RT: Exodus of Exiles - IC [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

Hemnon

2016-04-05, 12:57 PM

http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40k/images/3/30/Koronus_Expanse_of_the_Halo_Stars.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130414195550

It's been hard having to flee the horrors of the Ork WAAAGH!!! that, by now, must have destroyed most of the Dynasty's holdings and left-behind wealth. Morale during the first weeks of Warptravel was quite low amongst higher command eschelons. But, things have slowly turned towards a more average norm, with duty and survival instincts taking over.

A calmness have settled over the ship by now that the 3 weeks of Warptravel is almost over and the Arrival at Port Wander will be an actual reality. The crew was ready, the navigator have called out the 1-hour until return to real-space, and the ship-wide moods seems to be relatively good. A chance to see and visit this famous grand Space Station was something not everyone got a chance to do throughout the entire life time.
-----------------------

"My Lord Captain, please prepare the ship's crew for warp-translation in 50 minutes. We will return from the Aether after that safely. May the Emperor watch over us all" The ship's navigator called over the vox-system linked from the Navigator's Vigil and down to the rest of the vessel. The vox call had been kept bridge-wide only for now, thus allowing the Rogue Trader to announce the news ship-wide should it be wished so.

pvi212

2016-04-05, 02:06 PM

Castus Drake

Castus glanced up from the conversation he had been having with one of his Chiefs about the ship's routine armsmen patrols. The invasion of the Dynasty's holdings hadn't shaken him as much as the rest of the crew, was part of his very being, having been born on Cadia, and taken his place as a defender of that most famous Fortress World. As the ship fled the system he had turned his attention toward the ship's armsmen and what Household Troop had survived, drilling them constantly, diverting their attention from what had befallen their homeworld. "Make sure our people are on alert before we exit the warp, I don't want any issues," he said softly to the Chief. He turned back to the Rogue Trader, "With permission, sir, I will alert the ship's armsmen to prepare for the ship's exit."

dojango

2016-04-05, 09:47 PM

Lucius Montresor

Lucius nodded at the mercenary's comment without looking up from his paperwork. He trusted the mercenary's professional instincts. Turning to his secretary, he said, "Shelly, have the quartermaster contact Port Wander and arrange a berth and to replenish our supplies for a long voyage. Then instruct the senior command staff to join me in my private dining room for a brief meeting and a light lunch. The agenda will be to discuss our plans for establishing a foothold for our dynasty in the expanse; if anyone has any proposals they would like me to consider, this would be an excellent time to present them. As far as lunch is concerned, see if anything fresh has come down from the arboretum; a fresh ploin cobbler would go down well. Oh, and have the ship's confessor broadcast the litany for a successful real-space transition in about 45 minutes."

The Glyphstone

2016-04-07, 12:15 AM

"You hear that? Only a little bit longer, then we'll be at the port, and we can get some rest."

In bad lighting, the figure seated at the helm station could have easily been mistaken for an out-of-place Mechanicus adept - robed and hooded, with a metallic grille covering his face, and a pair of augmented servitor-bodyguards standing behind him. But his robes were midnight-black instead of blood red, up close one could see the 'grille' was simply a metal mask rather than an implant, and the servitors were about as non-standard as you could get. To start with, they were wearing clothing, which even the most eccentric Explorator would see as pointless; one dressed in a workman's tunic and trousers, bulging and stretched to accomodate its various mechanical parts, while the other 'wore' the ankle-length dress of an Imperial noblewoman similarly deformed.

"No, I can't imagine the food will be any good, but then it rarely is. We'll just have to make do." He was obviously talking to the motionless automatons, and entirely nonplussed by their lack of participation in the one-sided conversation.

"I know, I know. Belinda, be a dear and go down to tell the others we're about to make port, would you? Albrecht can stay here with me, I'm sure we'll be safe on the bridge." Obediently, the servitor in the dress, for all that it lacked any other visible indication of being remotely female, turned and lumbered away towards the entrance to the bridge and disappeared through the hatch.

Back at the helm, Lexandro leaned back and relaxed, small stretching exercises to prepare for steering the ship into dock once they re-entered realspace. He had little confidence in the Navigator's ability to exit the Warp on-target, and entirely expected the emergence point to dump them on a collision course with an ore freighter or something similarly huge.

Geordnet

2016-04-07, 10:47 AM

Magos Maurus

Data packets travel faster than oral relay, and the Magos ministering to the warp drive had begun the Advent of Reemergence by ordering his data-output choir to perform a full dump-chant of the registrar into the ship's noosphere. An unusually formal rite, which only rarely manages to complete before the translation actually occurs, Chief Chirurgeon Fredrigo Maurus perceived it and understood the implication. Thus it was that the Hymn of Drusus Medicarum was already being readied when the Captain's announcement was broadcast.

The work mainly consisted of repeating regular maintenance and organizational duties, but with the additional procedure of securing the patients in their cots. For most, this precautionary measure took the form of a simple strap across the waist, intended to prevent falling out of bed in confusion, but for others... More restrictive measures were proscribed for severe cases of warp-related seizures and pseudo-oneiron. While many of these patients would find their symptoms relieved by a return to realspace, others would be haunted by them forever (something a Ministorum-run facility would be better-suited to handling). A rare few of the latter, having their minds fully consumed by the Warp, were likely to berserk upon losing their connection to it.

At least, so stated the Compendia of Stefanos the Philosopher, a series of tomes originally penned by a well-traveled healer of the 38th Millennium (although Maurus' were more recent copies). It is their wisdom, and their wisdom alone that has allowed him to properly oversee the medicarum's operation.

Operation is so much simpler when the subject's survival is a non-priority, he reflected. Moreover, standard humans lack the internal redundancy of Orkoids, Krootoids, Rak'Gol, or Tyranids. Even the majority of mutants are less fragile, although that is a given due to selection pressure.

During the initial gross influx of patients after the battle, he had learned a number of ways to let a patient die on the operating table. At least through a combination of selecting only the most grievously wounded subjects, leaning heavily on ORKI's programmed assistance, and judicious application of prosthetic replacements, he had managed to avoid a reputation of incompetence. Still, the crew seemed wary of him, and for the most part preferred to be tended to by almost anyone else - an arrangement which suited Maurus just fine, as he could continue his observations and study with less risk of being found wanting.

As his part of the preparations, he disposed of the specimen of one of the shipboard Muroid strains he had been dissecting. A lack of tumors indicated advanced mutation resistance, reinforced lungs and blood vessels would protect against vaccum-induced embolism, a hairball forming in the stomach was likely part of a defense mechanism allowing the creature to regurgitate indigestible compounds; all-in-all, nothing out of the ordinary for a void-adapted creature. Soil samples taken from the arboretum did not contain Orkoid mycology, a rapist's dissection failed to yield signs of Genestealer infection, examinations of taxidermied 'hunting trophies' provided no useful insights (although some were amusingly inaccurate). Simply put, the ship was boring.

But perhaps that was for the best, as there was little to distract Maurus from his medical studies. So he continued to patrol the Medicarum halls, simultaneously overseeing and studying the work of the orderlies.

Then the invitation came. Decorum hardly permitted a refusal, but what of the subject of discussion? It was a matter he had dedicated no processing time to, and yet one of paramount importance to his new employer. He would need to be imaginative, and formulate a solution based not on doctrine, but creative analysis. Thankfully, that is what he does best.

Hemnon

2016-04-07, 02:22 PM

Time went on and as the hour-mark ended, the navigator called out over the vox to stand by for return to realspace.
The ship shook and the distant-sounding almost-audible noise like daemons screaming just outside perceptive range..... And then 'nothing'. everything was still and a sort of comforting tangibility had returned to everything.
Vox calls from every section-commander on the ship came in with 'all green' and the like. The enginarium reported all systems nominal and the plasma drive's core held standard parameters. Only thing worth of note was a slightly increase in the strain on the Gellar Field, but it had only been a minor percentage deviation from the norm and still well within acceptable and safe parameters.

-----------------------

After a few more hours, you all arrive within Augur and Hailing distance of Port Wander.
And in turn so was Port Wander. Every weapons platform and macro-defense turrets activated and was on standby, with an incoming vox signal insistently flashing on and off, right up until answered.

----------------------

It would take another hour of communication and travelling until you all finally reached Port Wander itself, and with docking permission already given, your ship entered the Docking Station without much trouble and the hiss of airlocks sealing and equalizing pressure.
You've all finally made it, well, at least you've all made it up to the starting line.

----------------------

You've all arrived at Port Wander now and for now you can all do whatever you pretty much want to do.
There's plenty of awaiting vox-hail requests and communique-messages for meetings with plenty of people to go visit.

Here's a list of potential people to 'go have lunch with' (aka. Chat with about possible endeavors to do within the Expanse itself):

Rogue Trader Vellis-Coren
lesser-known rogue trader. Vellis-Coren is a man who is known to often make deals with other Rogue Traders and get a nice shared profit. However, he's also known to cut short and take what he's already got at the first sign of trouble. Still, so far the rumors mostly remain in his favor.

Alexander Rosvaunt - The Gilt Processionals
Alexander is a wealth Merchant with his mini-empire located at the Gilt Processional (the grand labyrinthine markets of Port Wander). He's a purveyor of many a wares, with a finger in just about every type of merchandise in order to keep a stable income by diversifying what he deals in. He's seen as honourable, but he's also a lover of anything of monetary worth and some of the more extravagant pleasures of the carnal kind.

Arch-Cleric Vorlun
Vorlum is one of the higher-standing agents of the Ministorum's presence here at Port Wander. He was known as a steadfast Missionary back in the earlier days of his life. and he still does what he can to keep a good influx of Missionaries and willing colonists to be chartered into the Koronus Expanse.

Richus Rannah - Envoy of Magos Toronos
Magos Toronos... well, She is a very busy woman, and thus why she had to send an envoy instead.
Richus is Her envoy, and whatever it is he wishes to talk with you all about, it is hard to figure what that might be. it could range from an archeo-tech rumor, transportation of Tech-Adepts and Servitors or even as far as investigating the location of a lost Explorator-vessel.

Lady Analysea of House Vessius
Lady Analysea is not someone any of you knows anything about. She says she's a highborn lady of house Vessius, and she wishes to speak with the Rogue Trader of your vessel. All her credentials seem in order though, but what she actually wants is quite up for debate though.

------------

Besides those above, you all have more than enough 'lesser' contacts to go searching for other people to talk to without any sort of trouble.
But the above 5 have actually contacted YOU first.
Whatever you all do is up to you. you can all even split up with ease and handle more than one person at the time.

dojango

2016-04-07, 08:29 PM

Lucius Montresor

Lucius frowned momentarily. Too many of the trained servants had been left behind. Voidsmen dressed up as footmen stumbled around, trying to look formal and serve food. With practice, they would improve, but it was embarrassing. He would have to meet with Lady Analysea at a place of her choosing; if one of the waiters served her from the wrong side, or handed her the wrong fork, his reputation would never recover. Once drinks had been poured, and lunch had been served, he waved the servants away, and raised a glass of amasec. Gentlemen. And my sister. A toast. To the emperor, and to the future." After everyone had responded, he continued. "So much has been taken from my family. And yet, we persevere. Honor demands that we answer this insult, and yet that would be an undertaking requiring far more wealth and power than we currently field. Fortunately, the Koronus Expanse beckons. There, we can rebuild our fortune. I am honored to have such loyal and skilled assistants, and I can assure you that you will all be richly rewarded in my service. However, while our long-term goals are clear cut, the question becomes, how to achieve them? Upon what shall we build our fortune?"

Geordnet

2016-04-08, 08:54 AM

Maurus took a long drought from his glass as the Lord-Captain spoke. The pale liquid had an unusual, though not unpleasant tang to it, beyond that of Ethanol. Possibly the quality known 'vintage', he thought. His old masters were never ones for wasting resources on such luxury in private, nor did his function require training in social formalities beyond the modicum required to avoid notice or offense - instructions he would likely be in flagrant violation of.

He looked back at the glass, contemplating the complex biochemistry that must have been involved in its fermentation for a few kilo-cycles... But enough of that now; for once it is time to be refreshingly direct. The liquor helped, diminishing his inhibitions. The usually reserved Magos suddenly rose from his seat, to the surprise of many.

"Comrades, if I may be permitted to call you thus, I believe the path ahead is clear. We carry with us all that is left of the dynasty's holdings: the last fruits of Mazengart, if you will. It is only appropriate that we seek out fresh soil in which to plant it, that it may grow anew. Which is to say, we should pioneer a new Homeworld for the dynasty."

With probably too little time to let his point sink in, Maurus continued: "The Explorator's envoy might be able to provide us to a log of virgin planets, although the most significant mineral deposits and probable archeotech caches will have been claimed by the Mechanicus. The Arch-Cleric would probably know of a few worlds with indigenous populations in need of salvation, which I would recommend we seek out anyways for three reasons: First, it will aid us in drawing support from the Adeptus Ministorum. Second, they can be turned to our advantage as a workforce in future endeavors. Third, they are proof the world is habitable, can aid us in making it more so, and are unlikely to have depleted any natural resources themselves. We should consider what other traits we would prefer in our soon-to-be holdings. Perhaps something of a biological nature, in homage to the Argi-world tradition? I could advise on that. Any thoughts?"

pvi212

2016-04-08, 02:24 PM

Castus Drake

Castus shook his head after the tech-priest spoke, "You'll need multiple Imperial Guard Divisions, supported by a Naval Battlegroup, to retake your world. Depending on how big the Ork threat is, you might need the support of the Titans to fight their Gargants, or a large number of super-heavy tank detachments. To secure that kind of support from Segmentum Command needs contacts in the upper ranks of the Imperial nobility. The noble is a good starting point, it can lead to rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty, just the kind of people that you need on your side to free the troops and ships to reclaim your world." He glanced back over the list, as he sipped on his drink, "The merchant, might be able to help increase the amount of coin the dynasty has to spread around, and if you need the support of the Titan Legions, doing a favor for the Magos isn't out of order."

Entelechy

2016-04-08, 03:23 PM

"Talk of planting seeds is all well and good, Lord-Captain Brother, but I am not sure we have a fertile one to plant at the moment. Our crew is divided, under-trained, and under-experienced. We need an easy win to booster morale, and gauge our own strength. As for the offers, at the very least we should hear out the Lady of Vessius. We don't want to make enemies of the Peerage, after all," Chief Bosun Lunelle Montresor said off-handedly.

dojango

2016-04-08, 05:33 PM

Lucius Montresor

"You're all right, of course. Which is why I've hired you. Reclaiming Mazengart will be the work of a lifetime; perhaps longer. Magos Maurus; why don't you meet the Mechanicus envoy and see if they know of any fertile worlds or lost colonies that need reclaiming? I trust you can pick out a suitable gift for him. Lunelle, why don't you invite Vorlun for a tour of the ship? It is a relic of the Angevin Crusade, I am sure he would enjoy it. The mosaic outside of mess-hall C-17 depicting the purgation of Novayor II is particularly impressive. You can see if he knows of any planets in need of conversion; or if he has any missionaries in need of an escort into the expanse. Just remember, civilian personnel are strictly forbidden from the prow of the ship, they may not understand or appreciate the alterations made to the weapon systems there. Mister Krivan, why don't you ask around the local equipment wholesalers? See if anyone has been buying up colonization equipment. Or see if anyone has any for sale; it would be good to know if anyone else is planning any ventures. Finally, Mister Drake and I will attend to Lady Analysea. It will be good to meet some of the local nobility. I will have my steward bring up a case of the '67 vintage for her. A fine year, made even more valuable by the fact that the vineyards no longer exist."

pvi212

2016-04-10, 05:32 PM

Castus Drake

Castus nodded his head slightly, "I'll make sure to wear my dress uniform, Captain."

Hemnon

2016-04-11, 07:10 AM

With lunch going to a close, work begins to be delegated out and replies to interested parties is sent to confirm interest and meeting places.

The Rogue Trader and the ship's resident Arch-Militant heads off to meet with Lady Analysea, bringing in tow a small contingent of security. Lady Analysea had agreed to meet you all at one of the more upper-class clubs found on Port Wander. The tables were clean, the air pleasantly aromatic and non-addictive, with the background noise mostly being that of a slow musical beat. Vapor-bottlepipes and other higher-class smoking instruments were everywhere in sight, allowing patrons to bring their own smokable herbs, or buy some at the place itself.
The two of you find the Lady situated on a spread of pillows, smoking away on some sort of fruity-flavored herbal mixture. She looked rather relaxed, but if that was from the herbal mixture she was smoking, or just having no worries, it was hard to tell. Her original message had been sounding a bit urgent as well.
At her booth there was enough room for the two of you as well, with enough pillows and soft-blanched rugs to allow a pleasant seat. a Facilitator wand was on the table where the vapor-bottlepipe was located, most likely it would allow for the activation of a privacy screen to be activated, should it be wished, as well as call for services in both the drinks, food and pleasant company areas.

Lady Analysea herself was a gorgeous young Noblewoman auburn hair, pretty dark green eyes and a sculpted body as if a love-goddess had made her, although she had most likely only reached marriage-able age within just the last few Imperial Standard Years, judging by her still natural youthful features. She doesn't look all fake or 'prettied up', like a lot of noble-women tends to do. It's a natural beauty that is complimented with just a light hint of make-up perfumes and a simple, but fitting dress-style.
A couple of maid-servants are there with her, both looking drastically more plain compared to the Lady herself, yet not at all unpleasant to the eyes, yes not the same amount of genetic luck.
----------------------------

Meanwhile onboard the ship at Airlock 1-24.
The ship's Magos and Chief Medical Officer was awaiting the arrival of Richus Rannah, Envoy of Magos Toronos herself.
Richus arrived right on the appointed time, specifically. The Hatch opened right as the chronos shipwide hit the agreed time. He was VERY augmented, even for one of the Adeptus Mechanicus. All that might be left of him that is actual human might just be nothing else but his brain. It's hard to tell though. He is wearing the iconic crimson red robes of the mechanicus and a sparse amount of adornment is the be seen on those robes, only a few cog-symbols and likewise symbols of faith towards the Great Omnissiah.
He stands there, silent as the grave, awaiting to be spoken to first, a possible custom of the local Adeptus Mechanicus.

------------------

Likewise Meanwhile at the grand markets of Port Wander.
Void Master Lexandro was wandering the stalls and great boutiques of The Gilt Processionals. Just about anything could be bartered with here, be it livestock, people, exotic minerals, star maps of both rich and dubious quality. Even a whole Navigator Enclave could be found here, it's members for hire to travelling Rogue Traders searching for a new alliance with the Navis Nobilite.
Gambling dens of both high and low standards could be found here as well.
Some of the Ship's crew (the ones of sufficient enough rank to allow such a thing like R&R) could be found here amongst the middle-class style pleasure houses, bars, cafés, etc.
Whatever you wanted, it was likely to find at least one person here that could get you what you seek... for the right price of course.

pvi212

2016-04-11, 06:06 PM

Castus Drake

Castus entered the club, in what for Cadian's passed for a dress uniform. A creased dark green tunic and pants, with polished boots, and weapon belt, the weapons themselves an autopistol and mono-sword while clean bore the hallmarks of weapons that had seen constant use in their years. On his left breast, medals for campaigns and bravery, even a couple of medals bearing a small silver skull on the face.

"My Lady," he says giving a respective bow toward the Imperial noble as the two approach her booth, the security contingent remaining outside only a commbead call away.

Taking the description for the two medals from the Only War book. Clandestine Order of St. Meleum, ordered for killing a traitor Marine, not sure if anyone would have the knowledge skill to pick it up or not. Also the book Cadian Blood does have the Karskin's taking on and dealing with a handful of Plague Marines, so with high-powered hellguns it's possible. :)

dojango

2016-04-12, 11:31 AM

Lucius Montresor

Lucius bowed lightly and presented a bottle of wine to Lady Analysea. "A fine vintage, from my lost homeworld. An afternoon wine, with hints of peach and oak. It goes well with a sharp cheese, perhaps with a bit of garlic as well. If you like it, I can have a case delivered to you." Lucius reclined on the cushions and called for a server to open and pour the wine. After the server left, he raised his glass to the Lady and drank. "It has been too long since I enjoyed a civilized conversation with civilized company. Thank you for inviting me, I am heading into the expanse soon and it may be some time before I can enjoy these amenities again. Tell me, have you been at Port Wander a long time? Have you any business ventures out in the Expanse? I am told it is quite dangerous, and yet much wealth is to be had for those with the courage to reach out and take it. Of course, I am told a lot of things..."

Trying to charm her into telling me about her business ventures, and also why she wanted to speak with me. [roll0] v. 77 (47 +10+10+10)

Hemnon

2016-04-12, 02:36 PM

The Lady Analysea blink gently those full, lush eyelashes of hers before nodding towards each of the invited newcomers and then gracefully sat up to a more regal and fitting position, rather than the semi-lounging she had done before (although that had been equally graceful.... but just a bit too suggestive of the wrong thing, one might think). Her eyes casually ran over the medals that the soldier-type newcomer was wearing, a half-interested curiousity seemed to linger in her eyes for a bit, before she decided that other things was of more importance.
"Well met greetings to you Rogue Trader Montresor, as well as equal greetings to your..... comrade? oh and I also thank thee for this gift. Let us all enjoy it and put it's taste into our memories." She said, her voice was gentle, clear and clean. Her wording sounded very.... posh and more as if she was upholding an expected mask air of nobility.
It also sounded like she was a bit unsure as to what exactly Castus was to Lucius. Servant, Bodyguard? So she went the diplomatic way and just went with a relatively neutral label.
She then took a sip and seemed to enjoy the taste quite a bit.

"Yes I.... uhm.... DO know a bit of the expanse. My family tends to not tell me all that much so- I mean.... I do apologise. i did not intend to gush like that. Yes, i know a bit of the expanse. Not much for I am not native to it. But that is why i actually contacted you-" She said and then took up the controlwand and activated the well-suspected privacy field. Everything outside became a grey blur, and all sound was blocked, expect for a lightly almost non-existent background humm. "(deep intake a breath)- I have not been here too long. I.... I wish to join your crew Sir Montresor. I know, it is unheard of and i know you may have a lot of questions, but i beg you, take me with you." She said, a desperation had creeped into her eyes. Even her maid-servants looked pleading.
It was a bit of a change of her demeanor, and it was clear that she had used all of her composure and noblilty-training to have kept so well-composed earlier on.... and there might be a bit more than just a tasteful herbal mix in her waterpipe contraption.

--------------------------------

Meanwhile at another of the Ship's Airlocks (Airlock 1-18)
Arch-Cleric Vorlun stood just inside onboard the ship, awaiting the arrival of Lunelle Montresor. He had even spent a minute to bless the nearby Naval Armsmen guards, asking for their souls to be safeguarded from the horrors that they had experienced from the escape of the major Ork WAAAGH!!!
Vorlun himself was of a slightly haunched stance, wearing cream-coloured robes of the Local Colors (at least to his own homeworld) of the Ministorum. He was quite old looking, but still carried a very strong-burning soul, as if only the outside of him was almost ancient, but inside he was still barely out of his 30s. His wrinkled face held a pair of deep, intelligent-looking grey eyes. It was clear that he had seen his share of both wonders, but also equally many horrors. STill, it seemed to have tempered him well, rather than break him.

dojango

2016-04-12, 09:06 PM

Lucius Montresor

"It is not entirely unheard of for people seeking excitement or new horizons to ply the void. My own sister ran off and joined the Guard when she was your age... andvas a private, to boot! Of course, joining the Navy or the Guard can be quite limiting, since they don't let you leave on your own time. However, it would be inappropriate to hire you as a mere rating; what skillset do you have? Have you ever worked on a voidship? Or do you have any skill at arms? Can you play an instrument? Any medical experience? How old are you?"

pvi212

2016-04-12, 10:09 PM

Castus Drake

Castus sat down, straightening the weapon belt to keep it from becoming hopelessly tangled with the pillows, and ended up perched at the end, allowing the sword to dangle off the side. Catching the glance at the row of medals from the lady, he hid a slight smile, before having to hide a frown as she stated her desire to become part of the Rogue Trader's crew. The desire to escape was one that he had heard before, while in the Guard, for various different reasons, some he felt sorry for, and others not so much. He took a sip of the wine that had been poured as the Captain spoke, "I think we should also be told the reason why, you want to run away from your family," he rubbed his jaw gently, "I have seen similar situations when I was still in the Guard, but usually the maids or servants where actively trying to convince the individual not to go thru with the plan. Your two maids seem equally determined to go with you, if what you're tangled up in involves a risk to the crew, and has me running up a body count of bounty hunters, or members of assorted household guards, I think we deserve and honest answer?"

Geordnet

2016-04-13, 09:55 AM

Maurus stood in the airlock for a few seconds, reviewing the rather limited noospheric dossier of Adept (rank assumed) Rannah. Toronos' cabal seems rather cloistered; jealous of information and/or non-reliant on noospherics. Or perhaps paranoia is a necessary survival trait in this environment. Something I might do well to study: as my old Magos noted, my own wariness irrationally develops in all the wrong places...

Maurus had carefully prepared his own dossier before the meeting - in fact, he had done so long before, when first joining the ships' crew. Careful exposure and sequestering of data verified his expertise without soliciting too many questions about his past (at least, in theory). For this event he had also donned a more traditional red robe, with only accents of his personal 'desaturated ochre'. He even brought Orki along, to pique interest and begin conversation (a social tactic Maurus was once instructed in the theory of, but rarely succeeded in its practice). A quartet of house guards flanked the party, stiff as if parading next to a commissar. Paradoxically, they were dressed as if about to deploy into the heart of an ork-infested underhive. The Mechanicus values brutal efficiency in its warriors, and so they were instructed to exhibit the same.

After sufficient time for all parties to complete the inloading and initial examination of relevant data, Maurus nodded respectfully towards the guest, made the cog sign, and spoke. The sound issued not from his mouth, but from a pair of hidden voxes in the region of the collarbone:
(Techna-Lingua): <All praise the Omnissiah. Adept Rannah, I have been designated the primary representative for this meeting. Speculation: I believe the Lord-Captain finds my complexion easier to interface with than that of other magi on the ship. I regret that significant data regarding the purpose of your visit has yet to be made available to me. Invitation/Request: Walk this way.>
In compressed Binaric, the entire greeting took less than three seconds.

Maurus gestured further into the ship, preparing to lead Rannah on. No doubt he would speak as they walked; the Mechanicus rarely wastes its own time. Their destination was a medium-sized cargo bay deep within in the ship, near to its (relatively small, unexceptional) Bibliotheca. There, every scribe and data-adept whom could be spared worked frantically to collect every book and data-vault saved from Mazingard, every record of the Dynasty's holdings which had been left behind, and every scrap of combat footage regarding the composition and disposition of the invaders. They had been given scant hours to make as much information indexed and presentable as possible. Maurus had been able to organize so many in so short a time only through the Lord-Captain's authority: he had, after all, requested a suitable gift for the envoy be assembled.

Entelechy

2016-04-13, 10:48 AM

"Your holiness," Lunelle said, lowering herself to one knee and bowing. She wore a crisp dress uniform, with no embellishment other than the medals and honours she has earned. Half of them are scars. The aiguillette denoting her role of chief bosun stands out most prominently as the most ostentatious. "I am Lunelle Montresor, second child, heir to the Montresor dynasty, and humble servant of the Emperor and his ministry. We thank you for gracing our ship with your presence."

Hemnon

2016-04-14, 03:53 PM

Meeting with Lady Analysea

"I can understand you both needing answers. *sigh*.... I guess i must then." Lady Analysea said and took a deep breath, her maidservants looking both aghast that the two 'ragged looking strangers' had been so forward as to ask their Lady to explain her wants and needs to such details. But, they remained silent about it.
"Most important thing first: I am running away because my Family wishes to force-marry me off to some other noble family back home. I do not wish to be married to this man from that noble family. I do not wish to talk further of it until I am away from Port Wander. I have only ever travelled with the Big Ships to get here, So i am not experience with Void Travel. I've been raised in Noble-style socializing and not in hands-on tasks. I'm Afraid of guns, so no, no experience with firearms. Yes i can play a wide range of Instruments and i can sing as well. No, no medical experience. Uh, um, i'm 20 years old, 21 in just a few weeks. Legal marriage age for almost 4 Standard Years now." She said, with her eyes turning towards Castus afterwards to reply to his questions as well. "Laina and Ryka are MINE. I pay thier wage, i chose them myself back over 15 years ago. They loyalty is with me, not my Family. I specifically chose your ship to contact, due to the fact their The Dynasty you represent holds a Warrant of Trade, which gives certain legal rights that can and will overrrule just about any sort of demand or social requirements.If you deny my request, then I will have to either return or get dragged back by force to be married off for just a profit for my own family.... That's all I am worth to them: Profitable Prize to be married off for good relations and negotiations." She continued on, her face twisted up in disgust at the thought of the pig of a husband her family had decides that she should be sent off to as a trophy.
With another deep, shakey breath, Analysea picks up her vapor-bottlepipe's mouthpiece again and took another inhalation from it, the calming effects of it was almost instant and cleary visible.
----------------------------

Tech Priest Rannah & Magos Maurus

Richus Rannah made a slight bow of his head with a stream of Techna-Lingua flowing from his Voice-modulator Box that had replaced his regular vocal cords a long time ago. (Techna-Lingua)"Praise be to the Omnissiah to you as well, Tech-Priest Maurus, Master Medicae of this most Hallowed of Technological Transportation Vessels. Slight Correction: My Correct Label should be Logis Rannah, not Adept Rannah. Or First-Assistant if Formality amongst non-initiated is required. Continuation: Magos Toronos requested that no data-streaming was to be done due to possible security risks, hence this meeting upon YOUR vessel. Acceptance to Request: I will follow. Show the way." His reply was curt, to the point and relatively clean from over-formalized phrasing and time-wasting words.

On the way through the ship, towards the Cargo-Hold itself, Rannah made only a very few stops in order to either inquire about a specific vessel component of interest, or to greet any fellow Tech-Priests with a Cog-sign before heading onward and following Maurus, keeping any further chatting to a minimum until the actual arrival to the target destination.
----------------------------

Lunelle and the Arch-Cleric

The Arch-Cleric gently bowed his head a bit in greetings to Lunelle, making the sign of the Aquila infront of himself before speaking. "Arise child, you have no need to bow to me. I am merely an Instrument of the Emperor himself, Not someone to be worshipped or bowed to." He said in a not-unkind, very hoarse and well-used voice. "Which reminds me, I must thank you and your older Brother, the Rogue Trader of this fine vessel, for granting me access onboard this fine vessel. It bring so many memories back.... to finally be back onboard a Void Ship..." He seemed to trail off for a minute, clearly caught in memories of his time as a Missionary. Even his eyes had gone a bit unfocused as the memories of it all had caught him off-guard and occupied his full attention.

dojango

2016-04-15, 08:45 PM

Lucius Montresor

"Our ship is a warship, not a luxury passenger liner. Comfort is.. as best as we can make it. You're a little too old for a midshipman's berth, learning the officer's trade, but if you want a to join the crew that would be the best option. A hard road to travel, but if you do well, a woman of your standing would be assured a captain's seat in a mere decade or two. Although, midshipmen generally do not employ servants, so your maids would have to find other work on my ship. Alternatively, I did notice that the soprano section of our ship's choir is a little weak; you could also join as a vocalist. Much lighter work, and in my mind, art is no less rewarding a career. As far as your maids are concerned, the arboretum can always use an extra pair of hands if needed. Keep in mind this is a warship, and when we go to battle stations, you will be expected to participate in your assigned station; whether it be manning a flak turret or triaging the wounded. Or even picking up a cutlass and defending the ship if necessary. If this is acceptable, report to airlock 431 H within 48 hours and someone will escort you to your new duty station, whichever you choose."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the young woman gave her response, Lucius bowed politely and took his leave. As he and Castus walked back to the ship, Lucius said, "Well, I did not enjoy being blind-sided by this. While I suppose it might turn to our advantage eventually, it still is an embarrassing situation to be put into unexpectedly. I had hired a seneshchal, an enterprising woman well versed in information brokering, but she never showed at the rendezvous. You and I will need to set up our own information network; if you can find a few bright, loyal men who can work on their own, we'll establish them in covers on Footfall to act as the nucleus of the network in the Expanse."

The Glyphstone

2016-04-15, 10:13 PM

Lexandro hummed softly to himself as he wandered through the markets of the Port, Albrecht and Belinda shuffling along behind him as usual. Finding the emporium bearing the name of the merchant Alexander Rosvaunt, he stops and speaks to the two servitors. "Lower your guns, both of you. And be careful not to break anything. Yes, we can go looking at the clotheries later, Belinda."

After a bit of perfunctory window-shopping at the trinkets that Rosvaunt, or his factor, felt worthy of leaving out on display, he goes to single out the person behind the counter. "I am Voidmaster Krivan, of the Montressor Dynasty and the noble ship Exilius Exodus. Inform Mister Rosvaunt that I would speak with him on Lord Montressor's behalf with haste, on matters of business."

pvi212

2016-04-16, 11:48 AM

Castus Drake

Lucius Montresor

After the young woman gave her response, Lucius bowed politely and took his leave. As he and Castus walked back to the ship, Lucius said, "Well, I did not enjoy being blind-sided by this. While I suppose it might turn to our advantage eventually, it still is an embarrassing situation to be put into unexpectedly. I had hired a seneshchal, an enterprising woman well versed in information brokering, but she never showed at the rendezvous. You and I will need to set up our own information network; if you can find a few bright, loyal men who can work on their own, we'll establish them in covers on Footfall to act as the nucleus of the network in the Expanse."

Castus walked beside the Rogue Trader and chuckled slightly, "You might have walked into the situation blind, but the Lady did her homework on you, to ensure that your warrant could provide some measure of protection from her family. I can find men, but I would be hesitate to use them as information brokers, those skills you names are the same ones needed for officers, and NCOs. You might be better off seeing if you can't ensure the loyalty of an adept with coin, they might collect too much information, but collect and correlate everything they'll do no matter how small. I would even suggest that the merchant that contacted you earlier might be willing to put you in touch with people we have some skill for a cost." He glanced around to make sure the small security detail was keeping pace and focused on their jobs, "Your sister suggest earlier an easy victory, I would hesitate to seek out conflict at the moment. An easy win would bolster morale, but I have experienced very few easy wins, in my career and experience in the unexpected realm of combat is sorely lacking. An easy victory might turn into a rout at an unexpected complication, the troops we have are outstanding in spit and polish, marching about in fancy uniforms, but like a ceremonial blade it's weak and brittle, in need of re-forging before being subject to combat."

dojango

2016-04-16, 07:52 PM

Lucius Montresor

"I suppose you're right. Loyal servants will always be one of our limited resources. I will try and find some trustworthy information brokers. As far as victory is concerned, I don't suppose you know why we chose the expanse to build our fortune? Or why we settled such a remote world so long ago? There is a quirk in our Warrant of Trade; the rights it grants are limited in scope within settled space. We are charged with going out into the unknown, and bringing the light of the Empire into the darkness. So the 'easy path' is barred to us, to some extent. Well, we can make ourselves as ready as possible for whatever comes. With that in mind, I think I shall head over to the officer's club for a quick drink, and maybe gossip a little about our newest recruit. See what I can find out about her, her family, and this mysterious suitor."

[roll0] v. 49 Int for Common Lore Imperium

Hemnon

2016-04-17, 06:16 AM

Lady Analysea, The Rogue Trader & Castus Drake

With a slightly dejected expression, Analysea nods slightly and takes a deep breath. "I understand. I had no delusions about what i would need to sacrifice in used-to comforts. I will contact you before you leave from Port Wander with my final reply. I would need some time to think it all over." She replied and bowed her head a little as the two newcomers left her to her thoughts at the High-Class Club.

With that failed Common Lore Roll, all you manage to actually remember/scrounge together lore-wise is:
House Vessius - Higher-ranking Noble Family from a base-rated 'Imperial World' located very close to the system Port Wander is located within. Their usual way of life is via heavy trade & an understanding of getting the most out of just about any type of deal they make.
They are basically a heavily merchant-driven Noble-house. They always get the most out of their deals, no matter what others THINK they might have managed to barter for.

Anything more specific is not really something you manage to remember or think of. for that you'd need to search around a bit more for some information-brokers and/or other manner of information-gathering.

------------------------------------------

At Alexander Rosvaunt's Merchant-'booth'

The young boy, barely into his teens, whom is standing behind the counter looks up at Lexandro the moment he approaches. "Oh, hello there sir. yes? you have an appointment with Mister Rosvaunt? I will go see if he is available right away." He said with an energetic 'I am here to please' type of outward demeanor. Perfect for being the Face of the 'booth' (or rather the quite expansive boutique-style place) that Alexander Rosvaunt is running.
After about a minute, the young boy returns with a rather..... well-rounded man dressed in some of the finest materials for clothing and some sort of un-intruding rig for a belt. The way he seemed to move without all of that Girth that he's got weighting him down, it could possibly be a type of miniature null-grav belt that he's wearing, helping to ease off some of those extra kilos that he's lugging around.
Alexander saunters on over to Lexandro, a bright smile on his lips. "Goodday my good sir. So you're the Envoy of our newly arrived Rogue Trader, Aye? Well it is a pleasure and an honour to meet you. Had a chance to peruse my wares yet, there's something for everyone.... and i mean 'everyone'~" He said with a knowing smile. "But anyways, you have come as i had hoped, so would you kindly follow me to the backroom as we can begin talking bussiness?" He asked, indicating with a flowing, opened-handed gesture for the door he had come out of.

Entelechy

2016-04-17, 02:28 PM

Lunelle and the Arch-Cleric

The Arch-Cleric gently bowed his head a bit in greetings to Lunelle, making the sign of the Aquila infront of himself before speaking. "Arise child, you have no need to bow to me. I am merely an Instrument of the Emperor himself, Not someone to be worshipped or bowed to." He said in a not-unkind, very hoarse and well-used voice. "Which reminds me, I must thank you and your older Brother, the Rogue Trader of this fine vessel, for granting me access onboard this fine vessel. It bring so many memories back.... to finally be back onboard a Void Ship..." He seemed to trail off for a minute, clearly caught in memories of his time as a Missionary. Even his eyes had gone a bit unfocused as the memories of it all had caught him off-guard and occupied his full attention.

Lunelle smiled, "When I served in the Guard, being on board voidships were warm memories. We had to keep up drills of course, but in those slices of times in transit were the moments you I didn't have some filthy xenos or heretic trying to kill me. I'm not a coward, and I don't hesitate in my duty or service, but the moments of respite are still nice."

pvi212

2016-04-17, 05:28 PM

Castus nodded to the Rogue Trader as he broke away from the group, heading toward the central markets for an arms dealer. If the Rogue Trader wanted to engage in combat, then he would make sure the ship and him where ready for the crucible.

OOC: Looking for an arms dealer, preferably an ex-guardsman. A GC-autopistol for himself, preferably not all gaudy ;) A number of clips of manstopper rounds for an auto-pistol, and if possible an auto-cannon. For the ship's crew, autoguns and lasguns, since I would assume for the most part the lockers would have shotguns and other short range weapons.

Geordnet

2016-04-19, 12:31 PM

Maurus in the Info-Bay with the First-Assistant

(Techna-Lingua): <Apologies, Logis.> Maurus barely managed to hold his tongue (so to speak) and not point out that frontloading such data noospherically could easily prevent such slights.*

The Magos Enginarium** addressed the majority of Rannah's inquiries, as fitting his station and expertise. The House Guards marched along dutifully, not understanding a bit (pun intended) of the dialog between Tech-Priests. Maurus voxed ahead for the scribes to begin final preparations.

The group arrived to a frenzy of activity: scribes desperately attempting to direct the work of menials shifting crates of concentrated knowledge into positions sorted by category, while adepts frantically converted the most significant tomes into cantable form, and a few guards did their best to stay out of the way. In one corner, a crate had broken open, and the overseers fretted over its spilled contents while arguing about the inevitability of transcription errors. Work abated for a moment as the party entered the room, then continued in more hushed and cautious tones.

(Techna-Lingua): <Behold, all which this vessel's crew could save from Mazengart, before the despoiling xenos arrived. Alas, but a fraction of what was left behind. I have ordered as much copied and collated as possible to bestow upon your Magos, both as a gift and a geas: for this archive shall soon be imperiled in the Expanse, and I would not see the Quest for Knowledge suffer its loss. Now come, it is time for proper discussion.>

Maurus led the Logis into a smaller room adjoining the bay. It was one of several which may once have been a break room, office, or even quarters for those who handled and managed cargo, but had been long abandoned and recently converted to a meeting space. The long wall shared with the larger space was covered with improvised soundproofing, while the opposite bore a large slate in much need of cleaning. The table filling up most of the room was in disarray, evidence that the room had only recently been vacated. To oblige his guest's desire for secrecy, Maurus had the room's noospheric connections dampened (as much as could be done on short notice). The effect was akin to entering an enclosed space surrounded by a large and noisy crowd to the machine-aware. The guards remained outside as the adepts assembled around the table.***

(Techna-Lingua): <If you desire additional security and your inload/exload buffers are equipped for it, we may continue under cyphered binaric****. Interrogum: What was it you wished to converse about?>

Wow. Probably too many notes, but I had a lot to say I guess.

*I'm pretty sure 'Adept' is the generic term for a Tech-Priest, though; I've never seen Mechanicus members refer to (let alone address) each other as "Tech-Priest" in official sources. But I suppose this particular sect might have strange customs.

**We really need a name for this guy. I suppose he's technically the ranking Magos on the ship, since his discipline is held in higher esteem by Mars than that of Maurus. But he isn't Maurus' superior, either; both probably report directly to the Lord-Captain. He probably has direct subordinates for the Warp Drive + Gellar Field, and the guns. The former I've established to be rather esoterically formal (maybe make her female to shake things up), the latter should be non-AdMech because xenotech. (Maybe Lex can multitask?) I suppose Someone needs to maintain the life support and crew quarters as well... Gah! I feel the need to write up a full command structure now. :smallsigh:

***Tech-Priests don't seem to be big on chairs in general, as far as I can tell. Most retain the ability to sit (although many do not), but rarely do I see mention of any designated sitting apparatus for Adepts in canon. My assumption is that they, for the most part, rely on their 'metal bits' to take their weight when not in motion. In this case, Maurus will sit if Richus does; otherwise both will remain standing.

****By this I mean using Secret Language(Tech). I imagine it involves exchange of public keys, use of uncommon channels such as haptics, and other methods to make it unreadable by any other than the intended recipients. (Though not impossible; I imagine the influence of the warp makes P>NP in the 40k-verse...)

The Glyphstone

2016-04-19, 03:57 PM

------------------------------------------

At Alexander Rosvaunt's Merchant-'booth'

The young boy, barely into his teens, whom is standing behind the counter looks up at Lexandro the moment he approaches. "Oh, hello there sir. yes? you have an appointment with Mister Rosvaunt? I will go see if he is available right away." He said with an energetic 'I am here to please' type of outward demeanor. Perfect for being the Face of the 'booth' (or rather the quite expansive boutique-style place) that Alexander Rosvaunt is running.
After about a minute, the young boy returns with a rather..... well-rounded man dressed in some of the finest materials for clothing and some sort of un-intruding rig for a belt. The way he seemed to move without all of that Girth that he's got weighting him down, it could possibly be a type of miniature null-grav belt that he's wearing, helping to ease off some of those extra kilos that he's lugging around.
Alexander saunters on over to Lexandro, a bright smile on his lips. "Goodday my good sir. So you're the Envoy of our newly arrived Rogue Trader, Aye? Well it is a pleasure and an honour to meet you. Had a chance to peruse my wares yet, there's something for everyone.... and i mean 'everyone'~" He said with a knowing smile. "But anyways, you have come as i had hoped, so would you kindly follow me to the backroom as we can begin talking bussiness?" He asked, indicating with a flowing, opened-handed gesture for the door he had come out of.

"Of course. Albrecht, stay out here, look around a bit. Belinda, follow." Albrecht obedient plants itself in place and starts looking back and forth mechanically, as Lexandro and Belinda follow the merchant into the back, skirts swirling in the exhaust of the latter's cooling fans.

"To business then. My employer is interested in acquiring supplies and equipment suitably to outfitting a colony expedition, though where and when I am not at liberty to yet share. You came highly recommended as an intermediary for acquiring such items, and as you also sought contact directly, there must be a reason for doing so that the Rogue Trader might be interested in."

Hemnon

2016-04-21, 05:16 AM

Lunelle and the Arch-Cleric

Arch-Cleric Vorlun lifted his gaze back to Lunelle, his mind returning back to the current moment. He nodded in agreement to Lunelle's statement. Void Travel was usually when a battle was over, thus allowing everyone to at least try to relax and calm down from months of constant warfare.

"Lady Lunelle, I do not wish to sound impatient or rather. But is there a place we can talk in private? i do have some urgent business with you and your brother, and i have a sermon to hold at Port Wander when i return there." He said, gently bowing his head, as if trying to placate any bruised egos from his 'less talk, more action' sort of personality and speech.

-----------------------

Logis Rannah and Maurus

(Techna-Lingua)"We will take care of the Historical Data and keep it safe." He replied in fast Techna-Lingua, on a level that showed he might be more used to talking, than the use of the noosphere, directly MIU-linking, etc.
He turned a bit off-center from Maurus before continuing, in Techna-Lingua.
(Techna-Lingua)"Magos Toronos have an offered request for you and the Owner of this vessel. I will send you, Magos Maurus, a small encrypted data cache containing what our request pertains to. This information will be readable for a short while after decrypted and then it will delete itself. Should you choose to accept the offer it contains, Merely Vox on Channel 0-0-1-4-2-3, with the message 'Omnissiah Preserve Us'. I can say no more, for i do not know what the encrypted message contains, only Magos Toronos does." He said and then made the sign of the Omnissiah to Maurus, awaiting the response and would then take his leave. (once message is decrypted and opened for 'reading', i will write it up for you. for now, it's just a close data-cache.)

---------------------

Alexander Rosvaunt and Lexandro

Alexander smiled widely at the 'we need' part of LExandro's reply. When someone needed something, it means profits for a Merchant.
"Oh yes, i can most certainly help you on that. I have many good contacts that can help with pooling in such vast requirements. And of course, i understand that timing is needed as well, but i would still need some security so i do not pool resources, spend money and use favors, to then be told that you do not need a deal with my anyways. I am sure you would very much agree with me on that." He said, clearly in the Right on that point. "And yes, that is right, i did have a reason to contact you. I have a proposition for you and your Rouge Trader." He said, with his eyes shifting back and forth a little, his voice lowering a bit in tone.
"I have come into possession of a certain.... document from a planet in the Koronus Expanse. They currently have a Civil War going and would like to get their hands on some.... more modern weapons. Of course, i know that arms-dealing is HIGHLY illegal, but if i just happened to.... loose a shipment of weapons, and that shipment somehow managed to end up at this planet, it would not have been Arms-dealing at all, merely a very unlucky happenstance of thievery and chance." He said, clearly meaning that his Job would entail the transportation of Weapons, into the expanse and then delivered to this planet for final profit.

Entelechy

2016-04-22, 12:29 PM

Hemnon

2016-04-25, 12:38 PM

Lunelle and the Arch-Cleric

"Yes, as you can see, my child, I have a need for the transportation of a fresh batch of Missionaries to get ferryied over into the expanse and brought around to different already-established Convents set up on yet-to-be--fully-converted Heathen Planets. What i need is that your ship does the transportation and, once the task is done and you've recieved the authorization-seal from each Convent, you return here for your God Emperor-given reward. That is all." He said and shifted around a little to get back up to his feet, clearly showing a need to head back. "Think it over and talk with your Brother about this. Contact us before you leave Port Wander if you wish to pick up this contract." He said, awaiting a response before gently shuffling off back to the airlock that led him into the ship begin with, of course expecting to be walked all the way back in Lunelle's company.

---------------------------------

As the day marches on, deals get finished and requests brought back for discussion, you all manage to end up together at the Dinnertable, back onboard The Hymn of Drusus for some nice dinner.
Today the serving crew brings forth boiled cephlaphee (think a sort of meaty octopus, chopped out and able to be dipped in difference sauces and even get it deep-fried from the fondue-sets on the sable), with diced up exotic fruits and a nice local vintage of Amasec.
Other requests can of course easily be made, however food's been kept sparse on the table so you all can more easily talk and such.

dojango

2016-04-25, 10:12 PM

Lucius Montresor

"Ah, I find the best sauce for cephlaphee is to be pan-seared in its own ink, with just a hint of garlic and Scintillan wine. The cook has outdone himself, perhaps we should install an aquaculture suite in the Arboretum, so we could enjoy this more often? Something to consider. Although we should consider these business proposals first, now that the plates have been cleared. The presence of an unknown and unattached ship has certainly drawn attention, we already have a few proposals from people that want a deniable or disposable asset, it seems. Some minor arms-dealing on behalf of a local merchant, escorting some missionaries into the expanse, and an errand for the Mechanicus have been offered to us. And, of course, Lady Analysea's 'proposal'. I am inclined to take the Arch-Cleric up on his offer; finding the locations of heathen worlds and being first to enter into trade deals with the inhabitants could prove quite lucrative. With a little help from the arms-dealer we might even go into the business of raising and selling regiments of mercenaries to those who need a little extra muscle in the expanse. Magos Maurus, what do you think of the Mechanicus proposal? Does it have merit, or are they sending us on a 'snipe hunt'?"

Hemnon

2016-04-26, 10:03 AM

These are the specifications of a few yet-to-be-explored Systems and their accompanied worlds, with suspected warp-route coordinates attached for entry-puroses only.
Upon Accepting this offer, the specific details for where the systems are expected to be found will be transmitted to your cogitator datacore instantly.

The offer goes as such:
If accepted, the coordinates to 4 unexplored systems will be given to you. Payment will be a system of your choice to claim ownership off. the other 3 systems WILL belong to the Mechanicus.
Should any of these systems contain habitable planets with a population of sentient xenos, they may be disposed off at own leisure. Does any of them contain Humans or Sub-humans, refrain from purging them. Should any planet contain a colony already, then by Rights you may remove it, claim ownership of it, etc. due to no one having recorded any claims for it yet.

Upon Acceptance, An Explorator Vessel will be temporarily attached to your Fleet, to help scan the systems and possible planets, as well as record everything that happens within each system. Once this Mission has been completed, it will depart immediately, unless other orders given to them changes this.
--------------------

Magos Toronos.

This data-file will delete itself in 5 seconds..........
---------------------

Data file deleted. No Content.

Geordnet

2016-04-27, 10:24 AM

When Maurus speaks, it is in a far different tone than last dinner. It is far more dry; academic and informative. And as a summery report, it was also far more within his comfot zone...

"The proposal was from Toronos' Cabal; this is important to remember. Though she has Mars' blessing as an Explorator, Toronos' word is not that of Mars itself. I calculate a non-negligable probability that a majority of forge-bound magi would find fault with her methods and subsequently attempt to limit her authority.

The entire proceedure was unorthodox and non-conforming to widely-accepted standards of communication, but the meaning was understood. We are to accompany an explorator vessel to four systems scheduled for survey; in exchange Toronos pledges formal awknowledgement of our sovereignty on one so long as we respect her claim on the other three.

My initial analysis suggests a poor potential opportunity/liability ratio in this endeavor. The explorator ship is probably unarmed, and/or these systems already classified as dangerous, if Toronos' logic engines aren't malfunctioning when they assay benefit to her in this pact. And it is extremely unlikely she is seeking obscure Terran avians. Additionaly, Mechanicus attention has potential long-term consequences given... certain factors aboard this vessel.

However, we would be assured of not conflicting Toronos' claims unknowingly if we accept, and I speculate that she may be more inclined to overlook our faults than other magi if we are useful to her. It may still be worth consideration."

dojango

2016-04-30, 01:46 PM

Lucius Montresor

"An interesting offer, though. The opportunity to find an uninhabited system and build a new home is certainly tempting; but also expensive. At this point, I fear we must respectfully decline the Magos's offer. The Arch-Cleric will be a powerful ally; even in the wilds of the expanse the Ecclisiarchy wields considerable influence. I will prepare the necessary orders. The expanse beckons."

From the Desk of Lord-Captain Lucius Montresor
To the Office of Arch-Cleric Vorlun

Monseigneur;
I regret that I was not able to greet you when you came to visit our ship. My sister tells me of your proposal, and nothing would please me more than helping to bring new worlds into the light of the Emperor. It is only fitting that this ship, which served ably in the Angevin Crusade, be at the forefront of the new ventures into the wild Koronus Expanse. It also occurs to me that a lost planet is more likely to embrace the Empire when they see what marvels we possess; would you be able to send us a dossier on the systems we are going to visit, so that we may bring such trade goods and equipment as to impress the natives with the power and sacred technologies of the empire?

The Emperor Protects

From the Desk of Lord-Captain Lucius Montresor
To the honorable Magos Toronus

Madam;
I am honored that you approached me to carry out your work in the Expanse, but I fear that our ship is not suited for this type of work. Too under-gunned to be a proper escort, and ill-suited for surveying duties. As such, I must decline your offer. Nevertheless, tales of your great works have reached my ears, and if we need assistance from the Mechanicus in the future, we would be honored to do business with you.

-Lucius Montresor

Mr. Rosvaunt:

I am planning to join an expedition to several heathen worlds out in the expanse, and will be needing a sufficient quantity of trade goods to sell to these lost souls, to show them the wonders of the Empire. In addition, I am told that you have a delivery of trade goods to another planet; send me the co-ordinates and I will see it done. Finally, the expanse can be a dangerous place, and I will need a quantity of small arms and weapons
to equip my personal guards and to protect the missions; please arrange to have them delivered to my cargo holds as well. Be sure to make sure everything is clearly labelled; we are on a tight schedule and need to perform the loading and unloading of the goods at these primitive planets with only the crudest cargo terminals at our service.

-Montresor

Hemnon

2016-05-01, 03:11 PM

With all the business wanted and taken care off and you're all ready to plan departure, a few things happens prior.

Lady Analysea arrives (with her Handmaidens in the follow), surprisingly enough, and accepts the agreement of her basically being pretty wallflower and Secretary Assistant to Lucius, in exchange of avoiding her forced-marriage.
A big group of Missionaries arrive as well, finding a nice place within the Temple Shrine onboard your ship to stay during the trip.
A big amount of crates labled 'trade goods' also arrives, with the compliments of Alexander Rosvaunt.

------------

All that was needed now was merely the captain's orders to set out for the warp-entrance coordinates and then enter the Maw for the first time and explore the great Expanse.

Okay, there's a few things that's gonna happen. First of all, you loose 2 Profit Factor as a downpayment and insurance to Alexander Rosvaunt.
For resupplying the ship, refueling the Plasma Drive (aka. Micro-sun), right now the distance you'd had to travel is relatively negligible, so there's no decrease to PF from that.

Some of the weapons that is to be transported, ranges from lasguns, plasma guns and up to things like heavy bolters with tripod mountings. Each crate is sealed and only the one that was opened for showing had it's seal unbroken.

Lady Analysea is now to be considered a Noteworthy NPC onboard the ship.

First Destination for you all to head should really be Footfall. But, if you'd all prefer to not go there, then by all means, go explore where ever you'd prefer.:smallsmile:

dojango

2016-05-02, 07:44 PM

Lucius Montresor

"I have heard all sorts of dire tales about the passage through the Maw. Hopefully they are exaggerated in the re-telling, to scare off the faint of heart. Nevertheless, please have all non-essential personnel report to the main temple for mandatory services an hour before we enter the warp. We will have a brief stop-over in Footfall, I hope we can find some more reliable star-charts there. Oh, and I hear the Lady Analysea has joined us? Have her and her servants report to shipboard orientation; we will get started on her training immediately."

Hemnon

2016-05-11, 10:08 AM

With the last of the preparations being done, it was finally time for the great Ship of Lucius Montresor to out into the void and prepare for warp-translation once reaching the further-out parts of the system in order to avoid any undue additional layers of danger by warptravel from too close to the gravitational pull of any sort of planetary masses or stars.
------------------------------
A few days later, just after warp translation

The very souls of everyone on board the vessel seem to scream out in horror as the ship enter warp travel and the gellarfield kicks in, protecting everyone from the horrors just on the ouside of it.
It is at first like something is scratching at the walls on the outside of the hull.
A few low-state ratings go mad during the first day of warp travel, their sanity turned to mush. One managed to commit suicide before anyone else was able to stop him.

Lady Analysea seems to take it in relative ease, however her handmaidens seem quite spooked the whole time.

All in all, it seems like it was a cheap entrance fee to only have a few ratings go mad.
However, that was only day 1 and there's 4 more to go.
-------------------------------------

(You're all allowed to converse, pray, play cards, fix the warp engine should it fail, or fiddle with the plasma drive. When everyone are done with anything important to talk about and/or do, then I'll continue this onward. Sorry for the shortness of it, but i've had a really busy week so far.)

dojango

2016-05-16, 07:28 PM

Lucius Montresor

Lucius was hosting the visiting missionaries for a dinner just after the ship slipped into the warp. "Thank you for assisting the ship's confessor with the prayers, I hope you found our ship's temple to your liking? My grandfather had it redone; the stained-glass windows depicting the apotheosis of Saint Drusus was designed by the same craftsmen who worked on the great cathedral of Scintilla. We did it in honor of the ship's tithing to the Angevin crusade."

As they were eating, a rating accompanied by several guards marched in. The rating was dressed in a white toga, carrying a chronometer and a staff. The rating pounded the staff on the floor until he had everyone's attention, and then gave a short speech welcoming everyone to Koronus's realm, and wishing them good health and fortune... so long as they paid the toll.

"I understand this is a quaint tradition amongst ships that ply the expanse," Lucius explained to the missionaries. "To those officers and guests who have never travelled the maw, we are expected to pay a throne to this gentleman, as an offering to the Koronus Expanse. I understand the ratings have a more difficult passage, but that is always the case with them. At any rate, you may contribute or not, as you wish. It is said to be good luck, however. Here, good man, drink to our good health as well," Lucius added, handing the rating a golden throne and a glass of premium amasec.

pvi212

2016-05-20, 08:28 PM

<b>Castus Drake</b>

Castus glanced up as the rating approached and dug into one of the pockets on his Cadian fatigues pulling out a few thrones and handing them to the rating. He had seen a number of traditions while in the Guard, and recognized a way to prop up morale when it presented itself. While not a Naval officer he reached a hand out to the nearest wall behind him and felt a steady hum rather than anything more worrisome. Turning his attention back to the dinner he adjusted his weapon belt glad that so far he didn't have to use.

Hemnon

2016-05-23, 09:06 AM

The Missionaries as a group seemed to enjoy the minor spectacle of the Koronus entrance 'fee' idea. All but a few of them pays the one Coin, although the reasoning might be that they are veterans of the expanse, at least that's what they relatively older age by visuals alone.

The rest of the trip is woefully uneventful, which some might take as a bad omen, since if you do not have a harsh entry, you might not learn respect of the expanse before it's too late.
Only one thing happened a day before exit of the warp into realspace and a heading towards Footfall: The Auger Arrays was flaring up wildly, as if something hostile had just suddenly appeared nearby and incomming fire happening as well.... and then SILENCE.... the Augers going dark and empty again as it should be, since you're in the warp and not real-space yet, the brace-for-impact alarms dying out equally fast.
-----------------------

Later on, a few hours from Footfall's Perimeter

You've made it, you're only a mere few hours away from arriving at Footfall, ready to explore further out into the expanse however you all choose.
You can head onwards right away, or dock at Footfall first.