IndyKophen

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" Mission briefed. Objectives identified and prioritized... Once formally dismissed, Morrigan wandered the Gothic halls of the Imperator Somnium. Far from wandering aimlessly, the Raven Guard moved with purpose in an attempt to orient himself within the massive vessel. Contrary to popular belief that the Mechanicum of Mars held the monopoly on all technical knowledge in the Imperium, the Imperator Somnium was not constructed on The Red Planet, but rather on Terra. The Command Carrier was constructed with the advanced secrets from Terra's Dark Age of Technology, the zenith of mankind's scientific knowledge and technological power, simultaneously wonderous and terrible. It was a unique, golden vessel of immense size, dwarfing even the largest Imperial battleships, and its size was on par with that of the Orbital Plates of Terra. Remarkable, thought Morrigan. A magnificence to rival the Black Tower. The Ravenspire, the Fortress-Monastery of the XIXth Legion, was the only comparable frame of reference known to Morrigan. The Ravenspire was a place of great significance to the sons of Corax and to the people of Deliverance and Kiavahr; a place Edryc Morrigan knew all too well. Conversely, unfamiliar with the flagship's layout and more than slightly intimidated by its daunting size, Morrigan had no choice but to admit defeat. Facing failure so soon, Morrigan chuckled darkly to himself. Definitely a suicide mission. Outstretching a gauntleted hand, he stopped a passing midshipman in his tracks, and demanded to be taken to the Armoury. Struck dumbfounded, the midshipman stared at the massive, gauntleted hand, which was easily double, if not triple, the size of his head, whilst processing his sudden predicament. The genetically modified, psycho-conditioned Space Marine must have stood as foreign and imposing to the human, as Horus was to Morrigan upon first meeting, which, while only moments ago, felt like days. Unhelmed, the Raven Guard's extreme pale complexion certainly added to the human's crippling paralysis, like some ghostly haunt, made flesh, emerging from the shadows and now lording over him. "The Armoury," barked Morrigan. "Now!" While not intended to be unkind, the Assault Marine nonetheless spoke in a booming, commanding voice which jolted the naval officer out of his stupor. Fearful of the consequences should he delay, the midshipman darted off in the direction of the nearest Armoury. On power armoured legs, Morrigan effortlessly followed his newly acquired guide and impromptu attendant.

Oh, damn! Neo-Geo console, here I come! Could I actually get a pair of Astartes Lightning Claws (45 Req) and Wings of the Raven (35 Req)? Astartes Lightning Claws (Deathwatch Rulebook, pp. 154-155). Wings of the Raven (First Founding, pp. 101, 104).

The collective requisition for the whole squad is set at 80, correct? So, I shouldn't go on a crazy shopping spree (as if I was in the )? S'okay. I don't think Shadow has the renown for a pair of Distinguished Astartes Lightning Claws or the Famed Wings of the Raven. I may have to take up Harding's suggestion for dual wielding chainswords! Personal Requisition (subject to change) 1 Astartes Chainsword (5 Req)

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" "If I may my lord, have the details of our orbital drop been finalized? Strike procedures such as these are something of a specialty of mine, and I would be remiss not to offer my insight where it may be best utilized." "I am in agreement with Battle-Brother Vorticar." To get to the surface of the moon, Morrigan was willing to defer the orbital drop procedures to Vorticar's expertise, and Emperor-willing, avoid a repeat of Lux Majoris. Once on the surface, however, the Raven Guard was quite adamant cooler heads prevail, lest they all walk blindly into the open maw of the ork infestation. "Indeed. Best to utilize all our skills as the needs arise." Morrigan cocked his head in the direction of Degei; his black-eyed gaze lingered uncomfortably long on the Stormseer. "For instance, Stormbird extraction requires the elimination of the enemy's significant air superiority surrounding the Magos' compound. I know of a Raven Guard Attack Pattern to exploit a foe’s weaknesses which may prove applicable." Morrigan turned his attention back to the towering Primarch. Throughout the Great Crusade, Corvus Corax's talents for planning and sabotage were of great effect for delivering potent, strategic blows to the enemies of the Imperium. And the Raven Guard, fighting frequently under the orders of Horus Lupercal, became renowned for an unmatched ability with covert ops, infiltration and lightning strikes. But the pair never saw eye-to-eye. Having now met Horus, Morrigan begun to formulate his own answer as to why. "Afterall, what good is retrieving our objectives if we cannot extract ourselves?" The rhetorical question was asked with dispassion so as to be nonaccusatory. Left unspoken, however, was Morrigan's understanding of Horus' haunting words that recovering the data on the artefact was the primary objective and anything else, to include the life of the Magos and potentially their own, was of a lesser priority. Data, of course, could always be transmitted with or without securing their physical extraction. Darkly, Shadow wondered if Horus' assembled squad of elite troops was nothing more than an expendable task force on the verge of a suicide mission.

Edryc "Shadow" Morrigan would normally be skeptical of the psychically "gifted" Librarian, but he is intrigued by Degei so far and would participate in such a session. I would be happy to role-play it out.

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" Back to form, Morrigan silently observed his fellow Astartes' immediate reactions after receiving orders. To the Raven Guard, the orders and priority of those orders were clear: first, recover information on the location of the artefact; and second, rescue the Magos. Interestingly, the resulting responses were as varied as those assembled. Vulker lumped recovering the artefact and securing the Magos together as a single primary objective. The Techmarine's words revealed he held equal regard for both the agent of the Mechanicum and the mysterious xenos artefact. With Edryc's deep-seated mistrust of Tech-Guilds, he secretly questioned Vulker's loyalties. By contrast, Zorael introduced the possibility of destroying the artefact. Sound logic. If the artefact could be used as a weapon in the hands of the orks, then best to destroy it, and deny the enemy the opportunity. Rightfully so, the Sanguinary Priest obviously considered life of far more importance than any artefact. Morrigan was most impressed with Degei's response, as one that best mirrored his own. The Stormseer understood that uncovering information on the artefact was the first and foremost objective. Degei's interests in the extraction process indicated a desire to get in and get out quickly, preferably before being inevitably mobbed by orks. Despite the White Scar's rugged outward appearance, Degei possessed a strategic mind which the Raven Guard found welcoming. Ever eager, Vorticar had no questions, trusting his Primarch-Progenitor had disclosed all pertinent information, and instead focused on bloodying the enemy. The Luna Wolf's thirst for glory, whether for his own or for his Legion's, was evident. From Madoc's and Elyas' previous warnings about underestimating the fury of the orks, Morrigan wondering if even engaging the enemy was wise. In this situation, recon and stealth might be the more prudent course of action. Morrigan was, however, keening aware should he, as a Raven Guard, offer recon and stealth as the best option, he would likely be ridiculed for favouring his Legion's strengths above all others. Instead, he remained quiet, patiently biding his time. Shadow's cold and calculating black-eyed gaze observed all, signifying nothing.

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" The words rung hallow as soon as they were uttered. Contrary to his bravado, the Marine had no more control of his fate than did the previous owners of the many Corvia he carried. Indeed, Morrigan did not survive Lux Majoris through any cunning ingenuity on his part. Rather, he was fortunate enough to not be outright obliterated by artillery fire with the rest of his team within seconds after they dropped into that heavily contested warzone. Every single Battle-Brother was killed in the hail of fire, save one. Whether his miraculous survival was due to blind luck or divine intervention, the Deliverance-born remained uncertain. Regardless, Morrigan shrewdly refrained from sharing the particulars of that doomed mission, whilst on the cusp of embarking on another. "Apologies, my Lord," he addressed the Primarch directly. "Levity is not one of my strengths. Quite the opposite, a Raven Guard is arguably best..." he whispered the final words to hammer home his point, "when silent."

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" "Your trust in us is not misplaced. I will do my utmost to ensure the survival of my brethren, and, if the worst should come to pass, make sure that their gene-seeds are preserved." Morrigan moved up behind the Sanguinary Priest. "Well-spoken, Brother. Though, let us hope it does not come to that." The Assault Marine once more clutched the collection of recovered Corvia at his belt. The skulls of the Corvia, small avians native to the forests of Kiavahr, were worn as potent totems which hung from chains from a Raven Guard's belt or battle-plate. These fetishes represented an individual warrior's honour, and when one fell in battle, a fellow Battle-Brother would recover the Corvia from their fallen brethren and continue to carry it in battle, and thus, carry their fallen brethren's honour until such time that they could return to Kiavahr to bury the small avian skull in the soil of their Legion's homeworld. "I did not survive the counterinsurgency operation on Lux Majoris only to then be laid low by foul, filth-covered xenos scum." For the Raven Guard, the claiming of a fallen warrior's Corvia went hand in hand with stripping the deceased of all equipment, Legion trappings, and the harvesting of the all-important gene-seed. "While I recognize the import of your role, Zorael, I, for one, hope your medicae services are not needed." He clapped the Blood Angel heartedly on the back. "May you be crippled by boredom and your reductor rust from disuse."

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" As The Lupercal entered, Morrigan bowed his head in respect, a purely automatic response when in the presence of an Emperor's son. Horus Lupercal was an imposing figure and Morrigan could not help but be in awe at the sight. As one of his Legion's chosen elites, Morrigan had fought alongside his own Primarch on several occasions, but only now could he compare the two brothers. On this, Horus was clearly a half meter taller and proportionately bulkier than Corvus Corax. "A squad of elite troops operating deep behind enemy lines with little to no assistance, conducting surgical strikes to cripple the enemy's war effort," Morrigan repeated back the lines to demonstrate he understood both the assignment and the gravity of the situation. "Standard practice for the Raven Guard. Applying precise military pressure to vulnerable sectors is a doctrine favoured by the Raven Lord to achieve assured victory." Of all the alternative reasons to be summoned to the Imperator Somnium, Morrigan found this charge most agreeable. "Your will be done."

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" Morrigan's, albeit poor, attempt to find commonality among his gathered cousins was shattered by Vorticar's mention of Greenskins, prompting Vulker's furious outburst! While the sudden response was surprising, the Salamander was not alone in his sentiments. The White Scar Degei Bajan and Death Guard Madoc Mannaw joined the chorus of disdain for their enemy, the foul xenos. Ever reserved, Morrigan refrained from lending voice to the mob. While he had no love for xeno, mutant, or heretic, something about the Techmarine gave Morrigan pause. In his life before becoming a Space Marine, before the honorary titles and designated names, he was a but a slave to the Tech-Guilds of Kiavahr. The wealth and power-hungry Guildmasters, who governed the Tech-Guilds, ruled ruthlessly over the oppressed and maltreated slave caste forced to toil in the mines under booted heel. For the briefest faction of a second, the man that once was Edryc caught a glimpse of his past in the raging Techmarine.

Filthy Xenos scum? The Orks, also called Greenskins, are the dominant subspecies of the Orkoid race.

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" "Well met, Edryc Morrigan. I have heard rumors about your legion and their skills in the art of infiltration. If you have been dubbed Shadow by your own brethren, I have no reason to doubt your skills. I will admit I am curious about the origin of that nickname. Perhaps a story you will be comfortable to share with us later?" Morrigan politely returned the Blood Angel's greeting, despite finding him uncharacteristically optimistic for a Space Marine and antithesis to his own personality. "The rumors you speak of about the XIX are most certainly true." Morrigan spoke loudly, proud of his Legion's reputation and exploits in the service of the Emperor. "As are my particular skills," he added, not as a boast, but rather, a statement of fact. "I have many stories to share, as do, I'm sure, we all." Morrigan glanced around at those assembled. Though they appeared foreign from one another, he imagined all Astartes shared similar trials and tribulations just to become a Battle-Brother. "Raven Guard Aspirants must prove themselves worthy in a series of trials. The Trial of the Watcher. Trial of Justice. Trial of the Wraith." When recounting, he paused in between, reliving each terrible, yet ultimately enriching experience in turn. "But it was upon completion of the Rites of Shadow, I earned the status of "Shadow" - a title that holds great respect within the Legion." As he concluded, Morrigan instinctually brought his hands together and made a sign in Corspake, a form of sign language taught to all members of the Raven Guard, which allows them to communicate on the battlefield without having to risk exposure from speaking or using Vox technology. "Within the Raven Guard, I am not alone in holding the title of Shadow." He was poignantly reminded of Zorael's fabled rumors. "You could even say... we are a Legion of Shadows."

There's a new Warhammer 30K/Horus Heresy campaign book, Campaigns of the Age of Darkness - The Battle for Beta-Garmon, which includes rules for Legiones Astartes: Shattered Legions – Rules for assembling armies of mixed and mingled Space Marine Legions, whose behaviour is influenced in different ways by their clashing doctrines and hybrid tactics. Sound familiar?

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—" Morrigan remained in the shadows cast within the deep recesses of the towering Gothic halls and watched the eclectic group from afar. Each of the half-dozen Astartes sported the livery of different legions, with specialties just as varied. Morrigan spied another Assault Marine like himself, as well as a pair Tactical Marines, an Apothecary, a Mechanicus-enhanced Techmarine, and a psychically "gifted" Librarian. At the very least, Morrigan concluded, they had not been singled out for their conformity. When ordered to report to the Imperator Somnium, Morrigan, succumbing to his dark and brooding nature, had feared the worst. Unconsciously, his hand gravitated to the recovered Corvia of his fallen Dark Fury Battle-Brothers, all chained together and hanging from the Assault Marine's belt. Now, amongst the bustle of naval activity aboard of one of the Emperor's shining golden flagships, he... lessened his apprehension. "Make no mistake--we would not be summoned here to the Imperator Somnium were any of us the least among our legions. None of ye are fools. The Emperor would not suffer them aboard his flagship." The wisen words of the veteran Death Guard cut through Morrigan's calculating demeanour. Internalizing the situation would only get him so far. The Raven Guard quietly stepped forward. Taking a cue from the Luna Wolf, Morrigan removed his beaked helm to reveal his rather stark complexion. As a result of the Raven Guard Melanchromic Organ's unique mutation, Morrigan had ivory white skin, eyes of gleaming black orbs, and hair the colour of raven feathers. Once fully exposed, he was left with no other recourse but to announce himself. "Edryc Morrigan. Nineteen Legion." The Raven Guard was not one for protracted conversation, preferring the economy of brevity when possible. Though in this particular exchanging of introductions, he felt he should add, "There are those in my Legion who call me Shadow." Morrigan did not elaborate further.

Characteristics: WS 50 (+5), BS 44 (+4), S 35 (+8), T 38 (+6), Ag 49 (+5), Int 36 (+3), Per 44 (+4), WP 44 (+4), Fel 39 (+3) Movement: 14/28/42/84 | Armor: Body 9, Rest 8 Wounds: 20/20 | Fate Points: 3/3 | Pain Suppressant Doses: 6/6 "Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—"