against us, from this point on. For though water and oil may flow in the same direction, they can not come together as one," he said in a stern voice.
< @Keidivh @matt23 @TechCaptain > Xarxis looked at the techmarine and nodded his head in a silent acceptance of his words. It had not been his intention, and they were not on his mind as of yet. "And why should I be with you?" he growled softly, staring at what seemed to be the two leading figures. "This 'ally' of yours confined and tortured me. You do not seem to be straight in your own minds, never mind a team." he scoffs. "I couldn't care less about what you think of the cult. Even if I agree with what you say.. why should I join you in this crusade."
Claudius pointed his hammer at Xarxis, "You would join us to know the truth of what is really happening. Should you return to this -new- Imperium, you would return back behind the shroud of lies where you can not tell friend from foe. This squad may not agree with each, but we understand the true gravity of what is at stake." He then pointed to Sariel, "He shall not be leading us, but merely pointing us to where the traitor hides. And if he has done as you say, then I am sure you wish to know more of him and returning with the Inquisitor will not give you those answers."
@TechCaptain Zuriel pondered the Techmarines words for a moment, seeking a somewhat less curt answer. "I understand your reservations brother, but if rejoin now, do you really think Seelenbrand will give us another chance? No. We must rely on the resources we have and the few friends we have left to destroy Golbaz and purify our home." @BadDo9 "Aye lad you're right, it doesn't matter what we think of the Cult. What matters is the Imperium is dying. Not from Xenos or Traitor Legions, but by its own stagnation and corruption. You ask why you should be with us? Be with us to save what our Fathers fought and died for. Or stand by and watch it die while you do nothing like the rest." Zuriel rest his weapons on his shoulder now, seeing as the immediate danger had passed. "As for Sariel, I won't try to justify his actions. He's responsible for two of my brethrens death. But he shall pay by fighting and dying for the Imperiums restoration."
Erxandros shook his head. "No offense to the inquisitor but I go back to my chapter he cannot do much. Besides some of us need to remain behind to warn the chapters and prepare them for the portents of Orks or worse on its way or if you suceed in holding the imperium from within. For if you kill the leaders without internal support you leave us just as vulnerable as if you do nothing. There is no easy path but the best way is multiple approaches."
< @Keidivh @matt23 @Uriel1339 > "You expect me to trust you based on some 'greater good?" Xarxis growled, emotion only coming to the Charnel Guar's words in anger. "How am I to know you won't turn on me as easy as you did Seelenbrand? Each other, just now?" he stepped forwards and stares at the Dark Angel. "I see what the imperium is becoming. Perhaps what you say is best. Perhaps not. But you still haven't given me reason you trust you. Sentiment does not merit trust" he shook his head. "And you, 'Sariel'. Do you have words for what you have done? Why should I not complete part of my mission and kill you? Why do I let you live?"
