The Primogenitor Project

 

The skin at the ends of his mouth cracked a little as the Chief Apothecary allowed himself to smile. Despite the time and resources it had taken, the various samples and experiments that had gone wrong and then razed before new tests subjects could be found or taken, he had finally been successful with his latest endeavour. 'Cawl, I have to hand it to you' he muttered to himself as his latest works cleaned up the last of their kills. The pict display showed the Sergeant surveying the field, striding past the bodies of freshly killed guardsmen as the Tormentum, Bile's personal transport, began to slow down. Not for thousands of years had the Clonelord seen such perfection on the field of battle, perhaps even since the Great Crusades. The purple and gold armour was a bold choice but the Spider knew it would mock the 'Loyalists' when they were being destroyed by a Legion renewed. He stroked his chin gently..... 'Perfection Primogenitor... Perfection.'

 

 

The Tormentum had stopped beside a small pile of corpses, where 5 Marines stood patiently for their Chief Apothecary. Fabius strode down the ramp. his skin cloak swaying as he spun around to meet his 'children'. Sergeant Hodoxum stepped forward and nodded. "You have performed well. I almost feel proud of you my sons' Fabius said to the squad. "Chief Apothecary, minor injuries to two but no losses. Enemy has been wiped out in this sector and Squad Daylus is advancing upon another enemy position as we speak. They will hold it shortly' the Sergeant stated. "Good" Bile replied. "There is a laboratory somewhere and it is important to me that I discover why these fools are dying to defending its location". A guardsmen let out a whimper nearby, and tried to reach up the Sergeants leg. Hodoxum looked down almost in pity, before stamping on the troopers skull releasing a small spurt of blood and matter onto the floor. "Sergeant advance to assist Squad Daylus. Inform them to take any officers prisoner but eradicate any others." The Sergeant motioned at his squad to move out, the gleaming purple and gold armour shone resplendantly as Fabius smiled once more, impressed with his own ability to have enhanced Cawls work into these magnificent beings. 'I would like to thank Cawl personally' Fabius thought to himself as he stalked back up the ramp of the Tormentum, the pistons on the door hissing as it closed behind him. 'Now, what secrets does this world have for me....' 

 
The Clonelord Cometh.

Future project tease, more information coming soon,

Guide to Roleplaying

Tabletop roleplaying has become one of my great passions in this hobby. Meeting up with friends to act out adventures that a dice (and sometimes a Dungeon Master) will determine is great fun and fantastic escapism. But what can you do to make yourself a better roleplayer?

First off, speak to the dungeon master and fellow players about what you want from the game. A bloodletting dungeon crawl can mean a lower amount of roleplaying and more fighting, whereas a grand campaign with a huge narrative arc allows a huge amount of scope for really delving into a character and backstory. This will help set the mood with your group at an early stage and put everyone one the same level.

When it comes to creating a character, think about how much you want to be involved with the roleplaying aspect. To keep it simple, choose a race and class that appeal to you and put a little of your own personality there. Humans are always a good start as we know how they act already, but Elves and Dwarves aren't too dissimilar to play either. If you're looking to push your skills then races like Tieflings, Dragonborn and Goliaths can really open up your perspective. A good DM will have the world react differently to differing races and this can be really interesting to play.

In terms of a backstory always converse with the DM. The first thing is to understand the setting, which will then spark some ideas as to where your character fits in. Talk to the DM about your idea and they may be able to link you into the story even more which will immerse you even more. The more immersion, the better the roleplaying.

When you begin playing theres some things to remember. Every player will, or at least should, get time to shine. This can be from triumph in a battle getting the last hit on a renowned enemy to being the focus of a story arc in which you'll do a lot of talking and roleplaying. These moments are great for your character so really try to lose yourself in these moments. Likewise, if its a fellow players time the best thing you can do is to give them the time to shine. If they are nervous about roleplaying then you can help them get immersed. If its in the heat of a battle, you can try to set them up for a finishing blow, either by an ability or spell that can buff them or by flanking or aiding them to give them advantage. If its more character based with conversations with NPCs then just help them with little questions the player may be unsure of to ask, ask them questions that will then inspire them to talk more with the NPC's. Being a great roleplayer isn't just about playing a good character but about helping the players around you be better roleplayers too.

There will also be many times when you know things as a player but your character may not. I usually mention to the DM 'I know how to do something but I'm unsure my character will, can I roll a check to see if he does?' to see if the character will know, or quite often not even mention it. Your character will have a different variety of knowledge compared to you and this works in the opposite way too. The DM mentions something you know nothing about but think your character will? Ask your DM and hopefully they'll ask you to make an ability check. You might learn something new!

 My final piece of advice is also to accept that you will make mistakes or bad decisions and have some truly terrible sessions where the dice rolls are incredibly bad. Yes its annoying, but don't get angry at such things as they will affect the rest of the players at your table. Remember TTRPG'ing is a game and a shared experience with a number of other players and a Dungeon Master. Player etiquette should always be a priority in a group, the happier each player is the more enjoyable the session will be for everyone. Someone roll a nat20? Give em a clap or a cheer! Someone roll a nat1? Have a collective groand but laugh too!

So there we have it! I'm learning all the time when I'm roleplaying so expect more thoughts on this tremendous aspect of gaming in the future, perhaps I'll be able to get other peoples thoughts too from fellow players and dungeon masters. If there are topics you'd like me to cover then please get in touch and I'll see what I can do, Don't forget my affiliate link with The Outpost above if you want to get some nice discounts from your tabletop gaming needs and I'll be back again soon with another blog post.

The Fractured Imperium

Call the internet plumber for the leaks are out. Roboute Guilliman, the Primarch of the Ultramarines and having been in stasis for thousands of years, is back. With him comes a new Grey Knights (bore) Grand Master and much more excitedly, Cypher.

Cypher looks impressive, and it will be interesting to see where the story lies for these characters. In one of the leaked pictures from White Dwarf, Cypher stands next to both Guilliman and the GKGM even though he was once thought a heretic. The Dark Angels will likely still think this, but my narrative head is beaming with ideas. A couple of other pictures leaked held some very intriguing text. One mentioned that some in the Imperium would be incredibly suspicious that Roboute has been brought from the dead, while the Primarch himself is dismayed at the state of the Imperium. This makes me wonder... will the Imperium split? 

Think about it, not for thousands of years have the Imperium had a figure to look upon as a leader. The High Lords of Terra are mysterious, the Emperor is but a corpse held alive but machinery, who do they look upon? Roboute. However, with the Emperor being revered as a God Guilliman may not agree with many of the Imperiums rules, hence a possible civil war. Depending on rumours with how this Gathering Storm continues we could see the fracture of the Imperium of Man.

Cypher working with Roboute, is he trying to tell the primarch that the emperor needs to be killed to be reborn? Vulkan could be used as evidence and a potential future release down the line. However, due to the many cults and factions many will not allow this and I can see a brutal war breaking out amongst the Imperium. Rumours abound that the Gathering Storm after this third instalment could see Vect return, along with Mortarion in his Daemon Prince form and a new envisioning of Abbadon, which is well needed. Will they perhaps work together to create an even bigger divide of the Imperium, taking advantage of the inner turmoil? Perhaps Cypher even is creating this discord, its always been said he creates a lot of discord and would suit his character. 

The splitting of the Imperium would be huge. Space Marines no longer allying with other factions like the Grey Knights or the Ordo Hereticus, Imperial Guard could be stuck in the middle, Primarchs vs High Lords of Terra. Having the story arc for Warhammer 40,000 move along after so many years is exciting, so many possibly story lines could be closed, expanded and started that this time next year we could be talking about the fringes of the Imperium battling the empires of the Eldar, Tau and Renegades. Perhaps the Tyranids will evolve and become a republic, leading the other races into a new age of prosperity. Yeah, and Jokearo might fly out of my butt.

The Alliance. Tau and IG vs Chaos Batrep.

"Gyozo looked up into the night sky of Garandus as the three alien craft came into sight. As a voice of the Emperor, he felt compelled to preach his words and thus ready the Xenos to graves. Vincent Eniko stared at the emotionless mask sat upon Orneus' head. "It is not a fight these aliens look for, at least not yet Chaplain. Read them, react, but do not initiate." Orneus turned his head towards the Evandalists Chapter Master, and took his skull helm off. "Of course my Lord, meeting aliens is one thing, trusting them, that is another." Enniko looked up and saw the craft nearing them. The Tau were xenos, this much was true, and the old Chaplain was right in that they could not be trusted. But when a common enemy shows itself, the Tau had proven themselves on the battlefield and could become a useful ally.

As the three Devilfish touched down, Eniko, flanked by Gyozo, strode forward to the middle skimmer. Its rear door unleashed a hiss and lowered itself onto the cold plascrete landing pad. Out came 6 Tau Firewarriors, who fell into line to create a small path. Then stepped out a figure in similar armour to the Firewarriors but with what could only be the Tau's own version of heraldry Eniko thought. "I am Leo'audo. I lead my Firecaste brothers here to stem a threat neither of us can allow on our doorsteps despite our own differences. It is with honour we fight beside you."
"I am Vincent Eniko of the Evandalists Space Marines. We accept your assistance in this hour of battle and in the name of the Emperor shall fight beside you regardless of differences or beliefs." Eniko nodded his head, and Leo'audo did the same. The Tau leader then strode back into his Devilfish as the Firewarriors followed him, and within seconds the APC was heading back to where it came. Vincent turned to Orneus.... "Tell Shiori the alliance is on, I want the Librarian to test their word."

Welcome all to another battle report, 3k points per side! Once again I teamed up with Alun, I took Tau with Space Marine allies, and Alun took Imperial Guard with Grey Knight allies. We played against the daring duo of Adam aka Nurglecommand, and Chris with his Khorne Bezerkers. The mission was Big Guns Never Tire, each objective offering a valuable strageic point we would battle for. This also meant our heavy support choices could capture them, very useful with myself taking two Hammerheads. We deployed and went first.

Both myself and Alun formed a formidable gunline, but we also knew if anything came close and assaulted... we'd probably have a drubbing! The Hammerheads with their incredible range took the right flank, where they could aim their guns almost anywhere on the table. The Riptide stood guard behind the bastion that occupied my Fireblade and 12 firewarriors. 

The Chaos forces also had a Bastion, in which stood a squad of havocs with autocannons, and below was a plague marine havoc squad with heavy bolters. Both dangerous to our forces! A large deathguard unit stood with Typhus, while Khorne forces mostly mustered on my right. Two hordes of Zombies took the centre behind khorne rhinos. 

Adam aka Nurglecommand looking suitably disgusting, drinking Plaguefly Bile. 35% apparantly!

The Imperial Guard were weary of the new alliance, they had heard stories of fighting beside Tau and against them. Some whispered that the Tau even inducted humans into their 'septs', although this could surely not be true. Who would turn their back on the Emperor? Guardsman Ornack looked across to the enemy line. Those traitorous scum had turned their backs, and they would now pay. 

The Imperial Guard started to rush forwards eyes firmly set on the objectives given to them. They heard autocannons firing, and as Ornack looked at the enemy bastion from where they came it was suddenly illuminated with strong beams of light. Then the Pulse Rifles of the Firewarriors sang. An astounding number of shots flew from the friendly fortification and tore apart the heretics standing atop the tower. Ornack noted the sudden silence of autocannon fire despite the chatter of other weapons. Seeing this he heard the familiar booms of battlecannon, blood red rhinos torn apart and Bezerkers flooding out of them.

"My Lord, do you feel we can trust the Xenos?" Sergeant Varyun's question was the very question that had been flowing through Shiori Kiyoshi's mind since he had been tasked with this mission. A force of Imperial Guard and Tau were repelling a Chaos force, but reports had sighted a vile Nurgle Zombie horde flowing towards the area. Chapter Master Enniko had entrusted Shiori and the Tactical Squad Varyun to drop pod down to the sight and attempt to stem the zombies from entering the battle. As the drop pod thundered down to the planets surface, all Epistolory Kiyoshi could think was how much the Tau could be trusted. So far, they had proved their word was true, but Kiyoshi would think twice about turning his back to the aliens. "The have remained honourable so far Varyun, they may also wonder if we are honourable, its time to prove it." 

 Leo'Audo had seen one Chaos squad dead. Their heavy weapons were lo-tech, but were as deadly as the Tau's and would decimate his brothers if allowed, but this was now rectified. He could see Ra' Fellau zipping around with his marker drones, commanding from the front and assisting all he could. As the humans blew up one of the Chaos Rhinos, he could see a squad of the dreaded bezerkers leap out of the wreck and aim straight for the Tau leader.Then the Angels appeared.

"The sudden impact always brought a rush to the Librarian. The drop pod smashed onto the ground as the pistons hissed and the doors swung open. Landing amongst the Chaos lines the Librarian saw a Death Guard havocs squad firing their heavy bolters at the Imperial lines. Kiyoshi immediately brought his psykers abilities to the fore. As power rushed to his fingers, an energy covered he and the Tactical Squad Varyus to protect them from what would come their way as he unleashed a blue flamestorm over the Havocs. Somehow nothing happened, although bolter fire from the Tactical Squad took down one of the plague ridden marines. Shiori looked around suddenly feeling a presence, to see that from both sides they were being rushed by Khorne Bezerkers. Their numbers were small, but any number of the crazed traitors were dangerous. The Librarian then saw 'them'. Mutated, shambling hordes of zombies coming out from a mist. There were at least a hundred. Three of squad Varyus were shot apart as three of the Khorne Bezerkers hit into them. Shiori trusted them to hold them up as he would take care of the others. As the Bezerkers came within the last 20 yards, lights suddenly lit their armour, and then they were vapourised as a Tau Crisis suit used a melta like weapon to annihilate the heretics. He saw the Crisis suit do a nod-like gesture as it jumped off to assist others, and felt reassured suddenly about the alliance. He turned to see Sergeant Varyus and the rest of squad about to embrace the zombie horde. He leapt in and took down a score with his force sword, but still they kept coming."

Alun explains some dastardly tactic or how many natural extracts he uses to wash his hair. 

Ornack hunkered down from the enemy fire. Heavy bolters had slaughtered the squad, and he was left with Guardsman Jenk. "I thought the xenos were helping us!" he screamed as the air exploded above them. Ornack glanced up and saw that the immense Tau walker had unleashed a huge beam of energy towards Typhus and his deathguard. He looked at the target and could see half of the plague marines were killed in the explosion. "That helps" he shouted back to Jenk. As he turned to see his reaction Jenk launched up to reach the objective, a dead Tau with some sort of device in his hand. As the guardsman jumped over the crator bullets jolted into his body, taking his legs from under him and making him tumble back down the crator edge next to Ornack. "Shit" Ornack thought to himself, he was now the last man in his unit. He peeked up again to see more Imperial and Tau fire hit Typhus and his squad, a Forgefiend, at least what was left of it, sheltering them from some fire but still a couple of the resiliant marines fell.

The Tau Fireblade looked for his squads next target. He glanced to the right, and could see a Chaos Terminator stomping towards the Imperial lines with a retinue of Bezerkers. Just as he was about to give the order for his squad to fire the Imperial Guard line opened up, taking most of the Chaos Marines away. The Chaos Lord bellowed in defiance and stomped ever closer. Leo'Audo then saw a silver figure leap over the aegis defence line and bound into the Chaos Lord. Mighty swings of swords clashed, and both launched vicious attacks into each other. The Tau Fireblade was partly impressed, very few in the Tau culture could stand up to such ferocity in hand to hand combat, and even give back as good as they gave. The two titans fought and it seemed everything else stood still.

 Crowe returned the blows and struck out with his tainted blade. The Chaos Lord took the shot, then swung his own weapon at the Castellan, severing his arm from the shoulder. Crowe winced as the Khorne chosen took out his blade and readied his arm to strike again. Crowe used the last of his energy to pull his weapon free of the traitors terminator armour and stick it into the vision slit of the heretics helmet. The Daemon weapon was still coming at Crowe however, the Guardsmen nearby watching the battle gasping as one of their champions fell. The Chaos Lord laughed, then fell silent as his ancient terminator armour slumped to the floor motionless.

"The Marines held their own, and none had fallen of the Evandalists apart from the three that were against the Bezerkers, who had all died either facing each other or by the swarm of dead pouring over them. Varyus tore heads off with his chainsword and shot others in the face with his boltpistol, while the rest of the squad used their bolters to fend them off and shoot down zombies when their guns were free. The Sergeant ripped another zombie in half, stepping back to help free his chainsword. As he did so, 3 zombies fell onto him clawing at him desperate to end his life. Shioro kicked one off quickly as his sword took anothers head clean off by the neck. One of the squad fired bolter rounds, sprayed the decayed brains of the third all over the armour of Varyus. The Marine turned around and was suddenly set upon himself by more of the mutants. falling as their mutated limbs broke through his power armour and tore at his flesh."

Ornack took another glance, hoping not to be spotted by the traitors. Gunfire was becoming more and more hard to hear, but it still rang in the Guardsmen ears. He saw Typhus and his last few death guard walking towards the dead Tau warrior, and knew that whatever the alien ally had held, the Chaos forces wanted it. He turned his back to them about to offer another prayer to the Emperor, when suddenly the ground around him vibrated. He opened his eyes back up to see the huge Tau walker striding towards him, firing over the crator behind which he was hiding. He took another glance over the edge and could see Typhus and the Plague Marines being hammered by Ion cannon, missiles, battlecannons and Pulserifle fire. As the last of Typhus' retinue fell, a huge force struck the Herald of Nurgle and suddenly he was gone. Ornack launched himself over the crator edge and kneeled next to the dead Tau firewarrior. The device was flickering, and he would never know what it was, but he had helped secure it. The Riptide strode over into the crator, and planted each of its legs either side of Ornack and the objective, firing at the last remnants of the Chaos forces.

"Shioro leapt into the last 3 zombies and decapitated them with his force weapon. Sergeant Varyus ordered the last of his men to check for any left, but they all seemed to have been dispatched. Shioro turned to see the Tau battlesuit jetting towards him. It stopped a few yards in front of the Librarian and stood as tall as a dreadnaught, one drone hovering near the shoulder. Its small head nodded at the Evandalist psyker, and it jumped back away to its comrades. "Lord Eniko, the Tau have stood by their word. We have completey decimated the Old Enemy and all objectives are ours. Sergeant Varyus and 5 of his squad remain along with myself. Drop pod took a hammering but it still operates, its machine spirit is strong." Kyoshi closed the small communicating device built into his wrist armour and walked over to his comrades. "My Lord, it seems they do hold honour. Does this mean we can trust them?" The Librarian looked at Varyus. "It would seem that we do, at least for now. Be ready for transport, we'll assess this with Eniko and I'm sure we'll hear from our new 'friends' soon."

So another game with Tau, this time with some Space Marine allies. I wanted to take them so I could link them in with the previous game me and Alun had against Adam and Chris. Its nice to keep the narrative going! We finished the game with 17 points to the Chaos total of... 0. Wowser! I think our strengths were being able to concentrate fire on what we needed too, although Chris' Chaos Lord did get close, and I did lose a squad of Firewarriors to a single Raptor that didn't die in overwatch. Otherwise the game went well! My plan to hold up the centre of the Chaos line for a couple of turns with the Marines worked a treat, with a few surviving the game including the Librarian alive too. 

Using a Crisis suit Commander with a squadron of marker drones was amazing too, I always got at least 6 marker hits out of 8 which made them incredible reliable. Do I prefer these or Pathfinders? Close call I think! The Hammerheads did ok, although their first turn wasn't, they both hit but failed to crack the front armour of a Chaos Predator. The Helldrakes were a nuisance, but didn't control the game as much as they can. The Riptide and Firewarriors with Fireblade were my best units, their firepower tore apart Chaos squads including Typhus, who was then finished off by a Railgun shot. All in all a great game, lets see if the story continues!