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ATTHEEDGE OF.DESPAIR
•
.NEW PLAYER ARCHEIYPJ3S
• DECAYING.ARMOURY • EXPANDED RrrEs AND RITUALS
•
FORGING DAEMON ENGINES
•
CHAPTER II: DEATH BRINGERS .,.,(Jt,,
..Wby ®you_qrug;,lr so. licrft Mt:, n'CI' the iCJ airyou b«dtht holds th< .smfs ofym1r n.'tt'.tual and nv:rfasting dtstnict.fon?" -Crier of the Hordes of Nymcronth
0
fall the Chaos Gods. Nurglc is most involved with the plights of the mott3l 1t'31m. He is the lord of Disease and Dcc.iy, and C':\'ery living thing endures
his minf.stration.s before uhimatel)• falling to corruption nnd ruin. A noble fe\\' face this d eath bn\
lif<' in their eagerness to
.escape their f:tte. To these desperate individllillls, Nurglc offers salvation through eternal st.Jgnation and entropy in the form of copious Warp-Sp-3Wnt'd contagions th-at ravage the body and corrupt the soul. In return, Nurglc's diseased followers sing prajses to the Pl:iguc God for h~ generous bounties while agerly spreading their lotd's affiictions. As the numbers of d ead muhiply aod entire \\•orlds drown bcne.ath tides of filth and pestilence, Nu.rgle' s po\\1er and influence gto\\'S until his daemonic serwncs burst f0tth into a.he material rc-:ilm intent on spreading his: pl:1gucs to evtry comer of the galaxy. This Chapter of T HE TOME Of' D ECAY inttodu:ces new Traitor Legions ;:o the abhorre-nt hordes that dwell within the Screaming Vortc:x as Wt'll as vile new human and Chaos Space fl;iarine Archetypes. Plague Mari:ne: A W3rrior of Ch3o.s \\'hose fouJ afflictions 3jd him jn spreading Nurgle's blights. Vn.ttan of the Long War: A Ch-aos Space Marine that seeks only to destroy the hated lmpcrium. Warpsniith: A profane Techmarine whose me
AT THE EDGE OF DESJPAJR "Ht.have shtrttaal our chains ofCondiff! amf cast c/m;n thtir ftrc to cxt:ruct wr ft'flgtJrt«'from l/Jrirjltsb! Ltr us J'tf"lY tbm a Jf;ousamJfold!. - Khrengas the Spiteful, Gr3nd Defiler of the Gore-Spattered Fist
ONci)a-fJflS lits! A'w1P< arrjrr(, 1R)' br«htt;
he Impcrium offltian is the largest endeavour in humanity's long :i.nd la1gt.Jy fo-r~ttcn h isto~ enc..ompassing millions of v.'Orlds and untold billions of subjects. This massive r.eaJm was forged during lhc legendary Creat Crusade, the immortal Emperor led his ~rmies acro&S the mrs in
T ,mm
•n U!ljlitctdrou:d camp•ign of conquest illld exploration. Yet this age of enlightenment :and discovtry was not mc:i.nt to be, for Horus, grcateit of the Space 1\1arinc Prinurchs, betrnytd hjs o.1ths of allegiance and led! b:rlf the Space 1'1arine legions in a tt:rril:K civil war that tore the lmperium asund«. Though the Emperor eventually cast dovon the trnitorous V.'arm:ister in single combat and scattered his legions, the ccm. would ultimately p~ cawtropbic fo.r the fledgli ng lmperium. For tQ,
downfall of me Corpse-God >nd his rcnlm.
THE DEATH GUARD Thoo_gh OO'-'' -coosiOaro o-ne of the Jmpc:rium's most abhorrent f~ lhc Death Guard \\'ere once counted among the most rclentlcss,and resolute.of the Emperor's warriors. The: c.-ypt'ic Stygian Scrolls-claim the Legion bailed from the planet B~nlS, :i coxic wodd wrC3lbcd in 11 pc:rpetu.11 poisono~ fog. As a result. 1hc planet's inhabitta:nts became extreme.ly rcsiJient to lheir poisctnPus home \\·orld, a r.rnit chat \\'ould e\'ClltU3lly pc rise tQ the Death Ctsard'.s, infamous ability to operate in C¥tn the most toxic warz:oncs. This hardy constittJrion, ~bioed wish a grimly stoic d emeanour and brutally efficient {ifantiy lattics. nudr j~ Death Cuatd o-ne of the most "e1U.itd.W .tt!iabfe fon:es \\•ithin the c~at Crusade.
i'
Yet when Horus led h3ff the: Space fl.1aci ne legions in to sway Mortarion, the Death Guard's pallid and grim Prim11tdi, to join him in U:aring to Ilic ground 3JI 1h:a1 his father hsd :wcomplishcd. \Vhal c:x.3,cdy motiwtcd f';iortarion to bctr.3y the lmperium is lost to hislory, ~·et he and his y,·arriots c2gcrly joined the other t.mito-ts in 1heir camp.aign of destruction. crossing into the \Vnrp en m3ssc to aid in the assault on Holy Terra. Ho\\'CVer, shotdy after their transition, •tbe Death Cu:ard were becalmed within the fickle \Varp tid~ while n sttange and devastating plague of unprec~cntcd virulence ravaged the l.egion and thcir attendant flec·l Even the: legendary physiologies of the Sp:u:e 1\1arines couJd not save them as one by one cadi of the Oe:ath Guard was O\'Crcome, their superhuman bodies bloated and distended 3S the foul contagion tnnsfonned them into shambling, diseased gro~squcs. YcL none: 3fr bclicvt.d to h:ivc suff~rcd as gn:ntly 3S ?v1ort:a1ion, \vho \V1'IS forced to watch his progeny stumble in unending anguish thro(lgh the disc.'lse choked confines of their helpless vtS.Sels withoot hope of escape or death. Jn despcr:ition, Mortarion olftred up his soul :and the souls of the remaining Death Guard to the \ V-atp in excllan~ for his Legion's salvation, and it was Nurgle, Lord of Oisc:m- and Dcco-,s "'>ho answered his pr.l}'C"r, saving the Dc3th Guard and ensuring their e1ernal dan1n:ation. \\!hat evencually emerged from the \Va.rp ,.,ithin the: it filth CO\'Cttd plague ships ""t:re not the stoic and :austere Death Guard ofold, but the 6rst-a.od most deadly of the Pfague Jo.brines. Led by their Primarch, the U3nsfonned Legion burst forth upon the E.mperor"s Palace of TecrJ like a tide of putrid .corruption, their d~ase~ncrustcd bulks and rust-CO\'Ctcd weapons y,•reaking 3 de\'3Stating toll upon the Imperial defenders. rt be Ilion :igainsrthe Emperor, he was~bJc
4
Jn the-wake of Hofus's d efeat, the- Death Guard s:«reated to the Eye: of Tc-rror alongside the other Tr2itor Legions, their s 1e3df3St demeaoour allowing them to avoid che dis!lrray 3nd snarchy emit afilictcd many of their tntitor brethren. Upon entering the \V3rp, they laid claim to a blighted \\1orld ncar the borders of re.ality now known as the Plague Planet. The Death Guard arc said to dY"ell there still, and it is from this poisonous rock t hat the Legion continues to strike out at their Imperial enemies. their massi\'e plague s hips bursting with diseased fo llowers eager to bring despair and desolation to mankind. Those .insiine and corrupted individuals y,:ho claim to haves.ct foot upon it S3)' it i.s a toxic \\'orld of corruption and pestilence whose skeleul ruler dwells within his wrought· iron bastion upon the v.·orld's highest peiik. Since their fall, the Legion has utterly dcdicat.ed itself to ptoP3g.iting Nu.G'gle's corruption, its disc:ised Aeets spc\\'ing from the \Varp to spread his vile plagues across countless worlds. Jn OO~le, they are as utterly relendcu as evc-1.. inexorably advancing in the face of withering fuc while using their rost~covcred bohers and poisonou..s Pl:ague Knives to brutally dispJtch t heir foes. Their bloated and disc3sed bodies ate immune to fear :and pain. ofien aUowing diem to causally ignore \\'Ounds which \\'Ould kill lessc1 men. Throughout their centuries of r.liding, t he l.cgion h3s graduatly spBt i:nto smaller and sm:iJJer units., e:ach led by ~ patticularly d~adly C hiimpion of Nurgle in addition to the untold numbers of foetid, \Varp-spa"''ned servants thar accompany them. In keeping with thcit corrupt heritage, the Death Guard primariJy light on foot, retying heavily on infantiy ta.ctics and their own disc3sed physiologies to o~rpower thcit enemies. f\.tany of these ttpulsivc 'Wrriors are the same traltors who btirst forth from the \Vatp during the fabled Bllttle of Terra centuries ago, while others are mo~ recent converu .,,.,,.ho h:i~ S\\'om nllegiancc to both 1\1orctrion and his noxious patron. Scauerc:d warbands of Death Cunrd frequently operate w ithin and around the Screaming Yonex, e~r eager to reduce the m3ny wo1lds surrounding those unn:itur.ll currents to s tinking morasses of putrefaction. Though few in numbct,. they fToqti.cntly swell their r:i.nks with denizens of che Vortex vtho wish to spread Grandfather Nurgfe's bounty as \\'CU 3S the numerous Traitor Space Marines w ho hai.'C embraced the path ofdeC3)( Yet t hen: is :a change coming within ~he Vortex, with m:iny isolated w.irbands uniting bentath the pestilent banner of3 malC'"'-•olent ne\\' chiimpion who h:as emerged from the etemal wanoncs that surronnd the Calixis Sector. Known only .as Buorgdius, legend has it that he wias once a proud c.1prain of a Space 1\1arinc purgation force that ~s sent -to facilitate the erndication of Chaos forces \\'ithin the Acheros S31ient of the Jericho Reach. After months of brutal e;ampaigning. 3 rogue plague ship u.nexpcctcdly btirst forth from the \Varp-and rammed his Stiike Cruiser before vomiting its rotting warriors direcdy into the vessc:.l's interior. It is s:aid that the Capuh1 fought \\•ith terrible fury, cutting do\\'n all manner of plague-riddeo monstrosities \vhilc enduring the fQUI sw.ainns of fiies and noxious clouds of contagion that choked cvcryconido1 and assailed his superhuman frame.
By the time he reached tb~ bridg,e, the mig"hty warriar could barely stond, ,,·hjJe behind him his battle brotht'B by de-ad or dying and che servants of Nurgte mn rampant throughout the h3llowcd halls of tbe venerable Strike Cruiser. The bloated 03emon~thing dt:tt confronted him w ithin that necrotic bubo laughed at the Y.'Cakcned Ca~i n~s plight and r.1ised his massive V1Capon to strike the killing blow. lo that moment, the Captain despa:ircd, crying out In 3ngujsh •nd pleading for the strength to kill his foc..SuddenJy unhindered by the innume1'3ble infect ions: that festered within hiS body, the Capt2in strtaek- out with renewed vigour, smiting his. opponent :ind cl3iming his place at me plague s hip's helm. Now he is ii Champion of Nurgfe whose: plague fleet plies the outer fringes of the Sc1eaming Vortex, unle.uhing its f'C\•olting \\'arriors ag:ainst those unfortunate enough to fall afool of their disen.scd and leprous hulks. In combat,
Buorgdilll leads the rcanim3tcd corpses of his former SpJc_t Marine brc:th1en into battle vi.•hile wielding 11 massive moce crafted from the disc:ased bones of his unholy predecessor, and dripping with repellent \V:itp energies. Afterward, hi:s undcad "Warriors stuff t he inn:umerable dead and dying into the filthy, dank plague holds of his vessels in order that thc:y may moulder in the foetid d3rkncs:s. In t hjs way. the champion recruits many of his mightiest \\'arrion,, :tnd he is s3id to offer a place in his \\'arband to any who w ill bul s:upplic:i~ themselves·before the Lord of Dcc:iy.
THE BLACK LEGI ON Since the t.ime of Horus' bct~-ya~ much of the Arch-Ttaicor's history has been expunged from Imperial records. \\'hile v.·hat little has survi\•ed is rate :ind Jealously gua1ded. Yet before his fateful :actions m:ade his .name a by.v.'Ord for sedition and catastrophe, Horus Luperc:&I was wid~ly considered the greatest of 'he Primiirchs. A master tlletician and warrior. Horus was highly intelligent and ch.arism.3tic, able to inspire the best in his feJlov.• :Primarchs while utilising their respectiVC' Legions in opcr:itions th:at suited lheir unique t:il«1ts. Following his success ng.iinst the Orks during the Ullanor Crusade. Horus v.•:is e levated to t he newly cn.-ated rank of Warmiister, \\'hile the lunar Wolves~ great~ of the Space Marine Ugioos, "''ere renamed The Sons of Horus in his honour. As pan of his nev.• position, Horus " '3S given over.tll command of the Emperor's Great C rusade and the hitherto unprecedented expansion o f humanity's domain. However, as the Emperor "'ithdrew to Terra to continue his great Yo'Ork, Horus became disiUusioncd with his place within t he lmperium, asting his lot and th3t of his LcgiO,n agiinst 1he Emperor of mankf.nd in the service of tht Chaos Cods. Perhaps he resented a lord who seemed to prcftt others to \\'in his. bauJes fo r h im while- he reapc-G W glol')'J or maybe Horus resented the worship ..,,.hich h•d s~ up around t he Emperor as -a livfng god Many wilhili b& own legio n even cl.aim a 03tC'mon possessed Hon:.""rinJlt those lcgend3ty' rimes. Ultimately, the t rue motiva Horlls's betrayal died \\'ith him when the Emperor slew "\Varm:ister al the h ci~t of the 1nfamous Battle _. yet his tteachcry and the acti ons of those who • forever tl"3nsfocmed hum:anity's fa.Le.
DEAIH TO THE FALSE EMPEROR! The dc:tth o( their Prim.1reh w.i.s :t traum:ulc blow for thr Sons of Horu~ who had :&IW'*yS prided thc1nsc:lvc:s on being 1hc greatest of the Space M•tinc l..tgions. Upon hearing of lhrir Pri~·, fate, the Son.s of Horus immcdi.aldy fell b3ck r...... the s..., of the EmpttOls Palx<. br<>klng nnks and l't'trairing inro chc bb('.kncss of .spxc with 1he body of their dc:KI 'Vann:aJtcr. Such :ictiqn.s cnmed the Sons of Horus 1hc enmity of all 1hc other Tr.titor S~cc i\iJ.rinc Legions on th.at d~ -vritich would b tcr ttttim 10 h.1u.nt thtwn, chcit d"""""'C .,,. .,,. lc£ioa 11a1 ill«> !he FoBo.,. Eye of Tt'trOf when: thry rcnuu1cd among the most 3ClM of the TraitOI Legions, frequently l'lliding Imperial sp:ice :uw:t openly counin&the 'larious pov..c:n: and Daemons of the \Varp. Hov."CW'C the Jc.gion soon fot..nd jtscJf cmhfotlcd in "'3rious «>oructswi1h ,..,. IOancr .,...._duri ng driifcd Horus's lomb and sook the Wannntcr'• corpsie in on:kr to done 1hc no1orious kadcr. Furious •1 svch \\':l.nron dcxo Mlon of thc!tr bc:&o,
m:
wt.Kil,.,,."""'"'"""'
ixwfy eao£:•e«i champions -M h~ won fNOW duough their ocfarious dttds :1t1d violent :11n fn :iddJtion. individtul loyaJties, old nv;ih ies, and conOiccing devotiont co the Chaos Cods oftc-n lead to internal dispulcs within 1hc Legion itself. while ~ Bbdc Legion's pcndunc for dacmonk possession only compound• .um fiag..colation.. Despite such dnisions, the Bbc'k legion is -holly united in its undying hatl't'd of the lmpcrium, and hJS launched innumerable rnlds upon countless Imperial W'
°'
"''""btt
"' ponicubr, led by """ Hod•n>t the ~ ind inftomtt a.n: tn the- 'll:Sa"ndJ~t.
~r
THE IRON WARRIORS
Had-a1or is ;1 Black Legion C aptain whose warriors havt" w rought terrible h:a\'OC upon the beleaguered lmperi2I Forces of the Jericho Reach since the early da}'S of thal disastrous camp;i.ign. Since then his forces havt- contjnucd to grow ns Ch:ios 1\1arines from many different Legions -and backgrounds unite beneath h is banner of hatred and nulice. He d ocs not seem to favour 3 particul ar C h3os Cod over another. p«"ferring inste.:id 10 offer devotions to rile numerous po"·ers to suit his needs. Despite such activity, bis goals !Ind purpose remain e lusive, and whis pers of his motivations arc a frequent topic of rumours and \\' idcsptcad speculation amid the trexherous po\\'ers of the Vortex. Such questions might never be answc~d, ho\\•ever, as his ambitions and objectives ate his own, aod he comnunds fierce and unquestioning loyslcy from chose- beneath his command. Dcspitt' his motiw tions, hjs intense h atted of his fo rmer Adeptus Astanes brethren fs undenk1ble, often leading him to abandon entire assaults and forfeit an_y gains at the slightest opportunity to engage Ade ptus Astnrtcs forces. O nly d uring such cngagcme nu docs the Ravager deign to set foot upon the field of battle, c:agcrly rend ing and t C'3ring his superhuman ad\•ersaries Limb from limb whik screaming his defiance at -the Corpsc-Cod...s fo llowers. Sudl actions have led many co speculate that bjs sole mociv:ttioo is lo tum the: entire front into a mcaf grinder in order to SJtjatc his manjfest hatred, 11 bet.id" which only further S\\'<:Us -his rn.niu.
Ekfore their fall during the fabled Horus 1-lerCS)o; the Iron Warriors .,...·ere 3mong the lmperium's finest siege breakeOi rut hle3Sly e ffi cient in :ill aspcc.ts of s t1tic warfal't' and comb..i. engineering. In 'l!ddition to their exttpt ion-:.J combat skill~ ~3ch possessed an inn3te affin ity for cechnology
No 1.iERcr, No QUARTER Following 1hc Wann.astt r's de.feat, the Iron Warriors JCtn:ated to the:: many fortress woddJ th~t their gJrrison fore~ hAd .......i..n ln th< W2k< o( HONS's bdny>I '" ~ to . - oll' th< lo)'llisls• i-.ublc =ult. They did not h.r.t co "'"it long. Th< rcsuh•ng camPJign wu .1 brut:1f and protracted nfTt1r. Afler yc:irs intense fi ghting, the lmperial F'&Sls, w11h svpport from 1hclr Ultramarine 111lle1, droVC" their longs12ndit1& rivals from 1hc ~ of their strongholds. lbtir home worid destroyed and t ~ir empt« in nuns. rht Iron \\'artiors fina lly rcb'Cltcd inro Ux- Eye ofTt1T0t whett they continue to dv.·cll to t.hU day Despite 1hc many centuries of exposure ro 1hc m3dncu of the \Yarp. the Iron \\':ttriors havt" ttaincd much of thcit <>
or
time of Horus's bttr.1ya~ the: Lcgio.n was scattt:rcd across
do:zc-ns of'ft0nts and h&ndft'ds Of V.'OridS\ mc-:ining QOOUC uuly knov.•s I.ht- Ltgion 's siu and .._rcngth during lhoM: turbukn1 days. Now they opcrur in dcploymcncs of ..nous mes, ranging fl'Oft'I vruU ddachtrk nts acnt to aid theit fellow Oum Sp3cc M.lrina to C1lllld CO>mp;inies cap:lbfc of besieging huge swathes of Imperial sp:iec and responsible for the deaths and suffcti.n&e>( biJJions. The largest of thesc- (on:cs awe their aHegiantt IO powerful \\r.1nm1du:: 'W1'CDn 'fllo'llrioa ""-borstcxtial g.n... a>mlincd w
*
w·
or
\Vithin chc Screaming Vona the Iron Warrion arr:- highly w.lued allic,, often commanding great wt11hh or tribute f1om any w11rlords who wish co gain access 10 lhe powerful v.'Calpons in their possession. They 3.rt' wichou1 mercy or conscicncr. ni1ning dc-atb upon their enemies and iooottn.a: alike with ru1hlca dliciency 11 nd ~.wing only ckvutacion and the s[ajn in 1hcil' wak Like m..ny rcneg3dCS the bodies the Screaming Vonex, the Ir motivations :arc within who dwell and mtny pit opposift& pco~"C'f"S :t:pinst ~.1erving. entirely stlf to one aoother in order apac>i1 the varioos" a:wdlaco thM , . throughout the sector for chrir own .scaibr pin. The mosc prolific of these c11;Uous individuals u \Vmmith Madrydon Dnados who, along with his brut.:il Sh1t.uer Corps, Sttks to dc:suoy the lmpctium's many forc1fiatjoos and IOrucsscs duoughout EM nearby scaors. He believes dm w
or
bcnc:uh ia O'ft·n "'Cighr :1nd be IJid opro m the numerooi marauden nnd forces of Ch:ios that surrouind It, To Dmdos, such bastions arc pe.rsoml a«ront.s to his own .11biUties th;ir IC1"YC onty ro sustain the powl't of the- dcodcnt and corrupt v.-eakfings who CO\ll>U behind lhcm. In addition co tht nume10us Vt';trrior.s beneath h" comm:and Madt)-'don's wn.rband also po:ucucs a grear mJny poy,-erfui w.ar m.:tchincs l'CCentJy liber:ucd from the nc1rby Spinward 11-onL These once noblt' machlOCS ~· s kicu-r aod stomp bcsidt' chc \V.aamiah"s :umic:s a btilkU.a us c - roo:smxts: or crrrifying l>.acmon Engine$, their pristine forms twisted bc)-ond recognition thanks co 1hc efforts of \V:u-ptmith Cocix:.
.
-·-
1PLAGUE ffiARJNE ~ ..J.::::.,;::u} IUf,'1:.'J?,:::;1...,""
for.s-.7"" s/pD"'"""" '""f'O""' _ ...•
--Pb__gue Captain Dc1poidlo~ Champion of Grief he l oo:I of Decay has m::iny scrnnts: that dwel1 within the switfinlg eddies of 1.hc SC'J'e:imin& Vortex-. Among the greatest of these att the Plague M:iirincs, w.uriors "''hose putrid :a:ppc:ar.ince is m:uchcd only by chelt ~rmi.n:uion and unnJ1rutal rnilicocc. \Vhi&c the Oc:i•.h Cu:ttd att the most nocorious «these vile iodiv~ noc cwry T n.itor litb rioc du t folows lh< pad> of clcay owa his all
T
pollottd mag._ fo< Nu'ilundmc< k :IYSibbk to aU "'ho pn:wc ~'Ofthy or his liM>uL Yet ,.,g:m1ia. of thci• oriJ:i~
W den.iv:ns of the Vonn
ofien givr: these grotesque bru1e1 1 wide benh, ns each is alw.ays c:Jgtr to Jh2tc their bouni;y or diSCMC and dc:t!h.
M.AJUNE
PLAYING A PL'\GlTE Pl:igut Ml.lines atT amongst the molt tttrifying and ttltndcss of Nwglic's tcrv:ana.. uncbunct'd in the r... of dcuh and h«dlcss o( all ""' the ..... ~g """"""' Thcv ""'I' ....... J1nd \tfC!f : ns are cwacd in fild\ pus. Md other fou lness, ..tuk roctiog org:.ans bum from rmts in thtir disk:nded fornu, and tcc:ming hordes of insects burrow beneath their pallid. leprous Oe1>h. Such is the extent of the decny th:u wrnck.1 their d iseased frames chat cheis c rumbling t1rmoor has long sin« (used with the dtt'2'J'Cd Resh beneath, while chc vtty 2ir sutrounding chem is a cloying mWm:t o( dit.e:lSC. Yn. dapdt lhci< ghoul... dxsc watrion ~ far 6om dead.. lnscrad chc:y att living cmbodWmiso( the P""'.. ofcom.f>don and decay within sl living things.. s g.O o/ their fOul pxron
'Pf<>"""'•
' " rrrum for tbcJr dN>lioo
IO the pt0P1E>tion of his numcfOUS contagions and ~ Mo~. though many Ch:aos Spa.tt M..rincs may dcdiC:tlC thcmsdYcs to the Pl:igue Father's service, only those ttuly ._,,'On hy C)f his f.'lvour receive the dread(ul blc:ssingJ required 10 trnnsform them into a Plngue M11rine. 1\13ny rt«iVt' their abhom:-nt r~urs in eu:hangc (cw deplorable acts of adu.l;JtJCM'I or through pxa w ith powuf'ul pbgue .son:acD and ocher fuut tnv.111cs of Nurgl<. Od...cmbmc< th< P"i1 clcayouio(desp
or
.,..,r., """'"
cog<
their c:ncmits d is;solve into a dliscased mlll.1 o( liquc:6c
HO"Nnt:r, s Pbj:uc
~•arinc's
soie d nvc is the propsgation of h 11 m:ilevolcnt pattOn·s
pci"hltnC'CS,
ao h is alw;ays this 1ncJCor:iblc purpolic: to which hd rocnng mind rct\.lms.
PLAGUE MARINES IN THE VORTEX Plague 1\1arint'S 3rc 3ntong the most rC"\'ohrng and vile of the Ch.aos Sp
v.•rctched and polluted throngs. The following art examples of these rcpolsive Traitor Space 1\1.arines from wit hin the Screaming Vortex --and theit dcspic:i.ble practices .o f pestilt'nce and w icked devotion. Cc:nninatori.s: One o f the most viral positions
within the Adcptus Astartes is-that of the Apothecary, a w
1
ETERAN OF THE
LONG WAR 'T/i< F.mpm>r is d
S
i.nee the dark days of the Horus Heresy, rile lmpcrium
has endured innumernblc au:.icks from t he forces o( the dreaded Chaos Space ~tarincs. Yet a mong these Traitor Legions, the« are those for whom the pttpttual w.ar to destroy the False Emperor's r<'3lm has become an a.II-consuming madness. These :are the most dangerous of
the lmperium's foes, many of whom tventoilty make their way to the tuJbulcnt Screaming Vortex, either <'IS part of a grand design or due to the mysterioos madlinations of the \\'arp. O thers ar.c forged w ithin the confiicts that smoulder
cc3S<'lcssly wi1hin and around the Vortex itsc.lf, their $ingul3r lutred o f their foanc.r masters driving them to lash out at both (mpcrial and Chaos devotees with equ31Jy savage aggr<'ssion.
PLAYING A VETERAN OF THE L ONG WAR Vetcrnns of the Long \Var are highly .skilled and lethal \\•aniors whMC sole motivation is their undying hatred fo r the lmperium -of i\1110.. Thr potcn ti~ cattl}'StS for such animosity arc legion, r.anging from recent injustices and schisms to the chaotic nftcnnath of the infamous Horus Heresy itself., M:any an no longtr C'\'t'n 'eo[I the impetus behind their unremitting malic as the innumerable horrors of trafficking with Daemons and other fouJ \Varp spawn h21<'C complete!)· shana cd their debas<'d minds. For othets che fickJe ruturc of time within the lmmau:rium makes the pas.sage. of whole aeons entirely sti.bJecti\"C :and ~res their unbearable scorn loses none of its intensit)• over the centuries. Jn :addicion to the corrupt legacy of the False Emperor. the: Velrrnns of the long \Vu hold further animosity for their loy.iBst cou.nt<'rparts: the Adeptus . Amrtcs. On 1he surface, such abhorn-nce may result from any numbc:r- of occurrences, yet there is often a darker side to their malin";i an intensity borne of individual sdf·loathingand the subconscious knowkdgeoftheir own eternal dam.nation. Such emotions fest« like rancourous wounds within lhc minds of these tc:rriblc "'3rrio~ while their nevcr
Concepts such ~s honour md rei;tminl a1ccntin:ly 2ncilliry to these corrupt combamnts, :and no Daemon is too Vile, no p~ct too despentc, and no knQwkdge too terribk.oto dissuade them in their 3bho1Tcnt intention~he utter destruction of the lmperium of tvtankind and the tocil ruinacion ofitsworlaf Despite the dangers associ3ted wit h these singl:c-'"inindod killers. numerous Yo,':lrlords and raidets \\'ithin the Screaming Vonex are eager to enJist the aid of such veteran war.rior1. Those \\'ho man3gc t·o rein in their tenacioos charges a~ often able to tc;\lp t he tremend ous benefits of their centuries of t:ictical insight, comb:u ex:penise,. and sheer bloody· minded determination. Ho\\'Cver, C\•cry leader must aJways be cautious not to hinder the Veu:r:i.n's endleu quest for ~nge:ance. for to do so invites the wrath ofthcscetcmally vengeful 6ends.
VETERANS OF THE LONG WAR IN THE VORTEX focw Chaos Space Mlr.incs arc w
'"''Prionally doll!rmino
Reflections of Tor:n1en1: Throug_hout the 1mpcrium's \\'ar-torn histories 11re coundcss legc-nds of vanished ships ::ind hosts of v•!ltriors lost to the hazards of\Varp travel. Ho"''t'\'Ct, not all thus lost h:i-d the- good fortune (O die. Some instead wander the Empyrc:an for time out of mind, their pliysical forms :i.nd ancient v.·argcar uucrly transformecf and entirely corrupted by djm:t exposore to the malefic inOuencc of ihe 3ether. Bene:ath these \\'aniors' gibbering madn~ lies a single decipherable motiVlltion: a dcspc'!";ttC and inescapable des.i ~ to \\Teak vcngc:u:ice opon the Emperor that abandoned the.m 3nd kept rhem so ignorant of the rrue po\\.'Cr of tm.e Warp. The Chosen of Heiros: These s:t
'o
mJ.kt them 1 tru!y mtnilcing foe. The Sbanls of Enmity. The so-cilled St..rds of
Enmity
hcrctial Adept.us Purgarus fo lbwing the .wbjug:ttion of Catacgis CV. Though n combined Spact' 1\1arinc fiect .subscCJlcntly nussacrcd the cnti.rc expcditiol'l3ry force, 't\i'lat 3CtU3lly trnrupimf once 1mpt'fial forces pcnecrntcd the: Ca\
1he remnants of
3
Astart~ Chapter th3Lwas declared
WAR'PSffiITH ·a.""filib .i,,
"-«amd= ..... 1o..........-. .
tfJ, "'-fill-'
MM dit..,,,.,,. """ 71lr ......""'" - still, -Ex-cc-rpt from the Slltcmcnl of Corpora) Vegrandur, prior l-o his cxm.1ion Dereliction of Duty
ror
m
any y.•arbands make e.Jtl('n•lvt use of the infamous Chaos Warpsmith• who llbaur cc.11.selcssly within the scattered \V11rp forges 'llnd towering Ch3os Foo.ndrics of the Scruming Vonex. These nucabtt
mcullurgisu h:ir1."C begun to 1url'xc i.n r1er inacasjng numbcn as lhc -Vortex's inhabhants ~ ntr mott bnun
in th.cit wanton attada llfliRlt the CotJ-t..God's dom3in Yet th~ hcanJcss iod.ividU1ib '" noc be uusted. for me onty ~tining 2mbitioa wChm exh o( lhc1r medunical nUnds is th.t alttlltina:rion of tht: f:raihics of hununiry.
'°
W.atptmiths :ttt m:tSU"r artisans a:od ptoncen tn tht- and .....,......... ... of~ often boostU.C •
dcpchoO-l
o( Ilic" ~
~10J1 W:upsmiths :trc highfy pr.igmatie wh"n u comes to inccndine with tht VJrious w.arlords and Ot~r m.ilign ~rs o( the Scn:aming Vocux, ofi:co formine atliincct no(
out of JOmC" m.ispbca:I s.ensc o_f ~l'f, buc nchcr as • "",.,.. 10 !he• - · pro{.ur agcod&. Othcn hold IM) pc
"°'"°"'
o( dlJOS u
1hc use of bionics and other 1non: dcviou5 cnhancc:mcnts to rid 1hcmseJl.'CS o ( the frailties of the (rt;S:h, They arc powerful Jtl"lr.tnts of lhc ruinous paYl'CU who ( rcquendy SCl"o't: their malnolmt patrons through !he cn::tcion cl horr;6c engines of "'':Ir and the .maintcnana ol the vchicks and wqnr cl the ccnupc T,.;,.,, Lepm t.'°5:1 tnec their origins to the en.pt.Xie pnmhood of Abo, cilha- ih'°"gh
°' •
of,.,,,,.
w. •
Lttlc """" !nm ...i """'' oo.d howcd w;di;n •
°""""'""''
consirua ltlC1!Dling lhc lmifying
ma Olaos Sp;tce ~4arinc. ,...1:tny :l:ft' 3Jso quilt fond o( ......... 01her, less subllc .cnhanccmcnll. (rcquen1ly sponiog numerous mttlutmdtils tipped y.·jth ~"'P;"i JM"'"' dows. shewing o:fu,nbl:tdc., fusion bbs
...nk-mindcd Jnd 6Jwcd lix>b
"""""hy of dlCir
coopcmion HO'Wl"\U, dlosc Vt'ariords able co ICCUtt the aid of crcatherous indi\•iduals often 6nd their cxnotdin1ry tc
mcsc
PLAYING AWARPSJllTIH Warpsmiths art' Chao.s Space M:trines who h3Ve t'mbracc:d
M•rin< """""'I"' Y
•nd ....,;"I -..Ofog)4 a W:upsmoih ,.,_ 10 <0m>pc >nd wbj1.1ipce ic. M'&Sling the saaod fonm and (unc'bOftS of their capliYc rn3Chinc:s ro fit I.heir own twisted des1giu. o~r tmong l.hdc •re 1hc infamous Daemon Engines of Chaot. 1.ncluding the dre:tdcd 1'1aulcrficnds, Forgt6cnds, a11d ocher unholy fusions or sorcery and technology chat plague the ln1pctium.
WARPSMITHS IN THE VORTEX The Lc-gions of Chaos harbour many abominations and nightm11rish W2r nuchines within their ran~ and the warriors of the Screaming VOrtcx arc no-
exception. Such monst_rosities o(teo: owe their genesis to the e nigmatic and inhuman \Varpsmiths ,..,,.hose efforts to usurp lhe rc.;ilm of ma111 \vith unholy flesh and steel strain the limits of sanity and leave little doobt :r.s to t heir true deyotions._ The following arc examples of £he numcro
the remn~nts of captured V<'hicles, f3llcn comr.id~ and other salvaged scrap in order to f:ibricate disturbing new engines of destruction. Tabunac.I<' of Decay: Within che VG«<'X- lurks 3n insidious fattjon of W3.rpsmiths that takes immense joy in unleashing terrify-ing combinations of pl.agueriddkd Oesh and stcil upon those yet to experience the \\·ondcts of deary: They are dn:adfu] upP3ririons of ox-idin tion and filth, thti1 bodies concealed beneath moth-eaten robes and their cvety slimc-CO\
inhumoin maste:ts, relentlessly marching fol'\'t•ard with unn.atural spasms of im'Olont3rily :i.nima1ion u their manic cackling and occasional picas for deliver3nc< ring out :teross the battlefield.
1
WRITHING WORLD SORCERER-KING Jn its 1/«p/icrry 1~ is purpo~ in jiltlt, thm is potm.Jial Wb.tt tbt rjNMW 01/l wnnirr an: in fact. 1/)r 1111pf.dcoblr hO'akk ofino:orablc ti«llJ.' 'ObJtny r/x squrmiing magrfA.
- t 17th canto of the Forbidckn Tre:1tises of Memniyth
0
M of chc most d.ISlurbini' loc:3lions .,.ithio the Sanmiog Vonr::x b the \\'rithil'lg \\'orid, a pbncc whose primitiYc: hunun i.nhJbh;ana wmdcr unicbt cont.d'llCnt-siud tmdrik o( unduS.idg Resh beneath the rnrtclk:ss rule of chc- gn:-.11 8 .om1nett Lon:k The most powesfu1 such denizens an: the Sottel'Cf·KingJoi. potent psykcrs ""'hose massi"'C citJdeb. scurry endlculy across the pl:anet's surf3cc al theit- rn:1stet's bidding,. Occasionally one o f these powerful i.nd i\tidu:als will d epart this decaying world , bartering passage among the VJrious vcssc=ls that tr.1,,.ene the ~dless \'Cid . Though thcit tC'JSOns fot these joutnC)'S ltt cMir own, thclr cons.Wct:1blc ~ and :1rc:1.nc lorcm:1kt chem powerful allies dcsphe 1hc :IPP'lrmt danger of h.ubooring such vile wrrtchc::&.
PLAYING A WRITHING W oRLD ORCERER- K.!NG Every \Vrithing \Vorld
Sorcerer-King is a highly •k;Jlod and le2rncd sorcerer who h:is dedicated his life 10 1h.c: p;1rh o f d ccay :t:s wdl :t:s otber p
and
forbidden
lorc.
J.\os:t llt t off--'Oddcn who hJOoT ;oumcycd to thtJ pandix of
death and rebirth com m\J~ with the
to
expand chcir nccromanti.: abilities and
Pl.ague Fathef. \\'hJle others :trc indigenous hui;kmen \\ hosc profane ps)'chic abilities !Oel them :l.p-2rt from 1hcir tribal brethren. Like the planet on which they dl.\•ell, \\'rithing \\'orld Sorcerer-Kings arc- infested with countless worms, maggo~ and other wretched vermin whidi \\'C:l\'e :ind burrow 1hroC1ghou1 skin and m~c. Th.s molting dispby of COCTllption is actuaUy the Sorccttr·K;nes' OWl'l doing. as such ett:rrutts allow thc:i.r hc.t a grc-attt dcettc ofconuol O't t mcubbsphnnous disdpllncs "i>•k octing aa foci for ch< unholy cnugiu th:l:t coime thlOtilgh the liOtttrtt's twisted bodf The most powcrl'ul such DCc."rotnanccn arc Mn:ly ho.man. 1Mir tagged bodies bursting v.11h countless bloatc-d • 1nsem th.Jr writhe amidsc the dcr2ycd remnants of 1helr flyblown flesh. 1
A$ ch< l.onl of RD• Nu
(D-
syn>plC!ly .. .m ch< auny !:"'""I"' ""' i dom,;,,. ch
N.
The m0$1 remarkable examples arc the gre:u mtwlin& ciudcls whose rippling edifices h e~ with the .same repulsi\'e lcndrilJ ch:u pc:cv.ide the Writh ing \\rorld ilx lf. Such m:1nifcst feJtt o f sortery :tre tcsumcnu. to 1hc skill and 1emptmments of their crc::itors, though most pa~ in coi:np:inton to tht ambulaioty butions of che dreaded 8'ominctr Lon:ls. R
"""!'<'"'""
MOil Sotmcr-Kingi $p
or roaming the pbnct "s air6cc: in insights into lhe n1yacnous origins Others instead seek U> further refine they might gain the ancntion o f the pov.'C tful Hiomuncc:r lords in chc: hopes of cwnt\lnlly ruling I.heir hcrcticnl btc:thrc:n, or p«haps even •prc:adln& chc:ir noxious inftuc:nce 10 uncJlntcd, new wottds. A vicktius fev. C'Yt'n chooM 10 ptcy on each other for ch< pow« ch
thcit
wonn~infc:skd,
roit>ng. minds.
WRITHING WO RLD SORCERER-KIN GS IN THE VORTEX ~1ost
\Vtithing Worfd Sorcerer-Kings choose to pcnetr:ite the: noxious :itmospherc of this: disturbingly corrupt planet, an'CI m.nny c:vtn tu~dlychosc: 10 depart it :iguin. Their rc:,asons for doing- so arc as .,-aried us the indi..,iduals themselves, yet ea
earned them infamy i.hroughoot the Sacaming \'ottcx. Crubcn th~ Lord of rhc Skies: The seemingly ~n dlcss throngs of bottle Oics chat CO'\'Cr the skies of the \\'r:ithing \\'orld wilh intriguing patterns und m"irl.ing .manifestations of disturbing logic hold a_ peailiar fascfnation to Nurgk's annointed. Within the Vortex, no one is more knO\\•lc:dgcablc: -about such displ.lys c-han Grubcnth, whOSC' insane, incessant mumblings Sttm eerily n:'minisccnt of the low droning of those: mas.sh'C S1-v:ums. His bloated body and multi-winged stronghold host thousands of the squinning maggots that minoc in these cnthrnlljng formations, supposedly allowing him to tap into the otherworldly'Consciousn
J.t.aeb King Htsphtrub!
Hesph~msh
~
•
cantankerous necromancer whose vicious, ficshy parasites consume the bodic:sofhis victims 3nd absorb their kpowledgc for his own nefarious g•ins. His writhing citadel tCS<'mblcs a hydra o( ancic:nt legend with numerous palis:acks each ending in a massive undulating m3'N.. These rerocioos orifices h.nvc unique n1et.hods of digesting thci:t victims; from necrotic bile, to gre:it clamping mandibles, to endless ro\vs of tiny rc:ciprocacing dend rites. Once his pn:y is devoured and every ounce of nutrient extr3dcd, its memories 11.te eocapsulatt'd into tiny lal'.\':te chat slowly burrow deep inside the Sorcettr·King's rotting cortex-.
DEATH 'PRIEST OF illIRE "Aft"dismlxnvrlling Sey.rant M•ltrx, th= thingsft/Ion bim /fir '"""""" h!x1Jfds, t!Jdrftkhy 6'mls tt•ring bf°* c/]unJ:s ofP<«Jfaim bis rointdgut. la.Tl/ nor mil thm mm; mm dMI <1U lilx thitt. • -Cener.d i\1ortsWain's person3J account following the pacification of the Degradant Uprising ~
O
f the various vrorids \\'ithin the SaCln1ing Vort!'x that exhibit signs of No.rgle's pestiknt . . -
3S
touch, few :l.te as prominent chc barren nnd blighted pbnct of
Mire. Hen: lh< llqualid dcnizrns forngt nimlcssty amidst endless foetid pools of fes.ttring muck and decaying veger:ition, thc:ir dise::tscd bodies enduring solely due to Nurglc's unnab.ltal ministrations. Pt-rhaps the most dangcrot1S of these are the socalJed [)e3th Priests who prey upon 'heir felJcw: Mircn.-. in order lo perprtuntc their djsguuing adulation of the
Pbgue God's-bounrifuJ comiption.s.
Thes<: fecolent w3rri0ts art" highly prized within the debased warOOnds of the Screaming Vortex, and many opportunistic s lavers exploit their
inf.amous enthusiasm for sbughter b~· luring these wr:icious killers olf·world with promisesoflfresh carcasses to consumt:.
PLAYING A DEATH
PRIEST OF MIRE Death Priests or Mite arc hardy \V3rriots -who feed on U1e bodies of their victims in order to nourish che parasites, dise.iscs, and other foul poxes tt:h.it w rithe in rhcir bloakd guts. They bclieo;,'t' these nfllictions to be a bb.ing liom cht Pbguc Falhor. On Mire, !hey SC<'. it as their un.hol~· duty lo htmt down the ~ called "Pyrions"-
bear wimess to the exrent of their ftty$ical corruption. l.illt many of Nurgle's sciv.tnts, they arc coated in 61th. both from their own diseases and their mud
DEATH PRIESTS OF MIREINTHEVORTEX Death Priests of Mire arc 1.1o-cll suited to IJfe v..•ithin the Sctcaming \'ottex, oftenC3rning a fearsome reputation as vicious and accompli.Ulcd kiJlers .despite t:hcir savage origins. For thOISC: who suf"llive lhis transition, the Vorra is ® endless 3nd enticing smorgasbord of corrupt sustenance, its every morsel oozing 1.••ith
untapped potential for gJ.ngrcnous new life. The foUowing are vile ex3mplcs of Death Priests whose -abhoncn t practices r.lnk them among the most revolting of the Vortex's denizens. ~c Brood Kine: Long ago. s p.ack of Death Priests di.scovertd a swann of Nurglin.gs fro licking inside a disease-infested mud p it white wandering the squalid wastes of 1\<1i:re.. Upon beholding these creatures, they immediatc:Jy turned on each other, hacking thcir companions apart in order to entice the Dae,mons w ith offerings of rancilCI meaL The survivors are now hosls for this repugnant clutch of spitcfu] imps, housing them within their fihh-lined bowels in order to ensu1e their ronrinuod sustenance. CaJorracts: fey.• of the Death Priests tlhat bra\'e the .sunken. mouldering sw:amps of t.iire's crumbling C3\'C" system ever return, most falling victim to ancient toxins and other foul hazards \vithin that accursed darkness. Those \\•ho do cmcrge a.re gready feared among t he cannibal lords of Mire, fo1' each is bursting "'·ith maladies so potent that only lhe most blcssc.-d cf rhe Plague lord's ~r..,an ts can sutvi''e in their presence. They att nearly impossible to ki:IJ, often bearing scores of seemingly debilitating •.1rouods which neither hinder nor heal as they rclenthly stalk their prey w ith sunken, yelJoy,• eyes. T he Slavering Synpc-scuJent: The Corpse Rcapcrsare a terriJ)•ing warband within the Scrcsming Vortex known for their brut31 roid.s :ind the mounds ofdead and mutiJated left in the it wake. The original members \\'ere h:irveste.d from Mire by 3 patticubrly ruthless pirate v.•arlorcf who now aUo""'·s his c.apti\'e Death Priests free ~ign over 11ny survivors- of their r.ijds in exchange for the skulls of the slain. t\1eanwhilc, the unfortunate captives arc compelled to join i.n a ~'-o l ting_ feast that lasts fo r sc,
1
lf>LA GUEIDEISTER.
TABLE 2- 1, BoONS OF l'HF. f>LAGLIE GOL1
ld t O Roll Effo:r Thedt.toctcrdt~\'bps
~vay biological sy·stc:m
is pron< tofaihut d.nd rwnn1.:tl crss.:ttiM: .such is tbtfir~ ofts.flflab. I, /.KtN.l()U. cksin: d mud) more intr{i:uing co11dusionfrom 11tch wupoilt sptcimms..; -Sealed 0-ata, from Obsm'
T
erot~ue,
aeuh(fk's and comfon.
' 6
7
8 9 10
PLAYING A PLAGUEMBISTER Plagucnu:istets arc gruesome and Rl3cabtt: physicians '"'hose unnatural fascinati on \vith rhe many manifest.tlions of Nurgfe de6n.cs and dominates ~ry facet of their blasphcmoos lifesry&e. They aire among his most devoted scrv.tn~ eagerly examining all manner of virulenl maJadits in order to identify rvt'ry manifestation of Nurgie's bfC'ssingi.. That such creations 3.re continuously evolving into mon: virulent forms is a source of n:pellent delight to these dem~nted apothccari~ Who enthusia.stially record each new symptom and str.i.in. Plagucmcistcrs bdieo.t that Nurgle's greatest :tCh icvrolCnt is not death, but rn.-ther lhe putrescent afflictions chat presm1c ~ his SM>>ants in -a .state of dc-.uh.less entroP)o'. Most hold 5'Jeh ~ gruesome processes and neootic microbes in high n:gard, fe1'l•endy placnting themselves bc-IOre the Pbguc: lord so that he may grant them nC\\' spxitTIC'ns to study and dissect. Of panicubr in~ an: individu.als that h.1vc surrendered thcmsc Ives to Nurglc 's malcd'.icti~ and many Pl-Jgllemtiucts take great joy colkct-jng rancid specimens fiom these dccayingser.•ants.. Plaguemeistet:Sstrivc to emulate- their pestilent patron in thc-ir endeavours; gleefully blending their collections of poxes and contagions in ordct to create deadly, ney.· illnesses
1hroogh which to .spread Nurglc's insidiOIJ> influence. Solllt' :ue devious and subtle in their approach, oftc-n tclying on 1nisdirtttion and other nefarious: t:ictics to gradually inoculate entire populations with dC'3dly maladies designc.d co being about deC!ldes of ~ffering and despair. A daring few ate mudi more reckless in their dt"'
noxious bl'.\'$. \\'bile>
lflal' are hannlm, tXct>pt to
Thoe.cfl:1r.K1cr recorn~ infec1cd '-"·i•h the. Oei1h'1Gnsp01sea~ l'.sce p.12c 46). The ch:uacter beco1nes {ofected with lhe
Enfeeblt: 01sease (see pi~ 46)_ Roll ld{O-~in. On a result of7, 1hc character bocomes ~..,;ed by 3 Pla;::ueh..·-.u~c of..'4ul"l!k (see Possessed Hctetics on~ )6). On .111y a:her re.suit. permanendy incn:as.c !he dl.:rxt.:r s TOJj:?hOi'SS Chantctcf'b':tic by ldrl (mi!l;mum Oj The dlaracter becomes Infected v.i1h the 1'\irute's Brellb Dise:lse (r.ce ~ 47).
The cflJrxier OOcomes inf&lVd v.11h lhc Fe-.srenne- Shroud Disease. (k"t pJg-c 47). The ch:macr e:;tl_!U lhe Tax.IC (7) Tr.tJi fur 1 lnirs.
PLAGUEMEISTERS IN THE VORTEX Pl.:tguemeistc1s within the Sc.naming Vortex -arc
se.ldom idle, often spending their rime_incess:andy probing the specocubtly gruesome man.ifcstntions of pcsdlcnce which seem so 11bund3nt wi_thin this ch3otic sector. Such studies are a blight upon nearby Jmpcrial worlds, whose onsu.spccting poptil-aces often suffer and die i.n order to satisfy the mac3bre
fascination of these ghoolish fiends. The follov.•ing are examples of Pl-:iguemeisttrs \\those mocbid interest in disease: h:u m:1dc them obj~ o( revulsion and fear within t he lmpcrium.
PJague Mot.her Scpthrix: Sc-phari.a Tounindc w:is once a tigu1e of great renown within the various medit::al circles th:it cater to the lavish decadence of
the fmperiaJ Aristocr.M:)t Yet t i her influence grc\\\ so too did the numbers of em3ci:atcd sycophants who spread her gh:asdy trcatmcnts a.nd heretical
rcjuvcn-ant.techniqucs. The fnllout from her inevitable pccserution Y.'llS dt"Vastating. and OO\\' she roams the outer miches of the Scrcamjng Vortex, her corpulent OOik sprawling on a p:alanqoin of soi!.:d fine.ry set upon th e shouJders of her seven favourite ghouls. Rheu.malicae Surpctis.s: Rheom3licae is a p:u1icu.larly wicked chymist whose f:is::in.ation with the bonds of addiction h3.S allowed .him to reap a horrendous t21ly of oouls in .Nurgle•s narm. His diseases '3tt incredibly subde in nature, often taking decades to slowly dissolve their \•ictims from \vithin, y,·hile the \•arioos stimulants and narcotics v.1iich flow through the victims' bloodsttc30l inurc- them to the pnin of their chronic conditiont E\-cntuatly, ns the necrotic toxins take their toll, R heti.malicac begins their indoctrination in the v.•ays of his vile: pm-on with promises of eternal freedom from the tonncnts of their rotting frames._ The Forlorn Hopt: Medicae Cruisers :ire common within the Oe~rtmento Manitorum1 ofien soc-ing e:xtensh·e service during the m.any brutal offciuivc-s perpcu:ued in the Emperol's name. The For/om H~ v.-as o ne such vessel; hoy,·evcr, its massi\'C' surgery the.ams and pristine- ;ipothecarioms •.1o:en:: swiftly a.•eJO\•hclmcd with conbgion following 3 cataclysmic brush with C h:aos tt'llegades. The v.Jii:un ere\\' fought dcspcr3tely ag..inst thii night.m11rish patho~n that crammed the ship's holds with t~e dead and dying, but they could not stem lhe impl:icablc tide of corruption, and soNu:rgle's champions won a ttrrib&c victory for their dread patron.
!
DECAYING
MIDOURY
-SThsll, Blipt Prince cf Nurgle
urgk w . .pons .,. tcmfyi•&
N
to
behold. Unlike the
shimmering "''Caponi o( Tteffltch, the cxctsSiYc
beauty of Slaanahi weapons or 1he simple brutality of Khornarc arms, Nutgle's bleuC'd \\'t.Jpons :arc blighted and 1nalfonntd implements or sheet horror. There is no misc:ak.ing their purpose the spread of dco.1h and rontagions in the name of the Plague Father. Their wielders •tt the reapers of a grim h.ltvest, :md put their f>"'ltOn JOd'• favoured instruments
This &«tion CO'tleD a number of 1«hnologiics and objecu """'l"ed and infused with the l"'md paw« cmoed by P.:"'rgk'.s Mlnhipcn within chc Voncx. Masi of the •upoos and 'tWrgt# found within d'w:x ptp td2lt' in some Wlt'f the Chaos Cod ~urgle-the Lo
'°
worlds \li.'ithin the \rortr:r -A-here Nutgk holds the most SW.J)<-
MELEE WEAPONS Wt2pons blesscc by Nurgle ofien appear n.s though ready to crumble or- break. Their decrepit forms bcHe their true.' lcchality. ho'N'C\'Cr: Even the slightest cut can bring death to thousands. rnfu.scd with plagues created \\'ithin the dcpchs of Nurgk's Carden, the Fly Lord$ \\'C3pons dispense infections
and maladfcs to tU those \\'ho rtfUS(' che Plague Father's gifts. Some of these 'Neapons a.tr Daemon \\'e3po~ which ntt' described on pag: l 94 of the Bua G.uSAoE Core Rulebook.
FATKBR OF BLADES (DAEMON WEAPON) Rumo4Jrtd to be me ortgln:d Plague Sv.'Ords crt::itcd not long
afitr Nurgle came into being.. the ancient Fathers of Blades h:s\'t spent 1ni1Jenni3 spreading corruption. Their mckc:d and rusted lengths de.ade.n tte Sit'nsesof those ncarby. and any y,•ho mistime: their swings find their att:lcks deflected otT its cOfl'Odc:d ed~. The Father o: Blad« is a one-h3ndcd Daemon Weopon "''ith \ViUpov.·u 77 3nd a B.inding Strength o f 4 . h has the Bile-~cnchcd, Pestilent Stench, and PL.ague Canier 2ttributes. \Vhen-:vcr the \\'ielde1 successfully P-arrics a fii1elec Att3ck made agtinst him and s.:ores 5 or more Degrees of Su.:e
MANREAPER (DAEMON W.EAPoN) Iconic v.·eapons cfNurgle's greatest champio~ i\iann:apen :ire the Daemon·infuscd ~lies of the Death Cu.ird l ceion. M:iny Pl.:iguc Cults go IO great lengths to acquire or cvtn forge their own, and the Da:mons chat inhabit these cruel wCJpons draw poY.-cr from the filth s1.11rounding the Plague God's throne:. A Ma.nrcapcr is a t\\<0-h01ndcd Daemon \\'capon with \\'ilJpov.-er 57 and a 9indjng Stn.:ngth of 3. ft h~ the AccutsC'd -and Herald of [):.cay attributes. \\'hcnever the wielder makes 3 Cb:irgt AU-Out Attack ~lion v.•ilh a Manreapci;. he may in£lict a single hi1 idcntial to the fust on Ol1C' GdditionaJ tirgct in range for evt.rf two DcgrtCS of Su.:ccss he scores on the Tcst aficr the first A Best O:ifismanship Mann-aper also h~ the F0«e ~aJi~ Onlythmedcdic3.ted to Nurgk can wield a Manrrapcr..
PANDEMIC STAFF (D AEMON WEAPON) A mJros.covtn-d length of rotting Y.'OOd and rusting metal the Pandemic Staff constantly seeps bile and other horrific subt::ances. Acting ~ a vessd for some of Nurglc/s most viru..cnt plagues, che P..indcmic Staff unleashes a tortent of filth toward :any who y,·ould deny the Ry Lord's perfection. A Pandemic StatT is a two·handed Daemon \VC3pon with \Vil\x>....·er 14 and a Binding Strength of 2. It has the Strtam of Corruption attribute. Only those dcdic:ited to Norglc on wield -a Pandemic S1aff.
PrAr.TJR Kmi:R Seen in the h:inds of dreaded Pl3guc Marines, the Pbgue Knife is a long, thjn bl01de cnkcd \\'ilh grime ond dripping \\'id: disease. Sm:ill cots can tr:lnsform into raging infcctiJns wid:in seconds, and the blade can fell C\•en the largest of crea:urcs with :i single swipe. A Plague Knife is a one·handed Legion \Veapon.
PESTILENT FLAIL Part censer, part ....·capon, the Pestilent Fl-ail spreads contagion it sails through thc11it, a thick green cloud follov.•ing etdi strike. Anyone trained in the wc:ipon's use arc true monsters In close quartets, ablt co q\Jickly kill whilst masking their mo,'<.'ments \\'ith the haze that emanates from the weapon. \Vhencver a Hereti.: makes a Mclee Attack with a Pcsti cnt A01i~ he gajns a+ lO bonus to Dodge Tests until the erul of his llC'Xt Tt1rn. Any Heretic not d
°'
TAllLF 2- 2, Exo llC mELEE W FA PONS Name F.lther o-f BIJJes+
PJndemic Staff IM<,«) P.1ndem..: St:i!T
Cf:iss Mclee
Range
Da n1agc 2d lO+J R
Pen
Mclee
ld 10+7 R
7
Mclee
ldlO+l I
0
ld iO+H
0
ldlO R
2
2d 10+6 E
4
30m
1J"•7t "1i;s .1Jdit1•Jr.~/ roh"r. See,fulf role for mort.dn111ls.
4
Special Toxic (7). Unbalanced Felling (5). Po..,.·er Field, Toxk (2), Unbalanced B•lanccd, D=y (4), Toxk (l) Corrosi\'C, Recharge. Spr.iy, Toxic (3) Felling (4). Toxic (l) Con.:ussi\'~ ( 1>. flexible, Un\\•iefdy
Wt. 7kg
Availability Ne;ar Unique
8kg
Near Unique
4kg
Near Unique
4kg
N~ar
2kg
Extn-mety R:in:
okg
t.xtre1n<:1y R:irc
Unique
Name
Class
Range
RoF
Danl:tge
Pen
Special
W1.
Availabj licy
Fou!swarm Grcnadct
ThrO\\'Q
SBxl
SI-I-
2d l0 x
6
Blast (3), Corrosive, Smoke (6), Toxk (l)
1.Skg
E:xtrCO)cl~· R:irc
R3d Grcna,de ThrO\\'O Rad ~1issile
SBxJ
i
SI-/-
0 ldl.O E Jdl0+4 E l This Ji:
Bl3st (2). lrt:td iated {2) Blasi (4), lrradiaicd {4)
t kg
V'"cry R.trc
lk&
Extremely RJtc
GRENADES
SPECIAL AMMUNITION
Those that ha\'t'
Thesc- ammunition types arc obtained in full clips and nbt
many diffettnt ways co spread the Plague F:lthc?s gifts. The Blight Grenade i.s pcrlups the most \\'CUknown, but there arc many devices mpablc of sarornting :in area w ith toxins as well
individually unleu otherwise noted.
as ancient to:hnologics that sprtad death slowly and f'"infully.
Made in .small quantities o n :a h10dful of Screaming Vortex worlds, die Bloodtot Round contlins a few drops of the same noxious brew that fills Fouls\\•ann CrcnadC'S.. Hand-loaded into Heavy Bolter; thesc. 1ouad.s decimate d umps of enemy infantry and render areas 'oo d :angero
Four.swARM GRE.'IADE h lethal to create :as they are to use, Foulswarm Grenades contain a foul concoction \\'hose cruc natu.re is known only to the most pox-blessed Plaguemcisters ofdie Screaming \'01tcx. Scaled w ith wicked alchemy :Jnd fell curses of rot, t hese weapons produce an acrid, seething haze upon detonation that d rifts outwsrd like a rave.nous cloud of flies, inexorably enveloping and putrefying everything it touches. \Vhcncver a c-.1eattirc be.gins its Turn in t he clood of smoke crc.:ited by the Smoke ~ality of a Fouls\\•arm Grenade_ it suffers a single automatic hit duu inflicts 2d 10 lmp-.ict Damage w ith th~ Corrosive and Toxic (3) QyaJjtics.
RAD GRENADE Difficult to find and manuf3Cture, Rad Grenades contain tiny radioactive ,p-.irticlcs that blink out of existence v..ithin a second of exposatre to air. Despite the short duration effects, the cellular ruination t hey cause is often enough to leiive the toughest of foes gasping .as radiation saps their \•iulity.
RAD MISSILE Similar ro R.ad Cre:na.dcs, Rad (l.iissiles sptt':td their lerhal cargo O\'Cr a wid!e.r area.
B LOODROT R OUNDS
Smoke Iq, Toxk i>D. \Vhenc"
SCOURGE SHELIS Scourge Shells have many niimcs across the Screaming Vonex-Tox Slogs, V-Round:s. .and so on-but aU \'3.dant:s. reain similar methods of conscnu:tion 3nd use~ Srourgt: Shells are hollo\\', allowing their users ( 0 fill them with V.lriOttS toxic concoctions. Shotguns using Scourgt S hells lose the Scatter Quality, but increase their Pendration by 2 and gJin the Rnor Sharp OJ:!ality. Additionally, n Heretic may load a dip of Sccurg'! Shells w ith any Disca.sc or toxjn he h3s on hand 11s 3 Full Action by making 3 Ro uti ne (+ 20) Mcdicae Test (using the Chem-Use Special Use or the SkW). lf he sucettds, .any character who suffers D:unagc from the Scourgt ShcU a.lso suffers any effcccs of the Disease or poison planted in it
TABLE 2- 4, SVECIAL A llllllUNITIQN Name
Bloodrot Rounds Scourge
Shells
Can Upgrade Heavy Bolter, Legion He:rry Bohc-r Assault Shocguns, legion Sho1guns. Shotguns
Availability Extremely R>rc
TABLE 2- s, CYllERNEl"IC HOR.R.OR.> N3mC
..\vailabil ity
WC'apon Profi le
Dendrite Bl.adc+ Rare Melcc; 1d lo+4 R; Pen 3; AcxibJc. Ramc Shacpi\!cch.:itcndtilt Very R:irC' Mclee: 1d I-0T5 I; P-cn O; Rexible Pbgu:c Claw Extrcmc:ly Rare Mel«; tdl0+2 l; Pen 2; Decay (J), Tearing .!..A IJ~ra1.: c,u1 or.ry Qct)'t a r.;.1n:ba OJ- Dmdn·;e 8/1$da a!fd! or 1'd«/)J.tmdrils up tCl bis Tougbnrss &.•:;1s.
MECHATENDRIL E.qu:tJ ~rts tool and weapon, Mechatendrils sMke restlessly around Herc.teks and Warpsmiths as they seek oot new tasks to complete. Used for complex reP3irs as we-JI ~ combai, the \'Ctsatilil)• of the Me
•n >ddinoMI +5 bonus on Cmfting Skill T..,. (st't'. p>ge. 92 of the BucK CRUSADE Core Rulebook). A Hcn:tic most h:l\'C the Mcchadendritc Use (Utility) Talent to gain th is benefit.
Additionally, :1. Heretic with one or more 1\.1.cchatendrils afv.,.ays counts as being 3tmcd with a weapon \\'ith the lisltd \Veapon Profile. He most have the M.:-chadendrite Usie (\\'capon) Talent to \\'iekl a htechatendril withoot penalty.
PLAGUECLAw
CYBERNETIC H ORRORS Cybcmctic impbnu are common throughout the g3laxy, but for th~ ~·ho serve the Rliinous Po\\'C'TS, bionic devices -an: more th:ln mere tools. Every sn.akclike tendril or snapping claw a \\rarpsmilh has fused into his mettllic fr:une ctn kil~ and few such de"o•ices rt"main unbloodied for long. The ftems bdo"• require-the f'.tccWanicus Jmplants Traits unless othct'Hise noted.
D ENDRITE BLADE A lethal ""''eapon thar s«ms: to act on its own \'Olition,
Dendrite BIJda: consist of many linked metallic coils each ending in a serrated bl3dc or wickedly sharp hook. They whip -:.round the bearer; almost as if seeking oul prey. Elch Dendrite Bl3dt: is a M«h3ckndritc. and a Heretic most h3VC the ~te
A rwisted fusion of rotting flesh and corroded machinery, a Pbg11e 03\\' I.lunches a pulsating tube: '''ith 3 barbed daw at the end that pti.nchcs chtough armour and Ot:sh and spews all manner of toxins directly into the t.1rgct's body. A Plague Cl3w grants a +10 bonus on i\1odkac: Testt fOf" ihe Diagnose and Chem-Use Special Uses of the SkiU, and can be used to ston: and hold samples of wrious plagues. toxiOSi- and other fou l concoctions pleasing to the Lord of Oisi:.asc. A Hen:ric: \\i th a Plague Claw :tl...,'3yscounts as being armed with :t wopon \\i th the listed \\'capon ProfiJe. This '''t':lpon can be bdcd with any Disease or toxin 3S a Full Action; until the end of the: enrounk':r, any chamctc:r ....+.o sulfm OJ.mage from it suffers the effects ofthe loaded mal:td~t Only a chmctt'r dedicated co Nu.rgle can wield a Plague Cbv.t A Heretic does :?fl~iilii;: not need to h:l\'IC' the 1\1cclunicus
fmpl:tnts Tr:Ut to have this cybernetic insulled.
ARGEARA ND EQUIPMEN T
DISEASES
thr wnpons of N..rgk. the tools and artcf
i\tOC'CIO dun.
~n
or
TAUL£ 2-6, WAR.GEAR. AND EQu1vmE;NT Name Weight Icon of Sttp;ng Deay 1~& Un&ead Heart I.Ska
Availab iliry V«y R.v. Uniqur
IcoN OF S EEPING D ECAY Oncc--proud banners. Ndcn, or othcf mighty totems of ftiith, the Icons o( S<:cpina Otc:uy h:ivc long since lost :any l'Cg<1I visage and instead drip wi1h the corruption of Nurgle, slowing those dl:at v.'OUkl stand :tgninat him and strengthening those that waJk the path of fihh. An Icon of S«ping Decay i.s a large Icon and must ejther be arrird in one hand or .:affix~ to
1hrtt b: no end to NurgltS ant.Mty whtn ''
DEATH 'S GRASP Viet1m•s unlOrturutt
°""""
(and ...... nuk mt Tat to n:sat ·~ Ir • _ , slip
lh<
• llwdy badtpod<. All charaacu a&ga
U'"°'*. o ca dlJC'
10 Nurgk "ithia a numb.=r
into
of mcms cqwl to th<
to cn:ftli~
Heretic's
\\'illpower
Bonu.1
count their Agi lity Bonus n.1
hig·her and may makt: ll Difficult (- fO) Toughness Tttc :1.t chest.In of c'lch of their Tums to ttmovt I level of Fatigue. All othtr ch~f'1l(tcr1 wich in th:u area count rhcir Af:iliry Bonus u I loWtt (so a minimum of I) and fl'M:t pus a Cholknging (+-0) Willpow
lc-Ytk
«
Fatigue
wbilie infmcd w,1h Lh.i Obcasc. hr perishes Ch:ar.i(tcrS dcd.ctltcd to Nurglc: can cany chis 0dtuc, but an still rclllOvc ~ Is of F:idguc u no011al v.·hile infected. Trcatmc:nt: Curlng Death's Crasp rcquirc:s consu.nt rest ror a lc:aA I Wttk. a l the end of v.'hich the du~nct l\Uy m.alc • Routin e (+20) Toug hncss Tc:sr; 1f he succttds. he •ccowe~ bot if he f;aih. he mn.&ans lokcard end gains I b.I or f,.;gu<.
ENFEEBLE U NDEAD
liEARr
Rotten to the co re, those impl11ntcd with an UndC3d Heart ltt:comc living m:wcs of corrupiion, As they suffer injury, nc"' affl ictions sprout to form ltycl'f of KJ1t-Ocsh, protecting the wearer from h3rm :and he:tlina almost any injury. A Htl't'tic implanted with s;uch tcrribk SOf'CC':r')' gains tM Rcgm
Enfeeble b a brutal nubdy thac slowly corrodes the vlcdm's bones into dust. M::iny of Nu'l{le•s ~t dC'diouC'd devoices injcc1 themscf\'tS '""'ith 1he virolcnc pbgue, srcing death u the ultimate expression or dcw>tion. Eff'cc:cs: A character jnfected by Enrrtble suffen ld5 A&ilicy Dam.age each time he ukes 1 Full Action or two Hair ktions during ooc of his Tums durin& Scn.ctumd I unc. or •'hax •<• he ukes SlllCRUOOS x.ttotl dufU21Z Svr-.al.ivr Time. Ctutxeers dcdicaaed lO Nurgle suffrr the dTttb of... llixasc .. nonnaJ, though !hey mdy • .,.. • ., ""'ITmng.· instead ~ll1og in the: wradtlng_atlltction Tre~tmcn t: To be- cured or Enfttbk, , c:batactcr .... r
NURGLE's BREATH
TABLE 2- 7, D ISEASES
Name Oc:ath's Crasp
A\•ail3bility
~O fO:-C'bA•
\'cry R:att: Rare
Festering Shroud Nu1glc·s Brc:ith
Rare Extrem(.'ly Rare
F ESTERING SHROUD Fcscn-1ng Shroud is an insidious blight first cncountem:I by voidship crc:v.•s entering the Lo\\'Cr Voncx.. E.xccptionalfy cont:agious,. those that contract the djsease 6od their bodies
converted into chimneys of pcstilrncc. sprtading a vile -mi:asma \vhere\•er they go. Effccu: Adt11r.tctcr infcctc<:I by Festering-Shroud constandy emiB nn unn:numl gm:n f(lg tlut sprta-ds 4l'OW1_ d him in ~ 7-mctrc
Som-c;times seen 3S a boon, Nurgle~s Breath is popular among m.any Pl:aguc Cults for its ability ro propagate quickly. Hov.·e..-er. those \\'ho understand the infe
EX'PANDED RITES AND RITUALS "11'< nhU! 1"" SIKaftitd! JfllL ....1 71' a -;,""'1ijist! F'i
he Rites and Ritu.ils proc:ntc:d in the Buc1t CRUSADE Cott Rulebook give :r. gcncl'lll OVttvk:w of how both the Ci\1 :tnd playcB can construct rinals to suit their own nteds, me ronsequmct'S o( r~.i1.1n:, and j number of example riuuh ustd to summon tht mott iconic Ch305 Daemons. This ltCtion cont1:ins Rituals for p=iinc living beings. npdttcd n.1.s fer binding Dxmons "' 0 . . - Enp.cs. 2nd th< mast m1unoo Pbgocbca1tt-.aimmoc11ng ritwl within ft Vonn.. The R;!U21s lisud below follow the """' fomw ., ,undlld Ritu1~ (!« p>gcs 228-229 o( th< Bua C.,W>E Con:: Rulebooki GMs c.n lnsen these R.itu.3b- jnto an ongoing ampaign :is
Duration: The Pl.igud>eattt rem.a.ins corporc:al for ld5+' ....,ck, pha .. .&l
T
Bu.c11: C9'uu.nn Core Ruleboc:ik) and inunc:di.1tc:ly apply the rcs:ultL Addllion:tlly. each ch:tractc:r- involved in the: ritu31 mwt pass a Ch11lltnging (+0) Toughness Test or gJin ldS lcvcls of f1C1gue. doubling cr.tt :and choking on the w:rvcs of smoe and douds o( l1Jcs dw xcompany If>< 0..-'s •tTMl The Pritt or F•ilu.te: Failwc «SU.Its in I roll fot Conrcmpc or the W.up (sec page in of the llucc c......oc C.... Ruld>ooti modified by TI 0 for
obslllclcs for the Hcn:tics, or :it the scan of an :idvc-nturc as ~rt r:I their
Hc:tecia thal ddU'C 1hc power of a Daemou Engine mu.st undertJke a dang«Ol.IS ritc:-thc Ritu.al of Binding-in ordtr to merge .a Oacmoak Eruiry wirh th.ctr ar
ComfX'd- Pbyc-B might wish lO '*one of thtse: Ritts aod Ri.twls 10 t:nh3ncc chcir own stand&ng. pundh me;, ......_ "' .;mply ID CIUS< m>ybcm ond dcsnuctioo. In al. ascs it ii i;ip to thr CM to drtcrn'liot: the
R•uofs difficulty ond whether 1hc Rjtu3' is possible ac all.
UNLEASH THE
I:oETID I:ooTMAN Pbgut Cults often su.mmon Pbgucbc:ln:rs to help them in the .sptt:tding of dis
RrruAL OF POSSESSION Daemons commonly enter th< matcri:al pbrn:- by possessing unfortunate humans against cheir will. Few Daemons ha\'C the .i.1rcngth to do it themselves, but many Chaos SC1V1Lnts actNely invitc Daemons into the materiaJ plane by offering host boc:Hes to ron(tol llrquittments: The Ritual of Possession actu:iUy mcompasscs 3 variety o f rituaJ types used to summon :ilmost any type of Daemon. Howe'-'Cf, rathct than direcdy calling -the Daemon into 'lhc materi:11I plane, the 1-lerctics ins.tcad draw it into 3 living vessehnot :alwa~"S human, but st least scntient~nd
the O:lemon uses the host body to sustain itself. Mu.:h like thc Rih1al of Binding, the Heretics must choose the type of Oa-cmon 'hey wish to -summon :and complete 1he .summ
summoned, 1hc Hcrc(ics e nact the Ritu:i.I o f Possession in place of the Daemonic M-astery Test by passing a Hard (--20) Forbidden Lore (Daeo1onol ogy) Tcs1, modified pc::t Table 6-7: Summoning Ritual Modifiers. If they succeed. the Hereria ch3nnel the Daemon into the host, but the Daemon must still bc:il the host v.-ith-an Opposed ChaJlengi ng (+-0) Willpower Test before the pcwession takes effect. UO\\•illing hosts gain a + 20 bonus to chis Test Effects: The Daemon posses:ses the host. Sec p3ge 56 for the more pctnl3ncnt effect ~h:it possession has on Pla~·cr Chararltts. O;acmonic possession aJfects NPCs 3S described in Duration '3nd Cost, below. Duration~ NPC hosts rnrcly suivi-..
FORGING DAEIDON ENGINES '"Lard Mit.!pv,s, the ritu11f is contpldt. The mac/);nes••• l/Jry btrai!Jt:! ~ - T:ikoojn, Atch-Herctck cross the vastness of lhe guJf bct\\'ec:n sta~ waa rage on millions of worlds. \\':irriors and n13chinC$ po'ver forth to crushing victories and punish.tog deftatS:. each brc3kthrough fuelled by the deaths of 'hoosands. Yet the forces of Chaos possess an advant:age 1inmntched &~· mofl21 :annie;s. unho ly fusions of fire and steel th:at stalk battlefields killing e\•erything in their path. Sorcery mer~ \\'ith lcchnology, Daemon Engines represent t he unfctkn:d power of the \Varp made manifest This section covers the cre3tion of Daemon Engines, including new 3ttributcs and Chaotic weapons. This section also cont3ins rules for Daemon Engine Minions (sec page SS).
A
CREATING THE SHELL Before 3 group of 1-lercrics try co summon 3 Daemonic entity, they first need a Shell co house t he creature. Daemon Engines come in \lllrious shapes and sizes, a nd even among the more frcquendy sctn Daemon Engifl<'s such 3S Defilers :and Forge.fiends, no two &It' exactly t1Jike. A.II merge with the c3gcd Daemon, allowing 3Spccts of the enmged bcas( to shine thtough the othef\visc: mundane metal cxte.rior. Prior to summonjng 3 Daemon, the Her.tries must create. purchase, or othciwisc: 3cquire n Shell, either an exisling machine such as a saf,'3gcd or stolen vchi<:lt or 3 specially crc:atcd prison for the Daemon. The search (01 a Shell should be a Comp:icc in and of itself (see 1he Buc1t C.ttusJ.oE Core Rulebook, pages 269-274). unless the Here.tics :1.lreJtdy'kno\\' of n suitable Shell \Vithin the Vortex, the \Yorlds Ghibelline, Cue·lph,
Lore IDil
Tht Shell influences a numbcJ o f the 03emon Engine's properties.: ..SbC"ll Type: Sh ells must be either S3tv:iged {such as a 1:1:nk., cransPQrt. or similar mundane design) or Constru.:ted (~th ing built to house a Daemon, such :is .-.n <'mpty Defiler Shell). Si,u: Shells must hav<' a Size Traj1of7- JO. M ovemen t; Oa.emon Engin.es move and :ic' lik<' any 0th.er unil both in-and out of combat, <'vtn if their Shell was once a vehicle. Differen t Shells provide d ifferenl benefilS, as folki\\'S: • Tracked Shells gain the Crawler Trait • Wheeled Shells gain the Sprint Talent. Aying er HOVlC'ring Shells gain the Flyer (X) or Hoverer (X) Tr.ait, \\'here X: equals the Daemon Engine's Agility Bonus muJtiplied by 4 . Shells with 4 ot more: legs g.ain the Q!adruped Tr.tiL b~
Dmnon EngJncs with only 1wo legs gain the Bru1al Charge (X) Tn it. where X cquaJs the Q3emon Engine's Agility Bonus. Weapons: Daemon Engines often develop ney,• and horrific weapons as p:in of the binding rituat bu! many Shells start wi1h inbttih "'c.'3,ponry. For 3 Salvaged Shell, an)' one Herc1ic _involved in the binding riMll may make a Challeng ing (+0) Tech Use Test; ifhe succeeds, one pn: existingweapon on the Shell becomes p:irt of the Daemon Engine's al'SC'na~ plus o ne additional weapon for every two Degrccs ofSuccess he scores beyond the 6rsl ff th<' Y.'C3pons wer.e built into a Constructed Shell aJteady. then they become part of the Daemon Engine's arsenal aotomatiieaUy. Da-cmon Engine weapons d o not need to rclood and ha:vc an unl:imi1ed Clip Size. 4
4
PIERCING THE VEIL With the Shell teady, the Heretics mo..·e onto the most
A TOUCH O F C HAOS \\lith their mighty Dxmon Engine crt3tcd 11nd (hopcf11Uy) under their contto~ the Hen:tics b:NC: :tn immensely poYot"rful -and destructivc being at their disposal. Howt\'a', the binding proccs ch3.llp many .things M the mtppcd Daemon twists and warps its nC\\' cage into something mo.re deadly lhan a simple machine. The Heretics mt!St detennine the Ch.lrncteristitS) Woonds, Binding Strength, Skjfls, Talentsi. Tmits, Alignment, and Daemon Eng in.e Trnits for thcit newly created death machine. Characteristics & Wounds: The type of Daemon bound co the Shell dete:nnines the Daemon-Engine's base Weapon Skill, Ballistic Skill, Intelligence, Pcr:ccption, Willpo'1o·en- Fellowship and .Infamy. The Daemon Engine~s Size determines the Streng th and Toughness (50 fci r Size 7, 60 for Siu: 8, 70 for S ize 9 nnd 80 for Size 10). Size also determines the Daemon Engine's \Vounds (40 for Size 7, 52 for Size 8~ 64 for Size 9 and 72 for Size 10). Daemon Engines suffer Dama~ like all other types of creatutes but h ave their own special rules for Criti01I 02mage (see page 96). Binding Strength; Even si.milar D~emons Engines tend to differ, \lo'ith some that deeply suppress the Daemon to some that sarcely contain the ragfng entity within. All Daemon Engines hav<' a Binding Strc-ngth equal to the Degrees of Success scored during the rutual of Binding. Skills: All Skills the D:iemon had transfer to the new Daemon Engine:, although ccn::ain Skills are usually i nappli~abk for Lumbering contrn.ptions of Oa«"ly-contained cosmic fury. Under norm;,I circumstances, Daemon Engines can only use che following Skills: Aw.ireness (Pct), Athletics (S), Common lot< ~ n t). Dodge (Ag), Forb;ddon lore ~ n t), latim;date (WP). U ngu;scia (Int), Parry (IVS), and J>syn~den
TABLE 2-8, DAE;JllOtl ttlGIN.E TR;\l'I VALUES
Size
M3chinc Trait Value 8
Unnatural Strength Trait \'alut
8
12
9
24 12
6 8 JO
Troit Value
7
iO
4
DAEMON ENGINE TRAJTS Daemon Engines df.spby an almOS! limidc.ss variety of po\\·crs, many of which manifest \vidtin the structure of the SheU. This section details n l.'lumbcrofTraits that only Daemon Engines can~ tt'Oecting the-ir horrific ic.:Uosyoaasies..
In addition..(o the Trnits ~I Dxmon Engines p05scss (such as the 0Jemon~ and Daemon Engine Trai~ bclO\\•), each lhrmon .Engine ~ J :iddition:a.I Trai~ gcO<"ratcd by rollfngcn Table l-9: Daemon Engine Traits. EaCh ti.me he ro-~ the Heretic cte3ting the Daemon Engine chooses either
Un.aligned D:icmon !;ngine Tr.iits or the section or the T:ibk associated wilh tbemaJefic power to which the Daemon Engine is Aligned, and rolls. Id [OQ plus the bound Daemon's lnfumy
Char.1\7t.cristic. f"Or Aligned Darmon Engines, the Heretic most rollnt le11sc once on the section ofTable 2-9: Daemon Engine Traiu :t.SSociated with the bo.uod 0Jemon's dread patron. If the Hattie rolls the same Trait twice, he selects a Trait of his choosing &om the section of the Table he rolled on th3t the: D-acmon Engine docs not already p::issess.
NEW TRAIT: DAEMONFORGE A fire bums at 1he he:att of the Daemon Engine, roaring for it to l3Sh out wjth 1hc 3gckss fi.ny of the Empyrean. Once per encounter, the Daemon EngitK: m11y re-roll a damage roll in its entirety. lf amy of the tt"--roll~ dice rts-uh in a 901 10, the Daemon Engine suffers 1d5 Wounds (ignoring ~cmour and Toughness Bonus) for each of those results.
NEW TRAIT: DAEMON ENGINE (X) The cn:.aturc is a hybrid of Daemon and machine, fusing
l&hnology ond mrceiy in a ~•Y thll is ,...mJess •nd horrifying; prov.iding inc,rediblt prottctioB ':lgains( virtually aU weaponry. The Daemon Engine gailils the From Beyond and The Stuff of Nightmares Traits snd is therefore immune to Fear, Pinning. Stunning. lnsanity, Poison, Disease, and Psychic Po....'C'rS t'1.1t affect the mind. Jn addition. a 0.Jcmon Engine increases iu loughncss Bonus by an amount equal to the Aumbct in p:1tentheses. Psychic Po\\•ers and weapons .,.,·ith-thc .B~.
Fo1ce, OI' Sanctified ~:ality ignore this additional
Toughness Bonus..
TABLE 2-9, DA~HION Ef'\GIN.E TR_;\ 1 1~
Unaligned Daemon Engine Traits tdfOO Roll Trait 01-40 Helc:1ste1 Helram 41-70 Helma·.v 71 -90 91-110 51aughtere1 Limb 11 J-125 Dire .Harpoon Star of Chaos J26+ Khorne Daemon Engine Traits fdlOO Roll Trait 01-30 Blood So.aked Fury Jl-50 Butche' Scythes t\i:1tk of Khome's Contempt Sl-70 Ad> Cto..I ?1-90 H1uvl's1 er 91-110 111-BO Bbck Fire Bl+ Bellow of the Battle lord Nu,glt. Oatmon Engine Traits tdtOO RolJ Trait 01-30 Hideous Vis:ige Eternal Decay JI-SO 51- 70 Pl'stilent fog C1oud of Flies 71-90 91-1 lO Flesh Cage Pit of Despair JI J-BO Ray of Decompmnioo Bl+ SLaanesh Daemon Engine Traics ld100 Roll Trait 01-30 Slaanesh's Beguiling ~fiSts Devourer Lam Jl-50 Allure of Darkness 51- 70 Sensory Olleriood 71-90 91-1 JO Nightm3re Mines 111-130 Whispers of Promised Ecnasy Ill+ Serpen1ine Tzecntcb Daemon Engine Traits fdlOO !toll Tralt OJ-30 'W':uptlame Vents 31-SO WatpShroud 51- 70 Third Eye 71-90 Empyrean Toiich \Varp Accelerut°' 91-110 Time-Sphere J 11-130 131+ Sih-er To.,.,•et
UNALIGNED TRAITS
KHORNE TRAITS
The following Tr.a_ its are Unaligned, and C!ln be applied to
The following Traits arc for K.hornatc Daemon Engines.
any Daemon Engine.
DIRE HAR:PooN A tw~ed amslgnmation off1csh and metal, the Dire Harpoon
whips around as it seeks new prey. The Daemon Engine gains a weapon ..,..ith I.he: listed profilc{scc- Table- 2- 10: Daemon Engine V.'eapons on P3~ 55)~ \\' hen 3 Daemon Engine hits a target with a Din: Harpoon, the weawn"s spike ~'"Omcs embedded in the target, and ~mains
there untiJ the '3rgt°t or the Daemon Engine- shakes the harpoon loose as a Full Action. So long as the spike is emlx-dded, the Daemon Engine may make an Op posed Strength Test :igainst the cargc:tas a H:tlfAction; if it wiiu the Opposed Test, it dt:igs
the
'"'ll"' 2d I0 °"'""' towurd itself, plus fi>udditiooal met""
per Degree ofSiAccc.ss on the Test
HELCASTER (DAEMONIC SHIELD) Flooding the mind w ith garbled promises of pov.·c-t, a Helc3Stcr distfllCtS and befuddles all around it
ALI diameters within '3 number oi metra equal co 10 times the 03emon Engitl(''s \Villpo...,'Cr Bonus su:lfer a - 10 penalty on Tott This is 11 Daemon:ic Shield.
HEIMAw The D:iemon Engine's mouth or entire he.ld m nsmutes into a \ V31p·fuelled wellpon cap<1ble of unle:ishing torrents of molten skulls or bohs of sp3tkling energy. The Daemon Engine g:ains 3 weapon with the listed profiJe {sec Table 2- 1O<: Daemon Engine Weapons on p:igc 5.5).
liELRAM Spiked struts of bone- and metal form at the front of thcOaemon Engine to create nn enormous r3m. The Daemon Engine gains a Y.>.c:3pon with the lis~cd profik {see Table 2-10.: Dac.mon Engine Weapons on p:igi: 55~ h can only use dtis ~as a PJrl of a Charge Action.
SLAUGHIERER LIMB At the moment of binding. :i long, flexible limb tipped w ith a d C3dlyblade bur:slS outwards from the Daemon Engine's shelL The Daemon Engine g.Jins a v.•eapon with the listed profile (~c Table 2- lO: Daemon Engine V.'eapons cn pa~ 55). Once per Round, i1 may spend a Reaction to make a Standard l\ielec Attack Action with tfijs we:ipon.
STAR OF C HAOS The Si:nr of Chaos drcnche.s the area \\'ith llnn:itural pov.'t'l• granting unholy vigoor to foUO'-''Crt of the Ruinous Powen whilst smashing foes apart lik:in enormous wcccking &:ilL The Daemqn Engine ~ins :1 wc:ipon v.•ith the listed profile {see Tabk 2- 10: Daemon Engine Weapons on pa~ 55). AD Ch3os follo\!o•crs v.•ithin a number of metres cqoal to the Daemon Engine's Ch:imcteristic count as having the Fearless TaJ~t (scc ~ J 24 of the Buc1: Ciws.wE Core Rolebook).
AsH CLOUD (D AEMONIC SHIELD) The 03Cmon Engine consbntly emits- clouds of ash, t'ich speck of dust rnrt of some vanquished foe. Any living CCC:liui'C engaged in meltc V-'ith !he Daemon_ Engine suffets the Suffocition Damage Condition {sec pclgC" 257 of the Bucic: CRUSA.OO Core RuJcbook) unless it does not need to btcathe or has fully scaled armow: This~ a O.acmonic Shield. BELLOW OF TIIB BATTLE Lo RD The Daemon vents its fury "''ith :in almighty roar that triggers the fear response in all living things. As a Full Action, the Daemon Engine m3y unleash a roar tfut causes all char.icters within JO metres to makt: a fc;11.r 1'-est 3gajnst :i: Fear Rating equal to its normal Fear Rating plus l.
BLACKFIRE Scaring fi re of utter darkness h angs on the: Daemon Engine's we:ipo~ bucning a\\•ay the viulit}' and annoor of its t:11gca. All of the Daemon E:.ngin~'s ""'"Capons gain the Corrosi\•e and lrrndiated {4) ~litics. BLOOD SOAKED FURY The 0.Jemon Engine drips with burning blood, dr iving it to reckless 3Cts of slaughter. Whene\>.c:! the Daemon Engine fails a \\'c:apon Skill T
BurcHER ScYrHEs The Daemon Engine is ad9rned with dottns of wickedly sharp hooks and blades that lash out lit anyone nearby. The Daemon Engine g.tins a weapon with the listed profile {sec Table 2-10: Daemo n Engine Wc-apons on page 55). Whenever the 0-.Jemon Engine makes :1 Oiarge Action using this Y."t'3pon, it inOiccs a single hit with this v.
HARVESTER An enormous rotating blade ca;pablc of f't"ducing adversaries to mulch in seconds pushes its~ oot &om die Daemon Engine._ The: Daemon Engine gains 3 v.·eppon with the listed profile {sec Table 2-10: Daemon E ngine Weapons oo po:gr: 55). \Vhenc..,cr the it kiUs a living cre3ture with chc H:uvcstc'r, it gains the: Regeneration (8) Trait un!il the end of its next TDm.
MARK OF KHoRNE's CoNTEMPI: Khorne abhors psykc:rs, and many engines of Khornc fcatars cngm'Cd or inin1ed runes to w.1rd off soccc:rous :attacks. Whenever 2 Psykt_rtargi:ts th-c 03emon Englnewith a~ Pow.r, ;f the result of me roll for bis Focus Po,oc.-'ll:sl bf an 8 (as in a 28 or an 81), the poY.'« aulOlnaliallyf:lill P>ykcc sulTcrs !dl0+8 R.nding Ihm.go U> lhc lbdf.i n
PESill.ENT Foe
NURGLE TRAITS lbC' follow•"& Tnits are for Nurglcsquc Dxmon Engines.
CLOl/D OF FLIES (DAEMONIC
JUl!LD)
SurnK11lding the engine is :i visible and tangible !I urn n1:ade of mnggot· Oics, poisonous Wlsps; and corpse locust.s. R:tng«I Awcks ragainst chis 03emon Engine suffer~ -lO pcn:1Jty This Is a Dxmollic Shield.
E TER.'IAL DECAY Annoult'd pantls fall ;a:way co ~~I the: consttndy ttgmcrabng aonc mess .,,;min !he Damon Enci.nc'1 Wll Tho: "''"" o( lh< Oxman Eng;nc"s Siz< T"" ;ncr..... by I
(10 a...,.;,,,.,., o( IO)and 4 gains lh< Rcg
FusHCAcB The C:ige l:iunchcs sti&)· knots of dcci1ying bodies fused
nati
rogt1hcr W1lh norlous sludge HO\\'C\'C r; its croc terror aunes from etc victUN ic kiwcs ali~ sw& in the mass o( auophied limbs. Tbt D.ttmon Engine g:tins ::a \\'elpon with the hsied profile tr« T•k l 10: Daemon Engi.M We
m-...
Mm:s of pitrt:sttnrc surround and foUcM' cht: engine 1n 10: " 'a.kc, ausing dca1h 10 those \\iho inhale the (umca. Any Ji,ring crc:awre no1 protected by an cnvironmcn11I seal that begins ill Turn within l 5 mcttcs or the Oae1non Engine must make: n Hard (- 20) Toughness Test or JUfT'cr (d5 Toughness 0Jmlge.
''°"'
Prr OF DESl'Alll The- Dtmon Engine's mouth opens to tt"nl a g3f'nl pie o( oorhingnao. A moment bier, anyrhing unf.-..d , _ K>Wwds the D.xmon En1inc. vsnishiag im:o thc-d.atllcned ~ The Daemon Engine g>lns • """""' wilb rh< li....i p!Ofik
("" Ttblt l- 10: Daemon Eagin• Weap<>M on Piii' ssi Any m:aw:rc w1ch 1 Siu Trait with a value .krA"Cr than•"* o(
the Chc:mon Engine th.Jc i$ scruck by this weapon must make an Ordinary ('• tO) Stnngch Tcsc or be pulJed a nu:mbc:f of mC'tnos cqu.il to its Ocgtccs of F:iilure on the Test cow.ird the entropic abyss 13wning open bcfotc iL If a crc-.aturc 6 pulled into the void. it is sbin insundy (Heretics can cheat
Ru OF DECOMPOSITIO N G.eaa.>n Enemc's "face" is bloated Of tkclcul, Sc.tbtous "" ... ...,....., rhc 'f'
llil"I' !hot dnor bn:ath
• _.ef
dUs Daanon Engine'i1 Fc11r ·rr:iat by + 1.
The engine is apabk o( harnessing the powc:r of the Wirp into a short bu1 potcn1 bl.1st th.1t astronomicaJly accckt11ct the rate of entropy in t nything it toochcs.
The 0.Jemon Engltw: g:ilns 11 v.'elpoo. \\'itb the UICcd pn>filc: (sec: Table 2-10: Daemon £nginc: Weapons on~''~
SLAAN1lsH's BEGUILING M1srs The folki"•Jng Traits arc for Sl"ancshi Daemon Engines.
Al.UJRE OF DARKNESS Str.ingt and lighcs soundscm.amtc from the Daemon Engine's shell conftising a.ald tempting any \\•ho t:.tke but a Oc:ctingglance. All ad..,rrs:iries sulTet a -10 penalty to Dodge and Parry Tests made tO
DEVOURER LAsH A long Oeshy tail or tongue sprouts from the Daemon Engine.. lnfuscd \\'ith sense-shattering chemicals and e\'er-changing vibrations, the lash lca''CS its victims ~cling with sensation. The Dacmon E;.ngine g3ins a 'WC.lpon with the listed profile (see Table 2--1 O>: Oaen1on En gine \\'capons on p!lge 55).
N IGHThiARE MINES As the Daemon Engine mO\'CS; smaU metallic acaturcsdislodge and skitt« towards nearby tlrgets. These repulsive org.inisms seize an}'Onc within f'C3ch, flooding their \'ictims with nightmarish visions bcfo~ exploding in a blast of energ)t lnstead of fir!ng Nightmare 1\1incs like a normal \\'capon, these malicious \\'illking cxplosM's sprC3d autom:itically. At the end of each of the Daemon Engine's Turns, each other character w:ithin ldJ0+6 metres :unomatically suffers 3 .single hie from a Y.'C':tpon with the following profile: f'tielec; 1d1 0+6; Pen 6; Crippl;ng (6).
SENSORY 0vERIOAD ( DAEMONIC SHIELD) Foul devices designed to O\'erwhelm the senses of 3fl nearby covet the Daemon E:.ngine's shell. Strobe: lights, dit~ caste~ and pheromone spouts 311 act to confou nd enemy combatants. The first time during an encou.ntct that a living being moves within l metres of tht: Daemon Engine, ic must truikc a Hard (--20) Perecprion Ten ot be Stunned for one Round. This applies to each cre3tun: th3t enters chis proximity, bul can only trigger once per encounter per targel This is 3 Daemonic Shield. SERPENTINiE \Vr3cked by uncontrolled enecgy at the momcn.t of binding. the Daemon Engine's shell twists a.nd contorts: into the fonn of a massive serpent. The Daemon Engine's strucrurc «forms. d mstiC3lly altering iis mm.'Cment metbod. Regardless of whether the original Shdl -w:as Tracked, Wheeled, had l~s or flcw/ ho-.'C'tcd, che D:iemon Engirw: loses any· abilities it had fiom those types of Shells and lnste:id gains che Crawler 3nd Unnatural Agility {6) Traits :as well as the Leap ILJp. lightning ReOo:t:Si and Sprint Talents.
An 'Unearthly pk:as:int scent surrounds the Daemon Engine-, beguiling 3nd confusi.ng any who su:ay into ran~. At 'he end of each of the Dac·mon Engine's Turns.- each living at11ture within 3 metres of the Daemon Engine must pass a Difficult (- 10) Toughness Test Of roll once on Table 5-1 : HallucJnogc-nie Effeecs (sec page l 50 of che Bu~ CRusADE Core Rulebook) and suffer the effects.
WHISPERS OF PROMISED .EcsrASY As the 03t'mon Engine strid~ the battlctield, the Lies of Sla31lCSb folJow in its wake. Enticing 3nd frightening. the soft \'Okes promise power and endr.ess sensation to all who submit. The first time a li'Jing crca:cur:e mm:es "-'idtin 30 metres ofthe Daemon Engine, it-must make ;:a Hard (-20) Willpower Test [fn tlrgrt succe;cds;- it becomes immune to this D:t('mon Engine's fa!SC"hoods and need never Test for them again.1f a r:arg_ct Gtils, however, it gains l Corruption A:iint and is Srunned for I Round. Additionally, it must make the Hard (- 20) Willpo~r Test again during its nexcTurn or .saf'ter the effects of lhis Trait again. This continues Wlril the l:trgt't pz.ses the \VilJpower Test doring one of its Tums or sucrombs to Spawndom.
TZEENTCH TRAITS The following Traits art' fot Tzeentchian Dac-mon Engines.
Ei.fPYRllAN T oucH The raw stuff of the Warp seeps from the Daemon Engine's gun barrels and slides down its blades. Even the thickest armour presents no challeng;c to n be.ast so blessed with Tzeentch's fickJe fi:uncs. The Daemon Engine's Y.'eaponi gain the Ovc-theats,. Fbme, and Warp \\'eapon ~ali ti es.
SIIVERTOWER The Oaemon Engine's b.lcK resh:ipes co form a short conical tower of shining silver. \Vithin, bonded Thr-.Jlls ch\lnt praises to Tzeen1ch as arcs o f lightning fly in every direction. The Daemon Engine glins the: PsykerTrai' and a Psy Rating
of 2. The Hcrclic cn-oring 1hc engine (01 !he GM) dloosa two Psychic Powers (except any that use CorruptKin) fro1n any of the following lists: Tzee:ntch, Telepathy or Divination. If the Daemon Engine l:attt rccei''C'S che Third E~'l'. Trait,. iis- PsyR:ating rises co 5 and it gains chrce additional Ps}\:h.ic Powers.
THIRDEY.ll The Daemon Engine: grows a l.arge \V~ somewhere OIL, iu hc.'3d or chc:it. The ey<" sees everything as it pulses- w~ po\\'C'f and sends trodrils of ps}'7hic «iergy rippling acros the Daemon Engine-'s shell. The Daemon Engine gains the Psykcr and Dadl Sigh& Traits, Psy-R:aring 3, and the Psyni.sdence Skill -at Rank 4. The C1\1 chooses three PS)
T IME SPHERE
W ARP SHROUD ( DAEMONIC SHIEI:D)
Often appc:aring as 3 looping gyroscope with an ever-moving Uqujd cort', the Time Spheric channels the <.'ncrgy of tbc Vortex to shift the 03cmon Emgine back and forth in time, if only foe a fey.• seconds. The Daemon Engine C81.l 3Ctiv:tte the Time Sphttt- once per comb.at ~s a Reaction. The Da~mon E.nginc instantly vanishes as if it had suffered the-Chronological {ncontinc nee result on Tablt> 6-3: Perils cf the \\'a.rp (s.ce p.lgt' 211 of th<: Bue..: C 1t1.."UDE Core RuleboQk). Upon returning,. the Daemon Engine ignores the usual efTeccs but suffers 1dl0 Impact Damage th11t ignores armour ;and Toughness Bonus.
Originally conceived by chc -Sorct:rcr-Tcchnocrnts of ~l the \VarpShroud shealhs the Daemon Engine in 3 nimbus of coloured tl.lmc that blocks incoming damage much like a Void ShieJd. Ac lhe st:ln of c:ach cncountc:r, the Daemon Engim gnins 2d LO acldiciorol points .of armour unriJ the end of lhc encounter: Psychic J>o..,.><-ts 11nd an:Klu \\'ith t.ilr Blessed, Fa«c, or S3nctified ~aUry ignore this :umow: Some resultsofCriticaJ D:tmagc remove this protection.
WARP ACCELERATOR Roa.ting ominously above the Daemon Engine:, this indigo cr)'stal routtcs slo...,·ly a.s it s~rks with scarcely ront,ained mcrgy. At the Daemon's whim, wst bolts ofenergy :ire 3\\'ay from the crystal reducing anything chcy strike to primordi2I sludge. The. lllemon Engine gains ;a \\.·capon with the listt-d profile (see Table 2-f O; D-aemoo Engine We.a.pons below). When used for an Att>ck Aa:;on, 1he Warp Accdmior also -auto1natically inOirts l hit with .th~ listed profi.l : upon .1d5 ,.. olher mndomly cho~n targets w1dun r.tnge and ltne of s1gh1.
Brightly coloured gargoyles appc3r and dis;i,ppc:ir at 1andom all O\'er the Daemon l:ngine-'s shell, venting gouts of multihued 6re at anyone that gets too close. The Daemon Engine gains a weapon v.·ich the listed profile (sec Table 2- tO; Daemon Eng ine Weapo ns be:l~w}. \\'hcncver a char.ic(tr uses the Charge A<:rion against the Daemon Engine, 1hat character suffers a single automatic hit from a weapon with the listed profile.
>
·
1 ;
Q
l
s~~ dit!r\~ .»""' • :
•
&...__
·· -....• _
TABLE 2-1 0 , 011r;mot:1 ENGINE WEAPONS
Name Butcher Scythest
C lass .Melcc:
Range
Ro F
i)cv-ourer L:ish
J.le3V)I
l5m
SI-/-
Dire H;irpoont Flesh Cage"t
Heavy He3V)I Meltt He3V)' .flitelee Heavy He3V)' f\>telec.fiJtelcc:
20m lOOm
SI-/SI-/-
60m
S/- /l
lOm 80m
SI - /SI-I-
Harvcstert ~~clmaw
Hdramt Pit of Oi:sp:iir'f Ray of Oec.ompositjon Sloug~tc:rcr Limbt Star of Ch-:iost (Mclee)
Damage Pen Sp
Swor ChJOS'f (R,ngcd) Hc;ivy
Bf,., (6), Felling (4), Shocking
\l{:i.rp Acceleratorf
Recharge, Shocking Spf:l}', Flame. Hallucinogenic (J)
SI-/- 2dl 0 I 20m 4 Hcovy 20m SI-I- 6dl0 E 0 \\',1rptl;imc Vcnts4" Heav)' 5m SI-/- ldl0+9 E 4 .:. T}}.U JPrapon b.ts additional rofa. Ste pdga 52-55far n:orrdct:tih.
_:;>
IPOSSESSED H ERETICS
D
armom att" focmrd from chc- ¥t.ry stuff of the \\'.up; 1hcir pttsC'oct' in the ma1criJI univnsc is beyond
oOllJ!l!r.tl. Jt is JnJlhcmL Ahhough • OllClllOa m1nifesied in reality can appear 10 be formed of flesh and blood, this is buc an illusion, for ii Is U\lly fonned of the dark energy of t h e' lmauuerium, held cogt:ther by Lhc will of the gods. Con.scquendy. a Daemon
lhcir dc:ily's po'A'ff. This is not afv.·a~ the: ciu.c (ot those who ltuly 1read 1he Path to Clory, ho"'CVTf, (01 "''hilc: Daemonic pouession brings with it the power o( the dcnb-cns of 1hc \Varp. ic nlso hoSds ecru.in dr.awbackL Occoming possessed requires :1 l~ crc1ic IO give up a m~n0«of (Onuol ovr:r his own :acbons 11nd ckstin¥ Pcrh:ips most import11n1ly, • possessed Hcn:tic annot rc:M:h that uJtirn.atc goal of Apothcos:is. fot an indMdu:11 p m d by :a D.rcmon anno«. h1rn.stlf. bttomc one. ~ thole -.-ho sieck shon-tcrm poW"Ct a1 any COSl,. ~r. poncnioo ao offer an appcahog ~ to npic:Uy grow an the mere cost of OM'·, IOUL
nrcnrm--
INVITING THE DAEMON OacmonlC' poSSfition can come about in • number of ways. fro1n 11 tl>c1non t:t.king adv:an uagc o( a psyker'I 1noment of wcakncu to n void ship's Cdbr Field fa&lutc. Such in.stanco "Q« oticn shon-li~. hov.·cve:r; as the ptt11:ncc of the Oxman pro-o-a roo much for the host's fuil t1a h to bear,, b.tnishinc ch< O...- b.x1t to dx WMfl In llUCh .oodcoccs. ch< ' - ' • own ..a1 .tso bxtks th< D.oemon. ..iiieh cru«ih• - . . «. alchough indMdOJls ... mighty"' .;n ·~ .. "" aD)11m& buc •Ughdy dcby 0..1- 6- ..di uninvilt'd • ions are mosc cnadcd .... ch P"l'f"C*. . . . chc ~ cattf•lly pttp=d anod chc 0-on ....,......i-"' bound thn>u&:h ritUJl \Vhrther or not 1hc hoA • ...... • ri1ual ~on r~lts in a strongtr bood, CNulkl& M .subject's body is noc oblitcnccd by chc Watp ~
rcw
ch<_.._
In 8J.Ac1t CRUsAo~ a H«Ctic is mos.l Uktly to b«omc possessed as a
E FFECTS OF POSSESSION Undergoing Daemonic possession is a fundamental change for n. character. Not only docs a Possessed Heretic no\\' shar~ his body with a being of the Warp, but that body also undergoes radical changes, -as the O;i-emon within f\vists and reshapes it to better se1ve its purposes. "'iany Heretics embrace ~cmon i c posst'SSion as a quick path to pov.·«. Indeed, Possessed display grcai strength, fonitude, and a number of unn:itural abilities. As the possession progresses funhcr snd the Daemon's control w.Jxes. the Possessed Heretic gain.'" .additi6naJ Traits and 3biBtics. Sec The Path of Damnation on f"Ggt' 58 for the effects of Possession, based on die Heretic's ru.rrcnt Corruption. A Possessed Heretic :also g.iins t.h.c -Psyniscience Ski,11, the N:wigate (\Varp) Skill, and the \Yirp Sense TalenL Fot all rclcwnt game purposes, a Possessed Heretic counts :is 11 Daemon. Upon being possessed, a Heretic gains 2d l O+; Corruption Points, 10 !I maximum of 99. l f this causes the Herecic to pass one: o r more Comi.ption chrestiokls, he generates Gifis of the: Co& as norm:iJ in· addit.ion to. the effects of possc-.ssion.
UNNATURAL WEAPONS Many l)aem~ns d o not use 'olo"'3pons in the traditional sense, 2nd C'
of the Daemon, this could mean the Possesscd's fin~rs grow long, grasping clt1\\'S. ot th:at its hand morphs into 11..n axe· bktde of impossibly sht1tp bone and gristle. \Vhen 3 Heretic becomes possessed, one or both of his arms mumcc and become weapom (:.dditi'ooal Bmbs, such M those gained ~ a Gifl of the Gods, arc u nalTec:ted). \Vhilc the exact fonn of the tx-\~·C3poned limb d~pends on the possessing Daemon, j1 docs mean tbc: hsnd loses most, if not 31 ~ of its manual dexterity, and the Heretic cannol u.1e th::it limb to opcr.i.tc a d::ita-sJatc, fire a gun, or for similar t3sks. To deteanine if OOC' or both arms 'Jte affectt:d, the Herctic.'s pla~r rolls Id 10. On a result of 1-7, one of the Hetttic's anm is unchanged; on a result of 8-10> both Hmbs transfunn into \\'c-apon.s. Each affected limb benefits from the Deadly Natur:il \\'e:tpons Trnit. lfboth limbs are aJTe.acd, the Heretic also gains the Ambidextrous and Two-.\.\'ca~n \Vid dcr(Mclec) Tt1lents if
he doo not alr<::idy pas= them. If one of the HerctiCs limbs alre.1dy incorporates a \\'e.1pon, such :as a result of lhe Slayc-r Umb Cift of.the Cod.si that limb and v.'C3pom are unaffected. Once pee day. 3 Heretic ~'ho prefers co mainta:in the use of one: or both hands can attempt an Opposed Tesc against the possessing Daemon, as described under The Struggle for Control on p.:igc 60. lfhe succeeds, ooeo1 both of his hands f\\•ist back into a usable fonn, at kast for the time bejng.
T HE DAEMON W ITHIN A Possessed Heretic effectively shares his body ~·ith another character, the Daemon. This has ti numbc;r of benefits and drawbacks., as well as considerations for rolcpla.ying. \Vhen a Heretic bccom('S possessed, the GM :and pbycr \\•ock together to select an appropriuk Daemon from a Buc.K CRUSADE suppk:men·t If the Heretic becomes posSCSSC'.d'3S a result of the Ritu31 of Possession, as is usually the C:l.SC) the Ritv:3J used to initial.ly summon the Daemon detennincs ir.s type. If the G~\ agrees, the Daemon's Chart1cteristics an instead be randomly determined using Table 2-1 l : Daemon Characteristics. \\'hen selecting or cte3ting a Daemon 10 possess the Hcrctk, the CM :md player must select the Chaos Cod to \\'hich the possessing Daemon is Aligned (\\
TAllLE 2- 1 1, DAi;lllQl\I CHARl\Cl'ER!S1"1CS Ch3ract4:rjscic \\.'CJ?.Ofl Skill lLlla111.: Shill Strt'ngth l·. L{!hn•Jss
Khor n.ate 50+3dl0 40..-JdlO 4-S+JdlO
A.;:1llty
30+2dl0
l-:1.-J!1~~1'l!c
20-ld lO
35- 3dl0
2fl,._ 2d I 0 2-'i 3dl0 10+2dl0
"
XilO
JHJdlO
Sl3ancshi 40+3dl0
J0+2dl0
35+2d l0
40+Jd l0
25+Jdl0 10+2d l0 45+3dl0 20+-Jd I0 20t-2dl0
Nurglesque
50+Jd l0 10+2d l0 25+2d l0 45+Jd l0 20+-3d10 20+2d l0 I 5-Sd lO
JO-ld l.O SO+JdlO
I ; - ;dtO
Tzeentchian t0+2dl0 35+ 2dl0 25+3dl0 20- ld!C) 25+3dl0 45T-3dt0 JO+JdlO
50-Jd lO 40+ 2dl0 L; .,- ;dlO
l.Jna!igned 30+Jdl0 20.,.2d 10 J-O+JdlO 20dd l0
2-0+ldtO 2·0-2d l 0
25+Jdl0 20-3dl 0 l-0+ 2dl0 ;·Jd :O
TA nLE 2-12., THE l'OSSESSION TRACI\. CP Total 01-35 36--;; 56-70 7 1- 85 86-99 100
Daemonic A.1an ifestations ln\ o ke the Daen1on Possdt.sion Tr3its Oaemonic (2), Pcar {l), Unnatur31 Strength {2) lst Manifestation 2 times per session 2nd 1\!1Jnifes1ation D:iemonic (3), Fcar {2), Unnatural Strength (3) 4 times. per sess:on ; timC$ per session Oaemonic (4), Pear {2). Unnatural Strength (3) ltd ~1anifcstation Daemonic (4). Dark-sight, !=c'3r (3), From Beyond, No limit Unnatural Strc-ngth (4) Daemonic (5). Dark·sight, F'ear (3), From ~nd , 4th Manifest3tion No lim11 Unn-atural Strcn~h (.>) The Daemon consumes the Heretic uuerly--the Heretic is removed from play (sc-e Final Dest iny, belti\\'I 1
FINAL DESTINY
POSSESSED HERETICS A ~ Heretic gajns numerous new abiJities :ind other bcnefil.'\ sho\\'Casing unn3rural strength, resilience, :ind other unholy pov.'Cl"S. HoWC\'CI, regardless of whether the Heretic becomes host to :1 Daemon out of devotion to the lhrk God~ ot .desilt' to incte:lS(': his own po'W't'r, few 03cmons :i:re gl:adly .wbsctvient to :t mort.:11. The Heretic mmt c
THE PATH OF DA.>.rnATION A Daemon can mote" easily posse3S a vessel 3frc:idy tainted by the \\r:i:rp 3nd, O'\'t:r tjme, a possessing Daemon exe.ns further inf1ucnc:e O'l/e.r its host. To reprcsenl the way in which the Daemon allows its host further use ofi l\ powers as its dominion ovt'r him grov.•s.. 3S 3 Possessed Heretic's Corruption Point total incrca~ he. gains additional Daemonic M:1:njfest:1:tions, 'lllong \\'ith other effccu. A Hecetic "''ith a higher Corruption Point tobl wheil he fits< becomes possessed also gains a correspondingly gz'Qler number of f\.tanifcst.itions. To detc:nnine the cfferu of possession, consult Table 2-1 2: The Possessjoo Track. The effects include Oatmonic Manl'estarionsll::ftd opportunities to ln\'Okc the D:iemon (see p:i~ 60). The Hett6c has al.I of the Traits listed under the Possession Traits enny comsponding to his ru:rrent CP Total If the Heretic allo has a Trait with a valoc (X) from anothcrsoo~sudi 3Sa Gift ofthe Gods oc Mack of Cha~ he adds the CV.'O w.lucs togcthec
A Possessed Heretic "'ho re.aches JOO Corruption Points.. cannot bcoomc a Daemon Prioce, as his form is alieady home: to a Daemon,. nor docs he become a wretched Chaos Spawn. When a Possessed Heretic r;c3ches JOO CP. the Daemon within takes complete control Jn :1 blne of unholy power, the Heretic's mortal frntn<' is utterly rcshaped~r ripped 3part. Using the host's body as its entrance,. the Daemon manifests into reality, &C"<' co do as it plC3ses. Dependin,g on 1hc: conditions, the Chcmon might have hours o-t da~ and possibly Jon~ in the loY.
DAEMONIC MANIFESIATIONS When a Possessed Hetttic gains 3 Chcmottic M3nifcst:ltion as directed by Table 2--12~ Tht" Possession Track, the Heretic's pb~.r rolls on Table 2- 13: Daemonic Manifestations and gains the n:sulting }\1:inifcstation. The pla)'
TABLE 2- 1}, DAElnotti:: ITTANIFESI llJIOttS ldlO Roll
I 2 3 4 5
6 7 8
Chaos Aura An aura of\Vatp energy ripples aroo.nd the ~d, defle
Daemon's \ViUpo\\'Cr Ch2ractcrisric The field never Chiertoads1 but-any time the roll 10 avoid Damage rcsuJts in a double (such as 22, 33, 77, etc.). the He,rdic gains 2 Corruption Points.
Daemonic Essence The Daemon within sustains the Possessed Hcce1ic's form despite horrendous injuries that would kiU 3 mortal sevetal times over. The Hetcti'c gains +5 \\'ound.s.
Daemonic Eire \\'ii~61't' spills from the Po.ssessed's eyes. mouth, and da""'S: The ~lcrttic'.s n:uural Y.'Cllpons gain the R3me ~ality and their Dam:igc Type diang:s l O Energy. Futther, he counts as being equipped with :a r.mgcd "t3pon with lhe following profile, v.fierc X cqw!s the Heretic's Gorruption Bonus: {Basic; 1·5m; SI-I--, ld!O+J( E; Pen X; Cl;p-; Rdoad- ; Ramc,Sp«>~ R
Daemonic Speed The Possessed ch:iscs down prey with (et:d swiftness. He gains 1he Unnatur:d Agility (3J Trajt (or increases the v3Jue of thisT~it by 3 if he -alrc:i:dy pos~ it).
Daemonic Strength The Possessed sho\\'S :in on holy srtcngth, his mutated mtt.Seles fortified with the power of thlC' Daemon d welling \\'ithin. He increases 1he 1.'alue of his Unn.att.1ral Strength Trait by 3.
Daemonic Venom The Possessed's bev."C'a·po-ned limbs drip with noxious, WJtpspawncd venom. The Here,ic's n3tur.al y,·capons g..in the Toxic (X) Q9ality, where X eq.uals bis Corruption Bonus.
"°'""'M"''M's appearance projects an 3ura of unnatural
laorf'Qr. Wbent:Yer a i.'.haroctc.r fails a Fear Test caused by the ......ocd Hetttic. he doubles his Degrees -0f FaiJurc.. The Herctic•lso.gains :1 +20 bonus to Intimidate Tests.
9 10
Manifestation Chaos Aura Rending T31ons Daemonic Fire Unholy Resilience 03emonic Strcngtb Daemonic Speed Votp31 Cl:aws 03emonic Vrno1n 03emonic Visage Daemonic F.ssence
Unholy Resilience The Possessed HC'1t'.tic's unholy fonn is all but proof againsl morul \\'capons. He gains the Uno:irurn.J Toughness {3) Trait {or incre:!SCS the v:il~ of this Trait by 3 if he nJrcady possc~s it).
Vorpal Claws The~
Heretic'scl:a\\'S are supematurally sharp, shearing through borl(' 3S easily as ceramite. His n3tut:t.l \\·capons gain the Razor Sh3rp and Felling (X) ~al iti~ an_d _3 Pe-netr:trion of X. where X equals the Heretic's Corruption Bonus.
volting the Daemon When :i Po:s3cssed H«eric lm1:1kcs the Daemon, it means he is voluntarily giving ave.r a greatt'f" amount of inOu.
In N.:irrntive Timf, tht tffetts l:ISl for onf Skill or Char:Jctcristic TC'.St, or for rhc duntion of one scene, at the Cf\.i:'s discretion. In Structured Time, the effccu l3st fo r a number of Roun.ds equal to the Heretic's Corruption Bonus_ Each time 3 Possessed Heretic inv:okcs the 03emon, he gajns J Corruption Po int for ea.ch Characteristic he substitutes. and for each Talent, Trait, Skill. or other ability he g.lins.
THE STRU GGLE FOR C ONTROL As any de\'Olec of Chaos should well know, 0-.lemons on never be trusted. \Vhile possession offers 3 quick path to power, the Hettric :also sacrifices an amount of co ntrol
Mastering the Daemon WfKn the Daemon attempts to take control, the Possessed Herec:ic must r(:3SSC'A his mastery in the unholy union. To d o so, the Heretic and 03emon make an Opposed Test. The Herecic choosc.scrthtt his \.\'illpower or Jnfamy Characteristic for this Te.it (oote ths1 he cannol Invoke the Daemon to .substi1ute a Oiaracteristic). The Daemon uses its WiJlpower or the Heretk's Corrupdon Total (treating it just like -a normal Characteristic), "':hiche\'Cr is higher. This Tm Tequite.i a Full Adioo, and the J.lerctic mus1 m'3ke it 3t the fim opportunjt)'
ff the Hetetic wins t:he Opposed Test~ he maintains control for the time being. and there arc no funher consequences. If the. Daemon wins, it tnkes control of the Heretic for l Round for each Oegttt by which it v.·on the Tcsi., or one minute for each Degree in Narr.alive: Time. During this period, tht 03.C'mon dictates the .Heretic's :ictiviries, choosing hO\\' he spends his Actions in combat and speaking through him. Usu3ll}~ chis ml:3ns the GM temporarily controls the Hen:-tic, b1H the C1"1 .could -ahem:uively allow the p.1ayt:r to retain control v.•ith the underst3nding th.at he is making his decisions OOsed on the Daemon's dt'Si~ and not his usual character's intt'ntions.
• LAUNCHINCA BLACK CRUSADE
•
THE PESTILENT
WORLDS
•
DAEMONS OF NURCLE
CHAIPTER Ill: LORDS OF
ENTROPY
..You s/}Clu /d fel honourrd. Your dwh 11.llowfor my birth. Yt>ur rt:ortrr1ity.s/Jd/ln;a/;r mt ftr..'lfortdl!~
- Lord Khanchoros Bou ~ upon hjs Apotheosis he Lord o f Decay attracts many of his most devout from those seeking to avoid wh:tt 3'-'':l:its ~111 momJs: lhc end1m sleep of the grave. In welcoming his pestilent embrace, diseased tissue becomes inu-rcd to that -which -vrould fc:ll unuinted Oesh, and unmtu.raUy resilient f~rms k«p dC3th's touch one small measure st bay. Some of his greatest champions might e>:ist in such
T
\\'Orshi~r.s
a putrd}•ing grace for centuries and longer. corpse-like but no t corpses. Skin might dry and pttl away, corpolcnt organs bk vile liquj&, OOboes grow with pus and erupt. bur ~s remain energetic in their devotion 10 Nurgk. They li\'C 001 to SC'f'Vt" their bclOVt"d Grandfather, and co share his love \\•ith others. Yet foe others,_ even this blessed sl!lte is not enough. To bavt" witnessed the glories of Nurgle -and h is D.icmons is to h.a\>c ~en kgc:nd ary beings who {. h:a\'c traru:cmdcd mortality Por many, it is a taste
that consumes all else, and their li\
dlse$ed gifu kill cndJcu pope.1Jations that .scr."t: .as bounlifuf food for parasitical wonns. Oics, and his -other childrm This .quest for tr.insccndcnt power is not limi(ed -only to those who -worship the Cod ofRJes, of cou'5e, as the thirst for power is what dri\•es aJI ..,..ithin the Screaming Vortex and beyond in their worship ·of the Dark GoCls. For these seeking the power to defeat death itself, there is no price too high a.r sin too great ln this chapt~ ~erdia o n lc:im more o f these paths to dari«-r :lnd greater p<>\\'C't. They can lJunch mighty Blrl Crus3dcs against the hated Jm;pcrium nnd Its Corpsc·Cod, to conqt1tt new dom.ai~ enslave nc""'' vass3ls. and uncover new u·cosurcs. The secrets of Apothcasls stand revealed,._ allowing players ro cootinoc their cha.meters· :afttr u::unfoonntion to Daemon Princes: immoruls of the Warp v.·ho can tea~ corrupt, and bedevil mortals such ;a they wc:rc, all for the glory of their patron god. Het't':tics learn of chc other, horrid fate that •~>fu !hose who
h:M failed w walk the Dark Pam properly;
transfotmation into a SP3Wn of Chaos. They also disco\'cr more- of the Screaming Vortex, and new-worlds that c:m aid in their quest for powtt Nurgle's touch has dripped its ncm><-jc blessings -across this unnatural region, from blighted Pyurultide to 1hc worm.ridden \Vrithing_ \Vorld 10 the- foerid, choked 5\'o>amps of 1\1irc. Other locales, such -:JS Guelph, which hosts terrible D:tcmon Engin~ or Hindrance's Daemon-filled sRi~ also can offer Herctics new bounties should the)• prove Y>'Orth)t lhose HCfCtic:s questing to uanscrod the Voncx and CSCiipe ilS grasping embrace can vcnwre to the Frozm Hean and the Ascendant Spirn~ when.the final challenges awnit all those who \\'ould d:uc risk their
AIPOTHEOSIS •1b«r
F
who trc:1d lhe path to glo.ry, th.etc is no higher gool than th:it of Apotheosis-attaining the mantle of a O.acmon Prince. As a Heretic pctfonns ever mol't' acts in 1hc n:tnK' of his god. they become saror.1ted with the energies of the \Varp, expressed through physical nrutatjon. For most of tho.se ~·ho do not simply die on the b:dtlefiekl or at lhe hands of~n assassin, the gifts of the gods cvtntu:dly pro\ ic too much, their mind and body sh:ittercd and reformed as a Chaos SJnW1l. Avuy m:rc few, ho'Wt'VCC, \l((' able (0 tolerate me 1otx:h ofCh:ios and VI.in the fai.-our of the gods. Those exceptional individuals trnnscend mo1talJty, joining the host of Oacmom fut eternity. Each Daemon Prince is a unique -and terrifying entity, combining the guile, skill and po\\'Cr of die mortal they o nce '-''Cre wilh the ovcrWhelming power of a Daemon. Those who att-nin such a goal arc reborn, to begin a new existence as an immortaJ being of the \Varp. ot those
.BECOMING A DAEMON PRINCE As explained in the BLACK C.RVSA.DE Core Rulebook, -a Heretic reaches the go31 of Apotheosis when chcy obtain lOO Corruption Points and p
required Infamy remains a nonnal ch:u·3Cf.c1 for the time being. If che Hem-ic becomes Aligned to 3 Chaos God and g;ains that god's fitiark of Chaos, he becomes a Daa:non Prince. Ho\\'C~r~ if the Heretic slips ~lo\\' the Infamy threshold .at :tny time before lllC'eting these criteria, he immedi:arely becomes a. Chaos S-pa.wn. Even dw: sma.Uestslip in the eyes of the ruinous ones is futaL Under most citrums(ances, the tr.ansfqrm3tion into a Darmon Prin-ce should occut at the end Of a g:imc- session or during a suit3ble pctiod of downtime. S.uch an evc-nt -is a dnumtic a.nd momentous occ:ision, butalso one that requires
of a Cha<» Cod "" ckvott a molllll
some considc-rablc- modificati-ons to the Hc-rc:tk's dtara,ttr
to the stitu.s of a n.emon. \Vithourit, 3 monal so imbued \\ith the power of the \V...rp is destined for an end-as a mewling Chaos Spawn. And, \\'hi le me gods an sometimes set aside thcir Ot"Vt'fending power struggle in P.UfSUit of common _goals, they are far
sheet. Rather than delay the a-ction "'hile making the ch:angcs during che session, it is best to wait until after. HowC"'
oqi coough. Only lhc will
jealol!S ro shan:: their champions. Consequent!~ Apotheosis Only'3 Heretic who is Aligned to one of tht Gods of Chaos and has the corresponding >i1ark of Ch:ios an bctomc a O:Jen1on Pcince. Ap indi'vidllal so infused \Vith- the f'O"'C'r of the \Vatp who lacks the guiding hand of a patron god \~nuld undergo the taribk t$nsfonnation to a Chaos Spawn. However, some lndividuak. v.-tiile not h-aving devoted themsc:h
ttqUin::s a pltron deity.
DAEMON PRINCE CHARAC TERS Thcrt is a reason the: scions of Chaos strive for ApochcosisDacmon Princes art' terrifyi ngly potent beings. A Heretic who becorms a 03emon Prince gains a numbcf-ofadvanu gcs immediately, and ctn attain furth « abilities in the form of Daemonic Gifts. The changes d escribed in this section a rt" .nppltcd to the chat:Ktcr when the transformation into a Daemon Prince occurs, which wiU generally be hand led at
the end of(or bef\.veco) game sessM>ns..
DAEMONIC S TATURE Almost without exccption1 Daemon Princes manifested in the .material universe a.re ma.ssivt beings, as bcfil$ such pov.·erful entities. Daemon Princes also gain a number of trnits to reflect their nature as cttatures of the \Varp. A H« clic v.•ho becomes :1 Daemon P rince gains the _following benefits: fnansc: his Striength and Toughness Characteristics by+ 10. fncn-ase his \Vounds by + lO. He gains the following Tr-.Jits: Dac-monic {4), D:uk-sight, Fear (3), From Beyond, {)c3dly f'fatunal \Veapons. Size (7), The StutT ofNightmares. Unnatural Strength (l), and \\'arp lnstability. If the Heretic already possesses the- Unnatur.11 Strength. D.aemonic, or f.car Traits, he adds the existing values to the values of the Trsits gi\•en 01Jbove instead. A human Heretic gains the Unnatural Toughness (3) Trait if he does not already poss~ che Unn:itural Toughness TraiL Although -a Chaos Sp:ice r>ti srinc who becomes a Daemon Prince might retain his l>o\\ cr Armour, such is his new stature that chc Bl:ttk Carapace lmpl:mt docs not prevent enemies from gaining :11 booos to hit him due to his Size Trail Due to his size :ind po\\
Daemonic Presence All enemies within 20 metres: of a Daemon Prince suffer a - 20 pen-airy to \ViJlpower Tes-is. As ...,,.ell -as met!lph.ysial and existenriaJ
Daemon Prince of Khome Daemon Princes of Khome incrc:ut: their Strcng_lh bya funhc:r + I0. In addition, they gain bo'.th of the follO\ving 3bifities: Blood for che Blood Co.d: Daemons of Khome suffer no penalties from gore al!ld blood~ ll Critia l EtTecu in\'Olving gore' and blood (su ch ns rcqu.ir:ing -an Agility Tcs1 not to fall over) d o not appty to Chemon.s of Khorne. Rage of Khornc: A Oaicmon Princ_ e of Khorne can enter a Frenzy (see the Frenzy Talent on- pGge J24--l2S' of the Bu cK C RUSADE Core Rulebook) :is :i Free Action. In addirion, \vhile Prenzitd, a Daemon Prince of Khorne gains an additional + JO bonus to \Vcapon Skill Tests.
Daemon Prince of Nurgle Daemon Princes of Nurgk incrca.sc theirToughness by a further
+ 10. Jn :iddition, they choose one of chc following abilities: • Aura of Pestilence: All mortals -within 20 metres of the Daemon Prince who are not devoted to Nutglc stlfrer a - l-0 penalty to Toughness Tests. Unnatural Resilience: The Chcmon Prince may re-roll any failed Too.ghnc:ss Test (he mtdf '3ccept the second result).
DAE.>.fON PRINCE S PECIAL R ULES
Daemon Prince of Slaamesh
In addition co the Characteristic increases :ind Traits listed above, a Daemon Prince g:iins the Daemonic Pf'l!'S('n-ce special rule 31ld one or more special rules and Char.Jcteristic increases
Daemon Princes ofSl3a.ncsh increase 1heir fellowship by+ lO. ln-addition, they choast: one of the following 3bilities: • Beguiling Aura: All mor-t:lls v.•ithin 20 metres .of the
on his pa.niatl-u patron dcif}~ In addition1 a Daemon
Daen1on Prince who arc not rallo\\·crs of Slaancs.h sulTcr
Prince o f Nutgle or Sln:ancsh g:Uns che Psyket Trait if he does not already possess it, allowing the- character to spend experience poinu tQ purchase the Psy Rating Talent and Psychic Powers if he so desires. The Daemon Prince does nol g3in a Psy Ratin~ or any Psychic Powers auto matically, but noy,• h.:as the o p1ion l'O purchase them as Adv.anccs. Although cxtr.1ordinarily narc, il is possible for a psykcr or sorcerer to forsake his cov.-atdly ways and become one o f Khome's mighti:cst ch-ampiom If a Heretic with the P.syker Trajt becomes a Daemon Prince of Khome, he permanently loses the Psyker Trait1 the Psy Raring TaJent, and all Psychic Pov.•ers. The H eret.ic should consjder himself locky thal 1he Br:nen lord of Sk.tills hss seen fit to O\•erlook h is past u·ansgrcssions and purge him of his sorcerous impurity!
b;u~
a - (0 ?C'nalty 10 \\'illpower Tests. This is cumulative with the effects of D:ic.monic Ptesc.nce. lo addition, Dodge tild Parry Tesl'S agaimt a Daanon Prince of Slaanesti•s attacb suffer a - JO pen:ilty. Impossibly Persuasive: The DacmQn 'Prince may R-roll. any fajfod FelJoWsbip Test {h.c must ao.:ept die.second rauh:~
Daemon Prince ofTzeentch Daemon P rinces of Tuentcb increase thejr Willpowc1 by + 10. (n addition, they choose one of the following :abilities: • Mastc·r of Fate:: \\fhenever the 03emon Prince spends an
Infamy Point, roU ld LO. On a result of a 6+, the Daemon Prince g.:iinio 1he benefit of the Jnfamy Point, but it docs not count as spcnL (n :iddf1ion, the Daemon P rince gains
an extr3 ld5 Infamy Points at the beginning of each g.imt' session, y,•hich are lost if not used by the end of the SC$SiOn. • Master of Sorcery~ The Daemon Prince may re-roll any f.s iJed Focus Power Test (he must accept the second result). Howevu, if the result of either die on the second roll is a 9, it causes Psyf:hic Phcnomen-a (sec page 1 I0 of the Bua GtvsAOE Core Rulebook). lf Psychic Phenomena would be triggered regardless, each 9 he roUs adds + 10 to the result on Table 6-2: Psychic Phenomena instead.
rct3in any benefi ts of bionic replacement limbs. In effect. lhc c:har.ll:ter's nC\\' \\'arp-Ocsh restores his lost limbs or fuses with the eristing bionics. In either C:ISC:, the bent'fil:S of bionic limbs
arr subsumed in the ad\'llntages ofbrroming .a Daemon Prince:. DAEMON PRlNCES AND GEAR Although Oxman Princes wiel.;:J neu-limidcss
po'\\'Cf and arc beyond such morul conccms m p:ijn and d(':lth, they do f:weccrtain limitttions, primarily as: a rt"SJ!t of thcir incrtascd size. ln :addition co the problems posed by small space\ the main drawb3dt is a restriction on the «JUipmcnL and \\'Capons chc Daemon Princc- e:t.n tiSC. Fot most di:unpbns of Chaos, sudl conccms pale in comp:i.rison co the rew:uds of Apotheosis. Doe to their size, Daemon Princes ha"<' significsnt tcsttiction:.s in the it use of \\•capons,. armour, and other gear. This is ultimiltdy at the dis:ctt-tion of the Gl\.1, but -as a guideline, O:lcmon Prin
K?'
APoTHEosrs AND GIFrs OF THE Goos Althoogh it may resemble its pl't'Vious form in many w:ays. a Daemon Prince is no Songer 3 aeatlJtc of flesh :and blood. The mut3tiora that amictcd the mort31 fr3.lt!IC, for good Of ilt vanish, though they might be echoed in the new form. Upon his ascension, a Daemon Prince may choose to rtmove any number of his Cifts of the Cods ofhis choice; the etfects oC the chosen Gifts, positive and neg.itj'"· arr removtd ITom the character. Foe C3di Gifi of the Gods he tcmovcs in this
Upon joining tflc infema.I legions, a Dncmon Prince k.J..-es behind many trappings of his fotmer cxistencc, from equipmcnr to 3flics aod con,tacts, and pcthaps cvcn his most loyal follo\\'CfS. It: is perhaps ironic that a Herctjc who has spent his life acquiring follov.·c-n and building a warlnnd for the go~I of becoming a ~emon Peine<' might lind himself -ab:indoning those very mort:tl follO\.-.·ers to lead dread legions of D.iemons. 1\1any Minions dt.1< might accompany Hctt'tics are less nppropri:ltc for a. Daemon Prince. This might be because the D.:ae111on Prince nov.• t:r:lvtrscs c.n\ironment:s dut are lethal to 1nottals; because lit finds itsdf in need of more potent fo lki....'<'ts. or simply because those \\•ho it once cons.id<'ftd its loyal folio\\
Acquiring D'aem onic Minions
ADVANCI N G ASA DAEMON PRINCE Daemon Princes continue to gain lnd spend c-x-pcrirncc points just like any othe! Heretic. How<"Vl?r, as 0 J(mcns., Daemon
Princes consist of the \'Wf esse ntt oftheir patron Chaos Cod. Therefore_.. Daemon PrinctS are always Aligned to cbc:ir patron dc-ity. Dacmon Princes do not chcd Alignment, nor -can their Alignment ever cha.ngc, regardless of how many Adwn.ces they h3Ve putchased along any p;ith of Devotion. The xp cost for Advances is calcuJared as normal, based on the Daemon Prince's AlignmenL
FAVOUR As Daemons, Daemon Princes are crcarur:n of 1hc W:i.~ W3lking embodiments of Corruption. Con.scquendy, D:acmon Prin.:-es no longer g:tin Corruptio"'* nor an th.cy decrcasc it; thc·it Corruption is pc-rmanently li.xed at (00. lnstoid, Daemon Princes gain F3\·our, ttptescnting their pos.itioa in the- eya of their god, v.·hich tnnslatcs into ln<;rc-3Sed power over the \Varp and mastery of their own Daemonic abilities. Like a Characteristic, Fa\'our is mcasurc-d on i s~Je of 0 to 100. Unlike Infamy or Corru;ption, when a Daemon Prince leverages his Favou.r to obt:1ia nev.• abilities, it dccrc:LSCS his current f;JVour total (sec Usin g Favour,on page 68). Unlike Corruption, which an be gained as a rtW':lrd or as a punishment for 2 fuiBng. Favoo.r is always a positi\•e thJng. H o...,·~. a Daemon J>rincc who fails his p:iuon can lose- Favour, as his god tnkes bucks mcasu~ of the po'>'·cr and a11thority over the \Varp prt'Viousfy grJntC'd to the Daemon Prince. Daemon Princes continUC" to g3i~nd losc--lnramy :as noml31, representing thcjr repuwtion in the eyes of both mortals and thci! fellow Daemons. Hov.·evcr, us befits chc-irnew stat~ 'he expectations on O.aemon Princes, both in the e~'CS of moruls 11nd the gods. 3t<' higher. Conseq11ently, Daemon Princes mu.st gc-ncraJJy accomplish suitably mon: impressive fe3t.s th:.n a mortal in o nkt to gain
instead of following the nonnal lvlinion creation rules, upon gaining a new i\1 inion of Chaos T:ilcnt or repbcing an existing t-.1inion, 11 Daemon Prince c:an select an appropriate lesser Daemon NPC from the BucK CRUSADE Core Rulebook or a BucJC. CRWAOE 5ti.ppfement,subject totheCM'sapprov:il The Minion pom':SSCS all the Char:ict«istic V3lues, Talen ~ Skill~ Traits, gear, and special rules as described in the NPC <'tltry, and the player cannot choose 11dditional ekments C! modify the entry. Unlcss the CM decides othc-twisc, 3 Daemonic Minion must h3\o'C the same patron deity as its master. A Dlemon Prince can ttpl3Ce 3ny number ofcx:isting Minions with 03cmons at the time cf his Apotheosi.\ or can obtain D:iemon !\.1inions b ter, as normal for gaining t'IC\\' Minions or replacing fonncr 1\1jnions. ~::;:::~~'i'.7"'"'
the same amount or Infamy.
C•ining Favour
Oaeo1011 Prince of Khorne
As a fo,tt'most leader in tile Daemonic kgio~ a Ihemon Prince has the eye of his god far m
Daemon Princes of Khome :tre likely to gain Favour from acts of violence and bloodshed of all kinds. HO\\•evct:, the
or
TA1ll.E 3- 1, F,WOUR. J\FWAR,OS Act Glorifying Chaos Slaying l powetful champion of the lmpcffum, soch as a Sincc Marine Chapter f\\sster or Ordo M3lkus Inquisitor. L::.tding an anny of more;tl SCl"l.'3.nts of ChJ.os t~ victory io b.:tnk O'Vl.'r the forces of the f..r.tpt'r~um. drkating l riV:tl iD;icmon Prince in l:-;v:t.:.:· ~·~rt:iking a cult o-f ti riv-.:tl god. Li:.:tcfing ,.1 DJtmoni"c k:gion to victory Jg.JrCISt the fotccs of a riV3l Chaos Cod; ::orropung a .defcndrr of th.: lmpcrium. such JS ii Sp:icc ,\1:irinc G:ipufn o r Inquisitor. (OO'."<.·r~
Gain
SC3k should be appropriate for a Daemon Prince. Killing a single opponent is unlikely to be worth any P3-.oo~ unless it is a p:irticularly pov.'C'rful one, bu:t smashing 11part squads of enemies and ripping the hcan from an opposing anny could be worth -an')l\Vhere from 1-5 Fa\'Our, at the CM's discretion. In gc-ncrnL Daemon Princes of Khome cnn gain Favour on the battldidd, both for persons) deeds and fo1 leading annics of Khorne's follo~rs to glorious slaughter and death. Often. it docs not maner to KhotnC' \\'ho \\'ins or loses, 3S bng as gmu amounts of bkiod are s·piJk:d. E\'CQ 11 battle thst the forces of Chaos lose coold garner Favour for a 0-Jemors Prince ofKhomc \\'ho .scsvcd h.is god \\·e.11 (fd5-1 F.1voor n1igb t be :ippropriatc~
Daemon Pfioce ofNurgle Nurgk takes g1eat de-light in the actions ofhis Daemon Princes. l ike: 3 thoughtful pa~n t, the God of Decay g.ranrs rewards-and punishments-where deservt"d. Spreading pestilence. and dise3sc: arc amongst the primary methods by wh.ich 3 Daemon Prince of Nurgle accrues Favour. The acti'..ities must be suitably impressive for such a mighty being us a Daemon Prince in order to be \\'onhy of Favour. [nfecting :a single individual with a disease: is probably nor ~'O nh fa\'OUr, unless the highly infectious contagion goes on (O spread from that individual und infect :in entire hive cfcy. Bringing mom ls into PaP3 Nurgle's embrace in suth a manner is ""'onh an :amount of f;tvour b3sed on the sea.le of the epidemic, the ingenuity of its inception, and the severity of its outcome. fi:ir i:nstance. a plague: that r:tV3ges an entire planet, le.a\ting it a dead world of rotting biological nuttcr &om which new life can spring. might be worth 5 Favour or more.
Daen1011 Pri11c·e of Slaa11esh Conuary to Daemons ofK horne, who win t hc:ir god's Favour on the battlt"field, D:aemon Princes of Slaanesh ve \\•ellsuitcd to corrupting mortals, seducing them with the lure of Ch3os and al.I chat the Dark Prince offers. We.ak-v.ilkd mortals are likely to fall under a Sla:inesh Daemon Priocc's spell on sight, and so a~ unlikely to be worth uny Fa-.'OUt,
but a>rrupting powerful lmperi2l oflils •nd wmiors eould gamer SC'1/eral points of Favour. In addition, deeds of excess cnn g:ain SlaoSnesh's :ippl'0\'31. Erecting great \'OX-c:tthedmls in Y.'Otship ofSl:uncsh, instigating mass sacrifi ces, and other acts of extreme worship and debauchery gr.ant up to') Favour.
Daemon Prince ofTzeeotch &-7 Favour &-9 F.Jvour
10+ Fa1o'Our
Plots, conspiracies, and unchecl«:d mutation :u:e the meat and drink ofD:temon Princes oITzccntch. Schemes and machinations :ll't' ends in themselves fo1 the Changer of the: \¥.ays. for simply engaging in such aaiviries furthers Tzcentch's ends. The mon: grandiosc and compJex the plot, snd the oioce individ.WS it ensnares, both moml and Dae:monil; the greater the F.ivour it earns. Similarly; a.ny actions that allow the 'V:trp to spill 1nco «lllity could be wOlthy of F.rvour in the eyes. of Tttcntch. Rittl31s leading to mass mumtjons, a.manging for a Wllf'P Stonn to encomp:iss a world or system, and granting prof:ine. know~ to mort:i.I ~IV:lnts arc all potential soun:es of Favouc.
r From Compactt Oanaoo Princes an contini.1e 10 participate in ComPJ-cu. more dwa likct)= as ~ tnstipor or chc- Anointed. HO\\"'CYtt, • .t«h pottnt ~ Dxcnon Princa a~ .anl&dy to ukr plK< in Compaas of• snullct KOP< tlun 20 Eotctpris<. Ir they do. the G~t might chook to reduce the Jnfilmy l'C\'o'Jrd for lhc Daemon Prince chlll'llClcr {lM..il not for the other
p.irticipants, who might evtn rccti\'C additional lnfumy for keeping such iUustrious comp:iny). For Comp:tdS of appropri:ltc sc::ilc for a Daemon Prince. lhe CM can ll'""ard FaYOtlr in llddition to Infamy, if the Compact serves the intcrtSU of the Daemon ·s patron god. Ocpcnding on how much f2\'
!
Losing Favour Al: leaders of both Daemonic legions and mortal armies.. Dll<'mon Princes h~ I.he qic: of their god more so th:an almost any morcal sern..nL And ahhough O.acmon Princes ('Onu1uod unimagtiubk po>Att, dky mt.lit noncthdC'SS ever sedc 10 xrvc their puron•s intc'1at:I ilnd nQid his displeasure A Dxmoo Prioc:e ""ho &ils his pxtoa dc-Jry or acts against its wishes incurs his god's wnth. In the most cxtmnc cases, this might result in thc D.Jcmon Princc being banished back to the W;mrp for a time_. or cast adrift on the scu of the Empyrean. More commonly, it rcsultll in chc- Chaos God stripping :a .s1nall pocrion of po\\'Cr from the 0,1
TAllLE } - 2, Loss or- FAVOUI\ Failure in the Ey« of One's ~l£on Auisting a Daemoo of a tMJ god 1n • vmtutt thal d ocs aoc ako bctir:fic chc Daemon 1-2 Princr's pxron; fu.ilini: ro srizc an opponuniry f.a1o-'0Ur to (unhcr tht patron ,eod 's i ntc:rcsta.
fJiling in an undetukina in chc p.uron god's name; being defeated by 11 O:icmon of a rival god; being su.mmoncd {:tgJinJI one's \\'ill) or othcn\•isc overpowered by 2 "'Ort11I. Actions that di.rtetly imerfctt with or cont:radia the cencts ofhis PJ.Uon Cod, M:f\ .u • Daemon 5+ Pnnce ofK.hMnc dedinini: • nul"l.aal chalkngc F.voot or a O.ac.mon Plill« ofTzoc:nu:h. &Mn& a ""1lplctdy ho..... ..,_.. O> I -
Using Favour Alihovgh...., the mos1 strong-"'ilkd ol m<>Nl>c.ocunonly a m~lc- amorua ofrorurol ~ the muut.ite dfccts d cbc W.wp on char flc:sh. Daemon Princes arc elW.itica of~ Oum.. Whole _,,,1,.!'Picams of the Dm ~- h..-. boll< po-. ('Ntf how chci.r growing cocroption m:.nil'eso in muUbons and ocher blcssings of Ch:Jos, n ~emon Prtncc Cm1 channel the powt'r o( the Warp and the F\J\o'Our of hi.1 god as he 1ees fit. A !ntmon Prince may •spend" Htvour 1n order to obtain O;icn,onic Cifts. To do so, chc player .sclceu n Oac:monic Gift i1nd invs chc corresponding Favour cosc~ rcduC'ing hu current Fll'VO\ir by that amoanL For a list of Daemonic Ct~ thc-ir cog iR f1'YOUr, and a description of Lheit d'f'ccu, sec page 70. •• "'• "">' duong Ce.....Uy. pU)"" should spend O
.sow......
'° """"
Dismissing Gifts
o..cmon
Prioa an choose: 10 dismiu: • Daemonic Ci& • any lime (although ii is usuatty ~ done during the .iown.....................ns). When ... docs .., hr """' •II bcncfia of the gift. indod;ng Trus, T•lrna. or Skill> i< bcscows. The 0.-.emon Princ-c docs noc recoup «he F•YOUr cost of chc D.iemonic Gift; the price has already bttn p:tjd. A Oa-c:mon Prince c~n djsmjss Cifts of che Cods in the samcmannc_r (;alchough he only n:ccivcs Favour (ot doing $0 at the time o r ;\po1heosis. 3S described on P2i,!C 65) A
DAEMON PRINCES IN BLACK CRUSADE llotomong 1 Dxmoo P>mtt is a fundamtnul chlng< IO ""!' co a new o.r of powoet and int1umc<. Hmdc. f""Pdling
rum
p,.,..., ... 'f'<'C2lyp0ci0y pow
md
O..mon
or
P!AnNc A D AEMON PRINCE
BANISHMENT
A 0aCl'l)On Prince is unlike any other character a pllytr might comrol in Blxk CtUSJde !!yen the most horrcndous.ly m11tnted Chaos Space 1\13dnc i.sstill-a cre:ature of Ocsh and blood. On some level such a being is mortal Not so, a Daemon Prince. Daemon Princes -ate entities of the \1{31i': immorml and ephemeral. Just a · their bodies h3\'C uanscendcd lhe limits of flesh and bone, so h2W' thcir minds passed b~nd mottal reckoning. Ahhough a Daemon Printt might possess many of the convictions and desires that it did in mortlll Ii~. its perception and experience of the m3terial universe-and that which lies beyond-an: forever changed. HO\Ve\'C':r, the cdtoes cf their pn:vious .selves hold strong SY>'JY O\'C':t a D:i:cmon Prince. at lent at first Some Daemon Pri:nct-s continue to pu.rsuc lhc goals they had in moml life, lon_g :alter forgetting their original motivations.
As beings of the \V2rp. Daemon Princes cannot be truly killed like flesh .and-blood mortals. Ho14·ev.cr, like any Q3emon, ;;i Daemon Princ-e can be banished, cast baclt Into the depths of the \Varp Ctn ti I such time ;as il g;Jthers enough pov•« to again m.'lnifest in the materi3I universe. \\'hen a Daemon Prin-ce S1JfTers Critical !Damagi:- resulting in death, suffers Damage in excess of his \¥0-unds as a result of \\farp lnstabilit)t or is otherwi~ "killed,"' he: dtles not die but is banished back to th~ \\':up. A Daemon Prince can s:Krific< Infamy co avoid thjs f:ate, in much the sa.me \\'lY as: 01her Heretics an 10 avoid dt"ath. \l,'hen a D..icmon Prince is "killed: the playc:r can choose to permanently decre:uc his lnf3my by 1O+2d 10. (f he does so, the Daemon Prince is banished, but only for a short time. The Daemon Prince is effcctivdy power!~ for lhc remainder of the session, whik it g3thets its strength, and can take no fu rther PJit in con1bat encounters or similar sceoes. At the. C1\1's di.scrction, the Daemon Prince might be ablie to communkate with the other Hcn:cic:s and with NPCs, appearing to them in dl't'a~ or visions, speaking through -a medium or Chemonic c-mimry, or through other, even more esoteric, means. The: Dac·mon Prince cannot be banished again or <>thel'\\isc hat:mcd for the remainder of the session. Aftt:r the session {or at the beginning of the next session, dcpiending on the needs of the ampa.ign), the Daemon Princc cJaws its \\'3'f b:ack into tcllity. h is up 10 the players -and Gi\1 to detcrmjnc how this comes about,. but it should be :i suit:ibly rcmark3ble event-possessing a rogue psyket, h-3\'ing its scrvanlS ot 3Jlies o rchesll'\ltc a great ritual to summon it, 01 some other approprfarte e\'Cilt. Alternatively, the player can choose to f'C'd!lce hischaractc(s Infamy by 5+2d(0. \\'ith this o ption. the Daemon Prince tcmains in reality and is cc.stored 10 l Wound, removing :di Critical Damage-. Jt can continue to t:ake pare in comba:t enrounters and other sanes, but this also 1neans it can be "kiUecr 3gain, 1oqt1iring :i further S3crilice of l nf:tm~~ Regardless of which option he cllooscs, .a Daemon Prince that sacrifices Infamy in order to :l\'Oid banishment also loses an equ3f amount of Favour. If this reduces h is Favour to 0 {or if it is nJrc:idy O). the Daemon i>1·incc also loses one randomly dctcnnined Daemonic Cift. If :1 Daemon Prince docs not h.1vc- suffic.ient Infamy ro sacrifice {the loss of Infamy v.·oold reduce it:s Infamy to 0), or chooses not to. it is banished to the \Varp for an intcnninabk period. Although noc truly dead. the Daemon Prince has so faikd its god, or lost so much po\\'CI;. that it cannot again m3nifcst in «alspacc for ccnwrics_ millennia., or longer. While time has little mC3ning in lhe \VMR- for purposes of the gsmc, the Daemon Prince is assumed to be b3nis:hed for a long enough period that it pl:iys no further part in the cur.rt.nt campaign.
Daemon Princes and Other Heretics Daemon Jltin
mighty cndtit:s and, C\'C'n in the.Screaming Vo-nex, likely to inspi~ letror oc. worship (or both) where\'er their dreadful footsteps fall. Th«e are times when 3 Daemon Prince might simply not be able to go where othe-r Hcrc:dcs can, or to do so mrght undennine the group's \'Cry intentions. \Yhcn subdecy is aUed for, a Daemon Prince is problematic. D:icmon Princes might not alw:i.ys be: able to acco-mpany the other Herctia. Th.is could be for telSOns of discretion as described above. \Vbcn this happens. [he GM should try to kC<"p theDae-rnon Princ.e in'lolved through telepathic rommunk:ttion Of some other method. Howe\-cr, players might h:r.•e to accept th3C '5Ud1 instances are just the price co pay for having sudi a powerful aod extraordinary ch:uacter. These c:ascs also SCl'V(' as a rCmindcr that the •ordinary" !-lcrttics Sljfl havt a purpose and certain adv:Lnugcs O\'Cf the D.:.cmon Prince ft an be easy for the othe1 players lo feel 1h:tt the Daemon Prince O\'crshadows their char:u:tcn;, d ue to its Prestige: and numerous abilities. MaKing the O.:temoa Princc's limituions and dta\\ backs a pa.rt of the ongoing na.rrati\1C is ooc: WJ.Y the Gf\.i can cruu~ che otbct Heretics: ha\'C a chance to shine. 1
The Great Game Daemon 'Prine~ mu.st constantly be aware of their st:ttus in the ~ of cheit patron. This is teOe.cicd mechanially in the Favout rules, bbt should also l>c incorporated in rolepl-aying. A o,.emon Prince is a IC3der of his god's Daemonic forces, and has 211 high visibilit}' As-well as the ad\'antagcs that come with grca1rr power. this has the disa.'dv:intagc of his god being mon: likrly to notice and tespond to any failings on the Heretic's part. The Cf\.1 3nd player .shouJd keep this in mind, using it ~h to .drr.t ro1epl.aying and
4
DARK ENDOWIDENT "'T})( wryJ~ ofC6rJMflow in my W'inr. f1lotbing '4.R srop mt n01P!"
- Ar'xok the Biuer1 031k Apostle o exisc -as :a O:iemon Prince is to live :as a mortal made something more, and to embody chc dark machinations of the Chaos Gods. The fe''"' infamous cnoogh to ~ to this rank lm\" been givtn the Dark Cods' ultim3tc: gift, and the rcwards for such :service a~ grc:it This section rovers Daemonic Gifts,. po\\'Ccfu] new abilities available only to 03('mon Princes.. Each Daemonic: Gilt can onfy bl!' sdw:ed once unkss noted~
T
UNALI GNED GIFTS All Dnemon Princes sv.·car loyalty to one of 1he 0 Jrk Cods of Ch:10s ~'tt even the most d iamerriaJly opposed Princes migh1 exhibit si:milat characteristics. D·ark aur.is, Daemonic weapo~ and great sweeping \\'ings appear on miny Daemon Princes. no matter which ruinous master the individuaJ serves._ Any Q3emon Prince can choose Un.iligned Gifcs.
TABLE 3- ~' DAElllONC Gins Unaligned Daemonic Gifts Gift
Cost
AnnourofChaos
I~
D:iemonic Aura
"
03emon1c Fl ~gh1 Daemonic Rune Daemon \Ve:ipoB lmmonal A:lv.l'f Khornate Daen1onie Gifts
10 f)
20 IO
Ci ft Adotned lO Brass Hellfire Gaze. Khome's f 3vour
Cost
Lord of War Ob..sidian Sur S.Laanes:hi Daemonic Gifts Gift Ecst:ati~ Devotion Lord of V"rvacicy
lO
,." fj
" C.ost
Siren's Call
6 12 18
Sla:i.nesh's Favot1t Soul Shti\
12 f)
ARMOUR OF CHAOS The Daemon P'rince's armour glows Y.' ith unholy pov.oet, contorting to take a fonn no mortal could ('\'Cr hope to \\'e.31~ The Daemon !Prince g:ains 12 Armour Poin~ on all locations {rcpl.acing existing armour~ The 3rmour gains additional properties based on the Prince's alignment {sce Upgrades on pages t 77- l 78 of the Bu a. CtwSADE Core Rulebook): Khorne~ Vicious spikes grow from the armour. The armour
g.iins the Spikes Upg.-..lde. Slaancsh; The :armour gleams and tcOects incoming light. The annour gains the Refmctory Upgr.lde. Nurgle: Oi.she\'e lled and crncked, the armour fa lls 2Way'When d3magcd only to scab O\'C'r and heal itself after feste ring for a time. The armo ur ga.ins the Abl:itivc: Upgrnde. This Ablativt' armour repairs automatically ar the sta.rt of each game session~ Tzeentch: The armour changes of its own accord to btuer ptotcd the v.·e3rcr. The annour gains the Ccr.amitt, Insulated, and Thmnal Upgr3des.
DAEMONIC AURA A crackling glow surrounds the 03cmon Prince, absorbing or turning aside e\'c n .the mightiest blows. The Daemon Prince gains a Force Field with a Protection Rating of 30 tflal never O \'erloads {see page 178 of the Bua OwsADE- Core Rulebook).
DAEMONIC FLIGHT T~'O massive wiogs burst from 1he Daemon Prince's back. The Daemon P.rince gains 1he Flycr {X) T ra.it, whcte X equals twi« che Prince•s Agility Bonus. \Vings take forms dependant upon the Prin.:c's patron, such as featheced wings for Tzeentch, oc the wings of ea Oy for Nurgfe, but 3te 3IJ funcdonaUy identical.
DAEMONIC RUNE The Daemon Prince bartS an o nhol}' rune of immense power that 3Cts as a tether and sustains his fo rm in the mottal realm~ Once pet session, th.e D:iemoo Prince may spend an [nfamy Point as a Ftec Actioo to complctel'>' negate one- hit rhst would be inflicted on him.
DAEMON WEAPON The Cods of Chaos grant the Daemon Prince a rare prizc: a mighty Daemon \\'capon! The Dlc:mon Prince gmcrntes a Daemon \Veapon based on· 3 weapon in his possession :ind bo-und with n O:ic.mon ofltis choice (Stt pages 194-102 of the BocK CRUSADE Core Rulebook). lhc dioscn type o f 0 3tmon most be cithu Uruligncd or
Alig""d wi1h 11>< """"Ch' °' Cod ,. th• D:!
IMMORTAL PowER The Daemon Prince channe ls che energ)' of thf: Warp. enhancing h is alreaa y unn:itural abilities.
The Daemon Prince scleca one o f the fo11ov..ing Traillr Brutal Charge (X). Burto\\'Cr (-X), Crnwler, Rcgeottation (X). Stun:l}i Unnal'ural Chat3:cteristic {X~ Unnacural Senses (JQ;. Thccosc in F3VOut is [0 for nTraitwilhoutan X value, aad cost for 3 Trait with :in X value: is the y.due of X the De Prince desires multiplied by lO (e.g. Unnatural Agl~ would cost 60 Favour). A Daemon Prince can select this multiple: times, but caMot choose tht' same T~ once and cannoc choose a Tr.sit he~lrndy
pot..,,..,,.
KHORNATE GIFTS
SLAANESH I GIFTS
1hc foUowin._g Gifts arc for 0:1iemon Pri~es ABgned to Khorne.
The following Cif:ts are for Daemon Princes.4.ligned to Sl33ncshd
ADoRNED IN BRASS.
EcSIAnc DEVOTION
Khorne grants his f21o'OUrcd sc:r.'ant a suit of glt'3ming brJSS :1rmou1 etched with .symbols of f!O\\•er.
The Daemon Prince's mer<' presence fills his followers with wave:s of delight. They h:ing on hjs every \\'Ord, willing co do his bidding with no concern-for life or ljmb. The D:u:mon Prince gains the Unholy Dc:votion Talent and doubles the number of Minions he can have. Additionslly, he may t3ke Minions 3Jigncd to 3no1her Chaos Cod, although these minions ignore the Unholy Devotion Talent and suffer a - JO pcnalty IO Loyalty TOSIS.
The 03emon Prince g3ins 8 Annout Points on his Arms/ Legs/Head and l6 Acmour Points on his Torso (replacing existing armour). The armoul' grants a + {0 bonus to Tests to resist Psy
HELLFIRE GAZE The Daemon Prince: channels his rage and hatred into a searing-l:ince of crimson Warpfire. The Daemon Prince g.iins a \Veapon with the listed profile (see ?Jgt: 73). HeJl6tc Gnc: never Jams. cannoc be Disarmed or .kstroyro. :ind requires no hands to ose. KHo&'l:E's FAVOUR The Daemon Prince l'<'C-cives a lcssc-r boon of Khome that,
whilst stiJI powerful, acts as a remiod<"r th:nt neither mortal nor Daemon s1ands above the Blood God him.sci( The Daemon Prince selec:i:s a single Rcw.itd of K.home {S<'e p:t~ 301-10~ Bl.4cK CRUSADE Core: Rulebook) from the foJlo\\' ing list: Collar of Khome, Daemonic .Name, F:acc of Kh ome~ Flesh-Fused \Veap.on. Hand of Khorne, Purity of Aggression. He can select this Gifi multiple time~ bul cannot choose a ~\\·ard he already possesses.
L oRDoFWAR Infused with Khornc 's rage, cbe D:1emon Prince embraces his role :is an iJVat~r of the Blood' God. The Daemon Prince selects a number of TaJents equ3I co his.current Vt"C3pon Skill Bonus from the following list: Battle Rage. lkrscrk Charge, Blood God's Con1empl, CombJt Maner, Crushing, Bio"'• Flesh Render, Ftirious Am:uh, Killing Scrikt:, Thunder Qi3rgc, \Vhirlwind of Death. Additionally, the Daemon Prince cannot~ the Disengage Action.
O BSIDIAN STAR .Many Khornatc Chn:mpions boe2r the Collar of Khornc; but it is a symbol of sctVitodc-; anadommcnt fi t for a pct, not 3 (oyal vassaJ who h:is proven his ferocity time and rime again in blood. Encrusted only to the mostd ediC31ed Daemon Princes, rhr Obs.id.iao Star protects its we;trcr against the co'N3rdice of pYkca far more dun any sla-..-e's colJar. P9ykcn within 64 metres- of the Daemon Prince h3h'C' '"'lbcir Psy-R.mng (to a minimum of 1) and Force \Veapons the Force ~lity. Addftion21l~ any character Aligned ro within 64 metres of the Daen1on 'Prince (including Dacmol:t Prince himsc-lf) gajns -a +40 bonus to resisting
e........
LORD OF VIVACITY Drowning in exec~ the Daemon P.riru:e gains speed as he socks the nex1 euphoric extreme. The Daemon Prince selects a numbe.r ofTalents equal to his current Agility Bonus from the follow·ing Ii.st: Assassin's Strike, C3tfall. Crippling Srrike, Hard Target. leap Up. Ljghrning Reflexes, Pretcm:uural Speed, Radi.ant Presence, Rapid Reaction, Sprint Additionally. during comb.3t encounte~ the Daemon Prince C3nno1 use the same FuD Action or paj1 of Haff Action.s that he oscd during the pn:vietUS Roond.
SIREN'SCALL The Daemon Prince's voice t3kcson such a soothing tone.that even the most vengeful ad..,emries st3nd utierly incapable of attacking such a majestic creature. The 03emon Prince g.iins a +40 bonus to Charm Tcscs.. As 3 Foll Action, he m3y call to a single ad\'Cf'Sllry jn line of sigh1. If the 1argct fsil.s an Opposed Charm vs. WiUpoy,·e.r Tc-st, it loses the ability to target the Daemon Prince with any attacks tOr a number of Rounds. equal to 1he Degrees of Failul't' by which it lost 1he Test The target can :ipply any bonuses to this Opposed Test that would apply to resisting 3 pS)·chic attack against it
SL'\ANESH's FAVOUR The Daemon Printt rt'cejve:s a lesser boon of Slaanesh- that, Vt'hilst stimulating, provida only a hinl of the U\lt delicacies the Pleasurt: Cod provides. The Da-emon Prince selects a single Rc•.vard of Sl3sncsh (sec pages 299- JOO of the B LAat CRUSADE Core. Rulebook) from the fol)owing liS1: Daemonic Name, F3ce of Sla'3nesh, Hermaphrodite, One Thousand and One Senses. He can select this Cift multiple rimes, but cannot ..:hoose a Re'N3rd he already possesses. SoULSHRIVE To a Daemon, nothing easies as sweet as the soul of a morllll, and the powe.r to simply plod 1hc living- essence. from lln unw itting vjctim is one ofSlaanesh'.s gre,atestgifis. The Daemon Prince .gains a \\'C:apon with the listed pro6Jc(scc page 73). Soul Shrive. neo.t:t Jams, annot be Disarmed or destroyed, and uqufrcs no hands to use.
NURGLESQUE GIFTS
TABLE 3-4, D AEJJIONI.: GIFIS (CON'!)
The following Gilis arc for Daemon Princn AJigned to Nurgle~
NurglesquC' OaC'monic Gifts
DEATH'S HAND
Gift Oeaih-'s Hat1d
One of the Daemon Prince's hands S\\'ells and d rips with "111 manner of fetid ljqllids. gas~ and slimes.
The Daemon Pdoce gains 3 \\·capon with th ~ listed profile {sec pagt 73). Death's Hand can no1be Disarmed or de~d. and docs not prevent the hand from performing other bsks._ The Dae1non Prince chooses which h3nd gains this Gift.
LORD OF DECAY f\.1ut2ted and twisted alm~t beyond recognition, the Daemon Prince sunders cvcrything in his wake. The Chemon Prince SC'lects a number of Talents/Tr:tits
Looi of O;ecay NoxiO-us Touch Nu~·s
Favour
Unbreak:ible
annot usc the Run Action.
t-Allhough 1/Jry "1'C 1J0< hw1:an. Nurg!t Dr.tmon Printts pmaict 10rcay t}µ al!O'Ws this ritUlf.I ro fimction. ttThr Dat111M Prin« .11111)' srlttJ Wis T.1.lrn1 J nmct tach u'mt rottn.ting rouYlr.ls his mlfXimum r.u1nbtr ofci)osrn Tal-tnts!Tmitt.
up'"
)
l> 7
14 2()
Tv:c,ntchi:an Daemonic Cifts Gift
Cost
All:3Re Wisdom Lord of Lies Spectral Bl:lde Tzeen1ch's F3\'0ur W:upfi~ Nimbus
30
equal to his cunrc-nt Totfghncss Bonus (including Unnatural Toughness,. but not bonuses from the Daemonic Trait) from the fo llowing list: Baleful Dirge, Corpus Convcniont. Disturbing Voice, Fear (+ 1), Hardy, Si:z.c: (+ l), Sound Conscitutiontt, Troe Grit. Additionally, the Daemon Prince
Cost
20 20 9
2>
NOXIOUS T oUCH RiddJed \vith oo\ISC3dng disc3sC'.s., touching the Daemon Pri.ncc's skin causes instant infections. The Daemon Prince gains the Toxic (4) Trail and his. unarmed ana
the Plague God provides. The OaC'mon Prince sek-cts 3 singlc-Rtwatd of Nurgle(See pages 300-301 ofthe Bua CRUSADE Core Rulebook) from the following list: Cotpulenl Immensity, Daemonic Name, Face.' of Nurglc.', Nu rgle~s Rot. Nurgling Jnfestarion. He.' can sekct thi$ Cifi multiple times) bu't cannot ch~ 3 Reward he already posSCSSc.'S.
UNBREAKABLE S"'Clling to m
The Daemon Prince increases his Size by (, gains l 4 Xrmour Points on all locations (replacing existing armour), the R.q.cner.uion (7) Trait, and ignores Difficult Terrain when moving. He reduces his Agility by 40 (to a minimum of 7). 1lnd cannot make E\.'.llion TestS: A Daemon Prince with this Gift cannot use or benefit from Daemonic Aighl or the Unnarur.al Agility Trait
TZEENTCHIAN GIFTS The followingCifu1U"e fot 031C'mon Princes Aligned to Tzcc.ntdi.
AllCANll WISDOM The unJimitcd knowledge Q( Chaos noods the D-aemon Prince's mind, gr.anting him knowledge beyond his ken and beyond his control. The Daemon PrinC:C' gains Rank 3 in f:lt'«Y Common lore, Fotbidden lore. and Scholiutic Lore Skill Once per session. he may expend an Infamy &int to .autom3tically p3ss 11ny singic Lott Test with 9 DcgTI.'cs cf Sti.ccess. Each time he uses a lore Skill roll (d I 0. On -a result of 9, he C3nnct use that SkiJI untjJ the end of the scs:s:ion. lol'C" Skills already higher th-an Rank 3 rem:ain-at their current Rank.
TZEENTCH's F AVOUR The Chemon Prince recC'ivcs a kssc.r boon of Tze«1tch that provides the smallest hint of the Architect of Fate's grand plan. The D.aemon Prince selects a single RcW'lU'd of l'zeentch (Stt p.1ges 102- 103 of the BucKCltu5.AtlE Co~ Rulebook) from the foUowing list: lliemonic Name, Foce ofTzCC'n.tch, Flaming Ann, Massi\'C' fntellect, Warpsmith. He mn ~lect this Gift multiple tim~ bcit cannot choos<- a ~'llrd he already p
W ARPFIR.E NIMBUS A shining vortex of multicoloured Ii~ whips around the Daemon Prince, protecting him from h:tnn. The Daemcn Prince gains a Poree Fickl with 11 Protection Rating equal 10 his curttnt l ~I of Favour (to a mjnimum of 9). lkcalculate the Protect.ion Rating as the Daemon Prince spends and receives Fa\'OUt'.. The Field Ov~rloads on any rc5Ult that is a multiple of 9 (so 9. 18, 27, and so on). While this- blazing nimbus .surrounds him, the Daemon Prince's unai:lnC'd attacks gain the Flame Qoolit}'.. but he aulomatic2Uy f-sils all S(eahh Tes-IS with ld5 Ckgcecs of Failure.
LoRDoFLIEs By focusing his energy, the Daemon Prince forcibly aJters his appca.1'.ance to th:at cfa normal h uman. The effects are fleeting, but such subtcrfoge: opens up many paths to deception. Once per session. the Daemon Prince can cake the form of .a l'l!gu}:t.r hum.an fagc, gender, and physical attributes chosen by the pl.ayer). Th~ effect la.-sts a. numbc:r of hours cqu:il to his lncelligcnct Bonus; or until he uses any of his Re\'<'3tds or Daemonic Gifts, o.r if any char:icter delects the Daemon Prince through an Arduou·s H:ard (-4-0) Psyniscjencc Tes t.
SPECTRAL BLADE Tzccntch gifts the Daemon Prince with the :ibility to ccnjurc
a blade of pure pS)
Jsttbelow~ Once per Round, he mayconJurc
TAlll.F l - 5, DAEHIOl{C GIFI' W EA1'01{ l'R.ORLl'S NA'll
PEN SPECIAL RoF DAMAGE SI-/ - 2dl 0+16 x 8 FeUing (4)> Flame, Melta. Proven. (4), Rccha~ JOm SI-I- ld!OF. 0 Shocking, Tearing1 Warp \Veapo11 ld !0+7 [ 0 Decay (7) (sec page 42) b-it:.~·;; 1d 10+9 R 9 Bll.:tn-ced, Force ~ .,.,~.."r. ~r..s r:ti~ an: 011! 1Jjammtminon andhal!C an tmli1ttilrd Cltp.Siu (if applirahlt). A Dtr
Cu.ss Helvy Helvy (i..1efee
R ANGE
20m
LAUNCHING A IBLACK CRUSADE
fortes o«otdin.g to an ins.crotlbk: agenda chac c11n fto mon: be opposed than it can bt undc-m:ood. E.1ch o( the- Chaos po..-.--crs dit('(b thc1t sc.rv:ants: tow:ards a unique path of conquest fiuC'd 10 lhc particular gifLS a:nd strn1llgcm11 chcy fn"our. No less deadly arc the campaigns. plotted by 1he U1,aligncd. for 21n)'Onc \\•ho can claim the title o( \Varm:risitr w1chou1 a Dark Cod 's backing mt.1st be a power in their 0\\-n tighL
- Auributed to \\ra.mwter Horus
T
he Bu.at Cam.t..oE Cott Rulebook introdua:s the possibility of tuMin: t iswsrvc W¥ dfon againsl chc lmpcrium as 2 sui1;a~C' Md1n1 to a amp:aign fot
high-Infamy H.,..ia. Although such • "'Jf cm b< h•ndW NJTativcly through the rutc, altndy prcsc:nt in the g:i.mr, rruy want a more dc1a1lcd w;i,y or tracking their annics and fleets as they te.nt down whole .s«:tors in their very
.JOmc groups
Own Black Crusade. The rules Jn 1hd M:ction arc designed
to provide c.x.actJy th31, from the a1uh cring of a foll in..'3Sion rorcc to ruing a.nd corrup1ion or lmpcrial ....wids.
CH OOSE YOUR OWN APOCALYPSE A H=IK's steps on th< P'th 10 clory .,. iocviub!y smpol by thci• ..,;,..i. tow.mis th< Ch- Cod.. .00 op
D EDICATING THE CRUSADE i\iuch liV • Compact. a Bbck Cnmdr on be ch' • i eo ooe of the """ 0 - Gods. I le ' .... th< Out Codi ... ~
pm1tt1M:oflhcwori
god,,_°"'""'
Tide of Blood (Khorne) A Black Crusade dedicated to Khome is s brutal campaign of sl:i~hter across coundC"SS Y.-ortds., leaving little behind but gorc-sook!:d soil and mountains of piled .skulls. lbe \ 1larmastc:r's forces reduce DcfCnder Strength by an additional 10 points .after suca:eding Ol1 '31l Opposed Confl..ic:t Value Test due to the brutal cfficien~y of the BSood Cod's w:iniors. Ho\\'evtt, when a Lieutenant betrays the \Va.rm.uter in the Trcacbery an-d Discontent step of Crusade Turn, an additional Host is lost to internecine conf1ict.
To JC':lld 2 Bbck Crusade dedicated to Khome, the \Varmastcr Hosrsand at le.ast thrtt landing Fleets.
~command at le:ists:ix
Campalgn ofSu&versio11 (Slaanesh) A Black Crusade dedicated to Sla.anesh barely 1cscmblcs 11 cradition:il \\'ar at all. Altfilough planets fo ll be-fore- the invading prncnce of the \Vam.iaster's hostsJ they do so th,:u1ks to the sub\·crsivc" influence of cultist networks and the 3flun: of witch-spoken v.•ords rather than marching armies nnd fired bombardments. The \Varmascc:r gains .,i.10 to Corruption Tau made lO Corrupl Territories due:: to 1hc cax with wt.ich his subvcnh't: influence convc:ns me general populaa-. Hov.'et.'CI;, h:e loses an addi1ion;tl Host whene\.'Cf an Opposed Conflict VaJuc: Test results in a die roll of doabl~ :lS prolonged conflim grind away at the: c:nthusi:LSm of the 0.lrk Prince-'s fickle servants. ln order to le3d ~ Black Crusade dedicnt«I to Skuncsb, the Warm:astcr musr comn1;ind at least three CuJts within Imperial space, as wtll :lS some asset appropriate ro r:ipid assaulc ind deployment {eithe-r- three or more Landing Rccts or 1.uniqueadvantagc such as 1cccss to Eldar webway routes. Sot Adjudicating Unique Forces on page 77).
fi!!!llll!lflcc rhe loevitablt (Tzeentch)
11bd5:Gillldc dcdicmd to Tuc:ntch
:ippc:s.rs co pick its
abdom. a lhe Archit-cct-of Fate allows his champions onlJ# aam:ru str-ongboJds of his e.nemies._ but at as M4i.Sttmingly insignifiont targets become
lynchpins in a Inn.le pbn SP3nning time as \1:ell as space. Ou-ring ~ch Crusade Tum, the \V-annaste.r m;ry select onc: Territory being fought O\ 'Cf and gr.mt his fo recs there +20 to one Test of any kind. Howevtr, the \Viirm3siter finds his plans being manipul.:ucd in turn for Tzcenrdi's insauuiblc ends. lo any Crusad-e Turn in which the \Vormaster takes advantage of this bon ~ the CM maysclect one Territory being fought over and cause the \\tann:aster's fottes to sulfcr - 10 to one Test of any kind, :is the Great Manipulator adv.anc~ -another agenda. In order to Je:id a Black Crus.:!de dedicated (O Tzccntch, the \Varm:tstcr must comm3nd at ICllst one Cabal. v•hich must be dedicated to divining the will of Tzeentch and cannot be deployed to assist in Territories on the Crusade Map. In addition, the W:u:mast« must command at least three Fleets so he: is able toswifdy redeploy his strength :according 10 the needs of the C\'Cr-shifting future;
Triumph of Decay (Nurgle) A Black Cnmde dedicated to Nurgle fights not only with weapons and armies, but with one of the most basic principks
or lhc:: univcc;sc-cntropy. The vanguard of such a war effort is not soldiC'fs or ships, but plague, despair; :ind decay:. The V.'3thoscs of Nurgfc pby the long game in ba.itle, knov.•ing lh:it all thjngs crumble in time. \Vith a little hc:lp from plagueships. and some judiciooss:abobgt,. the enemies ofctie Ry lord st;uve in their fonresscs as they ·find their supply Lines become 11 vtctor for new corruption. Focces opposing chc Black Crusade suffer-[ to rolls on Table 3- 7: Enemy Rtinforccmenu (sec p3~ 84) each Crusade: Tum. Hov.·CYer; the \V.1onastcr's foh.'"CS suffer - I0 to Opposed Conflict Value TC'sts during the first Cf'USJde Tum fighting in a new Territory, as they hrt-t not ycc had time to lcr their fu.vourcd we:t.pons do th cir work. rn order to lead a Bl3tk Crusade dc,dicatc:d to Nu-rgtc, the \Vannastrr mus! comm.and -at lc.:ist three Fleets, aod possess some me:ins of corrupting chc: lmperium's wpp!y lines (ei1her one or more Cults or Cabals dc:dic3tcd to tlllrgfc, or a tlnjquc :advan~ such as Pl:tg1Jc: Cauldro!Js. See Adjudic:ating Unique Forces on page 77~
Ex:11hn& nn:t.I :mea c.ootrollied by the: fie.ma CM polcnt.,lly I""" them Fkcu rt the: .wn of• Black en...d<. A Rcct iyp;c.Hy consms ofa lease oac po•
tr
Hosu 11ac mdlt and driok of 2 Bid Crus.adc an: the mighry wJtricw-..hoR: u:std 10 W2gC pbncury WW. They fft1Y be dill"
'°""' °'"" o(
THE DREAD H OST GATHERS Although tht tir.'OUr of the: gods Is impon;int to :1 Bi d Crusade, no Warmasu:r an hope to do b:rtde in lhe matrri.al rt'alm without umiies and ffccta. The l~ctttits might h-:rvc bttn able to :assrmble such l"CIOW'td ('N(t the campaign, or they
miib• O«d ., call mdcbu ...i IM:"&" lh
ex:itmple., planetary battles arc " 'On using Hosts. which can represent anythlng from w:ub:tnds of Traitor Legionnaires ar regiments of renegade (mpcl'lal Cu:ard 10 t« ming hordes
of b:lrN ri.ans from a \li'Orld such ts Xurunt in the Sac:uning Vona. Cu;ddincs on xquitina: chcsr :ibstr.letcd fon::cs (e<>!l
Sp.er Mlriaes or mming bortwt>n mbrs,
but they all Iha.re an appctik: for blood and dacrua ion. Hosu arc
Flttu and La oding Flccu
Cul1s
Aeons are used for one of two puiposes-to wage Naval ConOicts and to deploy forces to new Territories. A gi"t':n Flec1 c:an catry up to three IIOJts bc:rwttn Tc:rrirorics. The
Cul11 within the lmperiu:m can be wed CO v.'Clkcn thcde(cndcn: 1hrough s:Jbotage and rorniption. They prey on Mlpply lines •nd v.•e:ikcn the resolve o ( pbnc:"Lllf)' popul:ations. Tc:"rritoric:s with a Ctih d.cploycd to them &ufTer :i - tO penalry to OppOICd ConOiei Value Tests. In add11ion, 21~mpa to Cotrupc Territories with Cults deployed tO 1hcm 11rc c.asitt, g.lining + 10 10 the Corruption Test to do so. Culls can mkploy 9CIOSS thr Cnwde ~1.ap without \d.l.ftl Reas. a they eo-opt: 1ht lmpcrium's own Will madunc:' IO b • ; I ..+.ere they O«d ., g:> (.tchoogh they ... fiill .......... in n:dep~yuc:ru rate in ~ s:amc nwinncr u Olhct" ~ Foo
1~ .itu.re
of the pa.rticular host doc-1 not m:itt«, as elite forces
dcm:ind ncrommodations in ll'1Mpotl 1h:1t m:ikt" them as difficult 10 move as PJckt:d· in ICSIC't W11triors.. Some RcclS are dcsign:ud :is landing Fkcca. Landin& Rocu a~ Jess. dTcctivc in NJ.v.al Contlicb due to li.mdcd atl!Umrnt,, but each gn.nt +5 co tht Opposc-d Condict Value Tut in :a Tcrritory whctt •h
••norm.ii Acct..
°'
bidden and -set coverdy, :ilthoogh it need not be a litcrJJ cuJt fo the Dark Ccds. Alpha Legion sabo,eurs could count as s
Cult
3S
easily ns a ncl\\'Ork of decadent nobles serving the
Ruinous Powers. ln-gencr::d, t'he Heretics should recc.ivc one
Cuh for every pl;inct on which lhey halfc servants aJ1cady operating. If the Heretjcs wish to gather additional Cults to their cause, they must lever.age their Infamy. For each Cult added to their fottt.s., o ne PC must bum l poinrs of Infamy and succeed at 3 Hard (- 20) l.nfamy Test {using the adjusted value). The Heretics may atkmpl this as many ti.mes as they like, -so long-a'i they h3YC lnfurny to bum.
count as a Cabal on their own. The nss:istancc of po\\•e:rful Daemons, especially Daemons ofTzcentch,. might also count as one or n1ore Cabals \\'hen they focus 1hei r attention on the monal real.m. lfthe Herericswish 10 gather :1:ddition.1I Cabals to theircausc, they must leverage their [nfan:i)t ForC3ch Cabal 3dded to their forces. one PC must burn 4 points of 1of:amy and succeed at a Very H.ar:d (-30) Infamy Test (using the 3djusted value). The Heretics may attempt 1his as many times' as they Iii«-, so iong as they h.a\'e lnfan1y to burn.
lteutenant.s
The strength at arms of :t \Varmaster's forces may be .suppJementt.d by the powers of the \Varp if he has :icc<:ss to Cab:als '¥1'ith \1;hich to C.111 them do\\'n. Cabals arc groups of
\Vhile the \\'.amustCl'S wiU binds his forces together with 3 common goal, he cannot inspire, 1eN'Ori:sc. and m:aintlilin discipline :1:cross ~cry battlefield¥ For that, the \V:innaster ttquircs Lieutenants. Lict:i:tcn:nnts arc S\J.bordinate diampions of Chaos v.tio have sv.·orn service to the \Vamustcr in c.xdiangc
so.rceren:, wyrds, and ricualists \\1ho \\'ietd the po\\'er orChao.s
for • share of th• plund
to :assist the battles of the \Vaonastcr'$ Hosts. For every Cabal deployed ro a Te,rritory, the \Varmastcr may re-roll a single: Test of any kind involving that Territory eJ1.:h Crusade Tum. Cabals can redeploy across the Crusade Map without using Ft~ as they call upon Warp poruls and Daemonic sctVants to bring them where they are needed. Any sorccrous asscu controlled by the Hetetics can potcnti:IJly grant.them Ciibals at the sbn of a Black Crusade. A Cabal ~'Pially consim of SC\'tral psykers trained to work in concert. This could be a powerful sorcerer 3nd his ensla\'ed thralls_ a brood o f mutant \\'i:tch~ o r a cabal of self-taught wyrds. An espe_ci:IUy pov.'Cffu) psyker or sorccrous ally could
l.ic:utcn-ants are assigned to Territories being fought O\'
Cabals
LETTING THE GALAXY BURN E~ rht- gmites.t
\\'. unwkft annot :m::aulr lhc "'"hole of m,r lmpcrium .JI Ooct The crumbli:"I cdifia:s of thc: CorpscEmp
Shadow War: The Cali xis Secror To the q'CS of many among the Scrc.1mjng Vonc:x's mosL :ambitious leadtts, the C:alixi.1StaorIr11 fruit ripe for plucking. la milir:uy tts0tttecs a~ tied up bcl\\~n a dist:mt w.ir in the Jt1icho Reach tU>d a civil WM in chc ~Ion now knoY.'O as W Sj>..,..=l ftoOL Th< Scaor •it.: l>Wthpbc< of20 ltnp<'ri>I SoinL buc tus fx fC'WCf" :tic- defmdcn than di mrta migfu ~ p«Mck d!lt irs amotr locabon and diffiruk OJmd situabon. HO'M'\"U, die most c:aony ...~ M- llbo ~ of t\J.-o nsec:s .. lh< lmp
Strength I 00~ + 20 to Opposed ConOiet Value Tests~ cannot
be Corrupted). Additional TCffitorlcs in Lhc Calixis ScctOf can be lrrmncd by du: GM of' fo\l nd wlthin l hc D ARK H ERESY Core Rultbook and various OA• K loll;'am supplemcn(s.
The Dark Beyond: The Koronus ExpallU , _ ..t.o pm roe ambmous """"'l! ""
eo.p...Emf<"" ""
Ii>-,. of lh<
lh< Koroaus ExpoNI< • • prittlrl< Cods. WI>«< Rogue Tr.odcn and lh< rcgioni 1.1ncipprd worlds as a great bouncy. most warlords in lhc Scrc1mlnit Vortex arc more interested in topphng emptin. and sciting plunder than claiming ~n uncon1cs1cd prize. StiD, lhwnl'ling the lmpcrium's CX1'3nsion is 1 ''"oiihy ~I, and lhc Exp.1nsc :ilso hosts imny x:coos species known co provide c.llCcllcflt spon or "+.ose death pleases the Ru1no1.1s Po""Cft.. Bc~'Ccft Roe.uic: Trndcrs, Ork\ Eld.v, •nd the mysccrtcs of the pl:ICtk Iulo. lhcrt: arc enough challmgu 1n c.ht' Koren Id ExparK t0 temper~ a Bbclt Crusade. Whc:n tunninz: 1 Black Crus.ck in the Kofoftus Expmsc. Tmic.oncs 1n 1hc ttgion should poucu a Dncnda Sumglh
'""''°""'°a«
opproprialt
ID
rh
cxt""""'Y h;gh (wo&ls of th< Orl<-hd d Undttd-Undrcd Teet') to 1hc cXtl't'me1y low (planets houstng human l»rb:11ians easily rumC'd to the worshjp of Chaos). The cxcmnc divcrsuy 0 ( 1hc•c lnhabil:ants also may h ave unusu11l eJfeL'ls on Corruptinr Tcnitorics. For e:cample, the C M may allow for an incl'C:L$.Cd chl!ncc to C-oaopt barbaric: wotld1, while Otlchcld Tctri1orld cannot be Corrupted'" anyacnse: mc.inlngful to the \l{;amusra•s cfforu. In addition. the mysrierics o ( chc reg~ make kif- umt.m&e conditions. so the' CM an roll twice on Table l-8: Map Evcnu {xc ~ 8S) aod utc thr ntnl of his-··& if those opUcMul Nb ... be.., .-1. Tttri!Ori
-.bk
A Cluh of Cru5ades: The Jericho Reach By ~liing thtot1gh the rv.·isting pasap or w.,,.,,...scamd space. 11 as poss:ible to tra\.'d from the Scn:aming Vonex to the d isc.an1Jcrit+io Rc:acfi and emerge in the Chaotic: vortex of the Hndcx Anomuly. Herc, countkss lh.-cs are IOll nucmpting to rcdaim the fiallen might of the once-gre~t Jctlcho Sector. Tht lmpcrium h:i.s deployed the mjghcy AC'.hilus Cnas;ide to ~rake the l'l'gion, which somt" Warm:as-trn m1gh1 t11kc as a matJmer &o ~..., i1h :1 cl'US:ldcoftheir own. Kdl-cc:an.of~ Sp.c. Mlrin<>. T2u roloniRs, me! • ""'"""!: Tynrud R;,. Act< combine w•h th< """mg nnb of lh< l01p
\\'hen running a BL1ck C rusade in the Jericho Reach. Territories in the region sh oold poSM'ss high Defender Stctngths {40 or mote~ as no force survives long in the Reich wi1hout fonifying its boldings. Jn addition, Tyranicl· and Tau·held regions arc difficult to Corrupt, due to the: two species' unusual interactions with the Warp. Tests to Corrupt Territoric:-s held by the Tau o r lhe Tyr.anids suffer - 20. Successfully Corrupting a Tyranid-held Territory only yields I Plunder Point per Crusade Turn, as most such worlds arc quickl~· strieped of resources and life. As :a further co1npliation,. Dc:athwatch Kill-Teams h.a\•e a chaoce co arrh'C whenever an Jmpctial· hcld Territory receives reinforcements in chi.' Ern::my Reinforcements step of the Crusade Tum. When this occurs, roll Id iO. A Kill-team ani'o'CS on a result of 8 or higher1 granting +20 to Opposed ConRict Value Tests in that Territory during the fo llowing Crusade Turn. Possible Tffl'itorics in th-c Jericho Rc.ach include the laipcrial fortress world of Kad:ack (Pcfc.nder Strength 90), the dft fo,.,-_ of Samedi (Dcfen:dcr Strength 90, automatically Corrupttd), the Tau enc.lave.of Tsua'.Malor (Defender Strength 90). and chc redoubtable \V::uch·Fortrcss Erioch (Defender Sm:n~ 100, Fleets depkiytd here also count as Hosts during thc'Rcsolvc Conflicts phase, + I 0 to Opposed Naval Conflict Tats. +20 to Oppoud ConfBct Value Tests, cannot be ~~ Addilional Territo rirs in the Jericho Reach c3n be 1Ma'R!d "" the G\\i or foundr Within the Durnv.'ATCH Cocc Md various DEATHWATCH sopplements.
*•W>nnk
Nowhere to Hfde: Addit ior1a l Targets If th.c Gf\.t has detailed a new rt'gion of S-f'3CC not covctcd \\•ithin any of the W1t1tl-L\MM£R 40,000 RotEPLAY lines, this o n also be t3tgeted for conquest by a Black Crusade. Jn this ose, the Glvt needs to go over the information he h3s for this sector 01 region and d ctcnnine 3 few key (.actors. The military readiness of the region is a goo.d ind icator o f the 3\'ttagc lkfender Strength of its Territories, althoogh other factors such as the region's industrial cap;acily or che presence of notable fmperial Guard home Y.'Orids C3lll modify this. The GM .should also rry and find \\
One< th< W•nnasttt lus c'-n h• "'id- chc GM nttds "' pttp>« • Crusxlc ~\Jp fat chc ••'Fl
Territories
or
Territories :itt m e b:attJegrounds the Black Crusade, wherrlmpcriaJ k>yalis:t:s and foHo\lo'Cf1 o( ChlOS do battle for thr fae of a world. A giwn T('micwy usually represents a singk lodM<:lual TcrrilOrics can Vld should vwy within • qion depending on their o.Jnitt and value IO cht lll'lpMWIL Afitt all, che scaor apit.al should noc. f.dJ as nsily • a lfte'~ agn-~uld. cYCn onr due fttds chrtt .:sub-seaot1. P::anicubrty important or not3blc worlds might fuw unique ptopettics co -.sign at this point as wdl. such ':lS :a sacred Shrint World 1tu1 c:annoc be Corrupted. Of course, th.is o nly rd"cn lO io Corruption as a factor in the Nies for the Stick Crus3dc. Anything cer'I full to chc poY.'<'r of Chaos with sufficient time and citpo$ul'c, but some p;ittirularly persistent 'NOrlds mlY tl~ more o( both than i.s possible to ~·id c Y.'hile fig hting m lntct'lflclbr .,..~,of conqucsL
"'°'
°'
or
Warp Routes Key wodd1 within a rtgioa of tpt« USIU&lfy
Jbha:
•'"""'•K
P""'I"
should typically be a minimum of two such W:irp Rou te~ plus. 11n additional one Kir e...ery fo1Jr Territories. Thac arc mostJy for 1.111t by Reinforcements froim outside the tatgettd tcgioo. Ho'*-'C'Va', one of them should be nomimltd by the \\'mnutcr as his M""criog l'oinl. All bU initial r...., .i-ld deploy from thil \\1.1rp Routr oo the fust Cnmdc T~
Dl'2wing 1he Crusade Map The Cn.is=-dc 1\1.ap can easily br ft"pttsmttd as a drawing on a pie« of JCntch ~per. Each Te rritory o n bC' ttpracntrd as a bbtlled d0t or smaU circle. Thc:y should be 1ulTKlently s;paccd out on the paper to allow notes about 1hcir current sta.tus to be joucd down nearby as the Bhck CruSJ1dc pn:igrcsxs. Once the Tcmiorics arc in pl.:lcc, the \Varp ~ ta C':.n be noted by d"wing lines berwttn conntctcd Tcrr1torics. or from Tt:rri1oncs at the edge of lhe Crusade M1p
RUNNING THE CRUSADE 0ntt thc W.w-= bos w.l ""'his pbn& fi>t dw: b.K form liuf><. of the Bid en...x, • is time re. the _.,, 1txl( .,
'*
Th< W......,..t and the odxr Ho«tia " - -•allltd Ihm n:soutcci :and allcd in allies and minions_. :1nd now they Launch thtrr-*'h on the lmpcrium. 'The b:asic strunu"= used to run :i Btll(k Cno.adc is rc-latively simple The Hmtia chOC>&c a goal, and move chcir forces across the CMMlc Map over ia number of Cru.~c Tu1TG In an~ttc:mpt £0 och i~ it. Jn each Ctusadc Tum, the pb1ycrs mign cheir forces, ~i...e rhc eonOku where lfqt arc not P"*nt. and play th.rough key ~ntS :it \\'Nlt\'cr location f mm who
""P
S
""'°""
-t
°'
D
me
lmp
T HE CRUSADE TURN The~ Tum poettch m bar pmcs. c:adl ~ida J ftl.llfibct ofaddDonal- Th< pi..... of ihc CIUUde Tum.,.. D
Stn-ngth. R..la fi>t
""""'"'& """' ph=s ... c1cu;1oc1 bdow
DeployForus At the beginning: o( the Crusade Turn.. the \Varinutcr must deploy :iny forcts not cu1Tcntly eng,aged in pl:inc:tJI')' conftin. This includCJ 1111 his Aeets. Landing Plecu, Cutes, and Caba1" u well as any Hosts not already deployed 10 a Territory with Oefmdcr Stmigth rcouining. Hosts mi.1$"1 be assigned to a Fkcc ot landing Flttt with m:nspon apaecy ., b< red<~. U...1
'°''
Assign Leadtrship
...m
Mta the w........, h., <1
Nan i Confti
v-..
The results ofNawl Conflicts c:in influence the ground war ln a territoty. C>oring the Rcsofo.-c Conflicts phase, the sfdc -whose niwal fofCes won the Opposed Naval Con8ict VaJue Test gain+ 10 LO their Oeposed ConOict VaJuc TesL If a TC'1rhory h3S a Blockade Strength abo\'cO and :i Nawl Conflicl -was not (ooght iil this step, the pbinct's defenders ga.in + (0 to their Opposed Conflict Value Test in the !«-solve ConAicts phase just as if they had \\'On a Naval Conflict. lf thcte: is a lieutcn'llnl assigned to the Territory with experience in naval warfare (as determined by the CM). the Warmasttf's forces gain+ 10 co the Opposed Naval Conflict Value Test Also note that bonuses towa1ds Opposed Conflict Value Tests only apply to the planetary struggles of che Re.solve ConAi.:ts phase unless sp«ified otherwise.
Resolve Conflicts After th-e: \Yarmaster's forces have been deployed across the 1egion and any relewnt Naval Confl icts, the Resolvc ConAicts phase begins. In this phase, bloody war is W3ged ovrr the ~orted bartkgrounds of the Black Crusade as che Warnuster's forces attempt to slaughter all opposition. The \V-anna.~k'r selects Contested Territories across the Crusade Map and ~Ives lhe conflicts on them one by one. A Contested Territory is one to ....tiich the Wannn.ner has deployed one or mote Hos~ and which 1et:ains a Defender Strength abo\'C 0. In addition, the \.Vann:istt:r and the ocher Hctetics may in\'Ol\'C themscl\'Cs on these worlds(or even matt .secure ""'
Leaderless Conflicts ConAicts in a Contested Territory where no Lieutenant is pccscnt ate refer1ed to -as leaderless ConAicts. The Hosts deployed to these battlefields rapidly become disorganised, and tum to plunder and pillage over conquesL However, they rcm2iin fierce scrv3nts of the Dark Gods, and are stiU deadly to their enemies despite their prroccupations. Leaderless Contlicts arc rcsoh'Cd as an Opposed Test. although the relative strengths of the fo1ces arc used inste3d of Char.1cleristics or Skills (so that, instead of an Oppos«f Strength Test e r something simil.a1, the baule is h.andJed as an Oppo~·d Conflict Value Test). The \Varmaste~s forces h:a\•e a Contlict Value equ~d to 20 times the number of Hosts present in the Territory, while the planet's garrisons havt" :i ConAict Value equal to their Defender Strength. Jf the Warmaster's forces ""'in an Lc.oderlcss Conflict, they reduce the Defender Strength of the Territory by 5 for each Degree of Success on the Opposed Test Ho...,·cver, :t Host is lost for every t\\·o Dcgriees of Failute, or on a successful Test th:n results in doubles (such as 22, 33, or a similar roll). Led Coolllcts: Conflicts in ,a Contested Territory whC'!e :a Lieutenant is presmtarc referr.ed to as Led Conflicts.. The Hosts deplo~
Led Conflicts 3re rcsof..·ed as nn Opposed Tc;u, althougtt the relative strengths of the forces are used instead of Charac~rrstics or Skills (so that, inst~d of an Opposed Stttngth Test or something similar, the battlC" is handled as an Opposed Conftict Value Test}. The \V~nnlSter'.s forces h3Ye a ConA.icr Value cqttaJ to 20 rimes the number of Hosts present in the Territory. plus nn additionaJ 10 forthe l irotenant. while the planet's garrisons b:lve a Conflict Value equal to their Defender Suength. If the \Vannaster$ forces y,•in a led Conflict, they reduc.c the Defender Strength of the Territory by 10 fe< e:ich Degree of Success on the Opposed Test. HO\\·ever, a Host is lost for every duce 0 -egrt"ct of Failure, or on a successful Test that results in d ooblcs (such as 22., 33, or 77). Note chat p-3rficularly exceptional silc.::e» in a Led Conflkt an lead to 1he lieutenant invof..·cd becoming Oiscont<"nt and risking bcuaya~ as described on page 84.
Key Events During each Crus:ade Tom, th<." Hetctics h~:c: a ch:incc-to-makc a dtt:pcr impact on the battlefronts of their Black Crusade. At any poinc during the Rcsotve Conflicts phase. one 01 Ql(ln:' Hetecics may declare llmt they \\'ish to pan:icip.ate in a batde
>poinl5 or its Def
ColT\lprTerritori es Aff
Com.pt
Tetrit0rics phuc bcglns. In diis ph.uc, the W;amwkf's forctS '\\'ode. tO COfUOlid.11.e their g:tins and 10 cJedjcnc their battkfidds to 1hc IArk Cods. Tht philosophy cf Ch:1011 iJ tnsdllcd upon :.ny Jutvivors of the Territories bc-ing Cott1.1ptcd, •nd great monumcntS tc. lhc W.armastC1' and the R.ulnow: Puv.~rs art ettCu:d O\'Ct sites on« hdd sacttd to the Emperor o( i\1.ankind. J( rhcle dTora reach completion. rhr TemcorieJ become: Corrupu:d and provide~· ttSOUtu:s and rtCNitr (or the Bbck ~ u &hqt bttomc: dcdicatrd 10 tbr \\'a musa«'1 xrvkc. 1nc \\'amui:Rrr sd«tS Tcnitorics Vtilncnblc •o Com.pcion ..,_ th< C......S. M'f' and rnolvcs h;, cll'ons to CO
eon....cc1 (u ddincd under R=lw Connoc:u"" P'I!" 82~
or if iu Blodudc Strength and Ckfendu S1!'t'ng1h arc both at 0 When 11ncmpts have been nude: to Corrupt all vulnc-r.i.blt Territories, the Corrupt Territories ph3.«' en.cit.
Coatestcd Territories Corrupting• Territory over wh.ic:h battles snll \\.'Jgt i• possible, hut matt d iffia.ilt thin such efforts would be in the .bscncx: at ~ oppcauon. Ho-.'C."\u. .such :a fr2t grca1ly aids the: cld
..... ""°"
w.,.....,,.,....
OOl ~ d!ir W;ammtcr). Suca:ss indic:alCS the Tttriloty ii Conupkd w.........,"" w............ r..... win •• Opposed
Conffict Vahtt: TC$c within a Corrupted Terri~ d~ ~dutc the: Defend« St~grh of tNt Territory by nn :tddition.:il 10
points 3S cre:ichcry and defection dcplttcs the opposing forces. In some cases, such 3~ v.·hcn a Tc-rritory i.s the lonc·hcld stronghold of rlval sct\•:i.nt.s of Chaos, a Territory mny be
listed as au1om:ilic:11lly Corrupted on the Crus3de ~i:ifl The normal benefits of a Corrupted Tcrrilory apply i.n these cues. as the folb.vcn: of chc Oarit Cods art" fidk- a nd arr wont 10 follow the viaor cl a battJc ~ttn champions:.
Conqutrtd Tcf'ritorits Tcnitorics wi1hou1 IMng dcfmdcrs arc a simplr INllcr ro Corrupt. Eveniu.J!y chi: l....Gsc'I"' b.comcs • wmm run
or
the \V:umastcr, un1d mottal men c.annot gaze upon the world 's surf3c-t vdthout JOln~ mild. ln time, Corruption i.s cen;tln, Ho\\'evet, the dem2nds of war 1ncan th:at 1he \Varma.stet cannot res1 on such IQuranccs, and he must make s Vety Hard (- JO) Corruption Tu t to Corrupt: such Tem1orle$, ftpttsdlring thr (ervo...r he inspires and the po>4'('( his rorc:es lead to the W.rp. Suea:a rndk.ttn the Tcaitory ii Corrupted
Losiog Corrupted Territories Although the mm.peons infl.cntt of m. R..inoos ~ ... io v.ast, che stubbotn aucbc1ry ofthe lmpr:rium"s de(endtt. u: alJo inocdible. In JOfnC oun. these two fooces go ~d-t~ lw:ad as the fo llowen o( the Fli!IJC' Emperor attempt ro rccl2Jm wlul nO\\' belongs 10 1hc 0;1rk Cods. In any CruS3de Tum in which a Corrupted Terrl1ory began with a Defendrr S11cnach above 0 {excluding the Cr'U.Uide Tum in ....hjch it wu Cor1uptcd},
TABLE 3- ·1, ENElllY R,EINFORCElllFN I ~
TAnLF l -6, l'LUNOCR. ANO CJ\.USAOE FO~'ES CruJ>:ade Foree H-os1
J>lu ndct Point Co~t
Territory Status
Rt-inforeements Arrjve
)
Uncontcstrd
Id 10 roll of 7-10 Ji:l lO rolloi !ic .o ld 10rollof9-IO
•
Cu1t f1tt.1 or LJ.nd 1ng 11ttt
•
Lieuttnanl
6
Cabal
Conttstrd Al 0 Dcfmdc.- So
5
~"'
roll tdlO lfthc ruuh of the dit is equal 10 0tlowt-rtNn the number of Cn4:Mk Tums since bctng Com.peed in • itich it
h" m.iinuincd 2 De
°'
n,
Eumplc A Tcm1ory
"~h
a Moder S1m1gth of 0 A.css CNNdc Strength
tttti~ ttin(OC'Cetn(:nlS 1n the
ph=, brinK>n& la Dd'
Corrupccd on ll roll of 2 or lcu on Id 10, and JO on.
Assess Ci:usade Sttength The final phase= o f 1hc Crusade Turn de tail• what huppcns in 1he brief lulb: bctw«n batllcs and • laug hters across the C rus!tde "'°1:ap. ln the Aucss C rus:ide Stfength Phase, the W:trm:isrer Ls :able 10 recruit new Crusade !!area from TeNitories he has Corl\lpled, t n.d mu.st deal with the riW
\Vsrboss with something co
prove. Afiet aou:i. &thn:>ugh n ch step of the A.uni Crw.1dc Strength Plusc, the eurl't'ftt Crusade Tum ends, the eo&1nt ~ ont Slep doscr rowards the ttrnc l1m1t established for the \\'armas:rtr's c:h:rinocs Jit vkt~ Ji.nd it is time to .J(Mt again
•• rt.. Drploy ""'""' pluoc.
Drawing Ntw Crusade Fotrts Whik ti a.nny \ \f.lft'!Wltf C'ft:Jura 1hat \llliu~ forca he has when h< bu.m.. h • Blxk en.sad< can ,.. !um lh.....gb
his go.al ii r:tft'ty h1.1ru IO mW USC ol »Cb xa.ed fRNA ronqucttd '
11.doctriD11a:i ruh.sts. wywds (rmf (rom lmpcml .ihx:kks. and rwn 1hc apcu~d Yl:SIC9 o( 1hc ltrnpcml N~ an all
c....
..i.. bolsrtt rt.. ranl.s o( .... Blad. can be vuicd once rt.. New Cn.U
'°"
Ad,.accru co• \\r.up- Route lc.admg oif !he c...s.Mk M•p
R oll .\1odifiers -1 -I
Adpcmt co W.arp RoOlcs i..dmg ooly IO Can.p
Com.peed Ttni«>
Treachery aod Discooteot Though vibJ to the execution of the \Vnnn3Ster's ordcrti Licutc-rwits p resent :l risk to their m3Stt'f'S if they canno1 be kept in liM. Any Lieutenant who becomes too successful withotH being kept in line by frar 0 1 sh3t«i spoih m-:iy decide he is bcucr off opcr:uing independently from the constraints undt"r whidi tht' \\'arma~ter places him. If tht" Opposed Confli ct VaJuc Test for 31 Led Conflict in the Resolve ConOjcu phase: is wo:n by four or more &grees, the Lieuccnant deployed to th3t Territory bccomt"S Discon1en1. During t he Treachery and Discontent step, the Wlnn:aster rolls f d l 0 for each Oiscontmt lieuU'oant in his fo1tt1. On
a ttsuh of 9, tht" Lieutenant betrays him. abandoning 1he Black Cruswe, and leading lulf !he Hom (round
°'
Enemy Reioforc~eors Though lhc lmperium mob;liscs r.. war with. - -...... of plaxy-spanning butcauc!OC)C ...... uivWdcplc19
consult Table' l - 7: Enemy Rcinforccmeou. This can n:prescnt11nything from reinforcemcncs arriving from 3nothcr Tcrritoiy or even from olf the Crus:ade !\1ap. to an enlisting of milicill forcC$ or conscripts to defend a planet uDdcr siege. A Territory increases its D.<:fcnder Strength by ldlO (to :i nuximum of 100) if it receives reinforcements. ff die \\'snnastcr manages co deploy his for.:cs so that C'YCJY Territory on the Crusade Map is Contested or at s Defender Strength ofO, he i'" in a position to cu.t off internal rcinforcmients. ff chis occurs, only Territories adjacent to V.'srp Rootcs leadjng off the Crusade Map may recciVt" rrlnforcanents until one Of more Territories on the Crus3dc Map is uncon1ested and possesses 3 Defender Sttcng1h :ibovc 0. TAn~E
Map Eve nts {Optional) If the CM \\'ants to introduce an addition:al e lement of ch.nnce to running a Black Crusade, he can use Table 3-8: Map Eve nts. The decision whether or not to do so should Ix: m.ade ;at the ootsc1 of the Bfac,k Crusade .and kept consistent throughout. Jf the GM opts to 1JSC f!,iap Events, he should roll ldlOO at the end of each Crusade. Tum and add a complication to the proceedings based o n die rcSlllt.
1- 8, mAr EVEl)(l'S
Id JOO Roll Evom 01-4-0
49-56
57~l
64-70
7 1-76
77-81
81.-?0
No E~·cnt ... this time! The Dark Cods demand Slcrificel The \Varm:ister mu.u sacrifice ld5 Plunder Points to the Dark Go.is by the end cf the next Crimde Tum or suffer thc-ir displeasure. Failure to do so c.auscs the \Varmaster to lose I d5 l nflm~· and gain I C<>m1ption Point as a Failing. The Drl Gods sct .l goo.I for the War.master. R:urlomly select a Tenitoryoo the Crusade Map. If the Bbck Crusade can Corrupt it or reduce its Defender Sumgth to 0 within 3 Crusade Tums,~ Heretic gains Jd5 Infamy. Blood for the Blood God! The lord of Skulls demands sbugh1er from the Warmastcc. Hl'S forces m~ deplete 3 totll of l d JO;. 10 Dcfcnclct Scrcngth from Territories xross lhc Crusade Map U,• the end of the nex:t OllSOOc Tum oc be dri'.-'
THE lf>ES TI LENT W ORLDS "low hoa1'S (I.It empty, lirtle $Ol't'OTJ' Afl nrcw.~Jlyfoll to r/.Jt C,.,,Jfabtr. • "'""""-'"" • (illt uilou r plot.• -C..llM:nc Am.I. Placu«nrill
I
for bcrc, til:ne ardy flows In • cohr.rt:nt path. Cydopc:in stltw.rics, carved with un(:ithonubk runes ch• bum the .sou~ .sccm to pr
sun, contain scrolls dcpictin& civilisations thriving beneath ,.ti.rs th:at arc frcun d ouds thnt hovt )'Cl to ignite. There is only debate as to iu beginning, und ('\•en the most pc>"·ctful
Kl')'t'rs h 3\'C oot forcsttn iis ccss;nion. For chOSt" v.·ho follow tkt Ptst.iJent Loo:f, thoogh. such m»~ a.re of little concern. Wrth lhcir god thctt ;s lhc ccnainty "'"' all dimgs iu.. an cndong ond t
Dcc11)1. Flies cloud che skies, dimming native sunlight beneath
the \\'eight of bllhons of choking imccts. Mt" proudly tuks his: pt'S1ilent worlds where the~ is no lire but th:it which feeds upon decay. and Oesh morbidly continues ~I the point wh«c li(t' should Oec screaming from the obscenity ii hu become. Nurglc"a po" ·cr v.•axcs .and wanes "-'1th life 11.nd death, al\\•tys 1 1 st1 height just .....hen life and hope: 1a tt 1t1 apogcc. Ha P"a1cst pbglilCS emerge in these umcs. bri nc~ng the glorirs of dcewy chrvughoot the sun. l.omrun.c:rn atiU fwrtivdy ,.·hlspcr of die N'°"'is, one sum ....,, "1>t -.fly dn>WD
spoke or lhc gJCl!CI of crnpin:s and m1ah1cest or .....iord.J. Appc:iring ftom beyond the fanhcst tt3ches of the Vortex. n. &'cw in cncfg)' as it chomed across the Ant«iduala. Pestilent povrcd over worlds in noxious showe111 lcwving only c2pcring Nurgfi ngs and sonocom Pl~ucbcarers to t:illy the dead and the diseases that fe ll.:d them. h finally roared through lhe Proun lfcM and c.nuhed into the crncrc of this damned .nlm in a ('ft'ICtndo . . ""'ob
"""ospl"'u blown mlO lhc
"';d, ......,, only cold. -
llOm itwo Ladcu de:~ ' """ n.. .. ...i.....i """ _.;,,. ""'1d c1v1 ..i... &r. bcfi>uJona ...,... •ppcomf .x1u..c«1. """""' ...mt ..., ""' .space ch;111: Sl.lt'°"'nds thr: Yotter, and MW pbMG cnK•acd the ttccd1ngclfeca to rcm:akt tht> ~Im Yrt tho.: icfi bchMll., thtir 1oul1 fol't"o'Cr tou..:hrd byNutgle's mou~inl . - , COft:S
o( NlltCd iron. Pbncts wor
1'
t=vtn thc:y cvcntu~lly sucasmbcd, that lhtre II no1" t".XCtpc ror their god's inevitlble dominloa OWf' . . .
PYURULTI DE "Sobjm 1179'4. 1hu m.:nnr cx!J1bitunl•~ mandib/q P"""'fal ~ rtjla. JM ""'-/JilfJIJ •!I"""" dunlJf HAAd""- U11rdd -"""" ' ~"'fw<-.-.d tf,,..... ._. -'-bgos Bt0k>eis ~·ran Saar. now calkd !he Entomanccr
Pyuruhidc hnnes in the voi& like :a suppum11n' y,'Qund . A pustulant boi.1 amldsl the stut. • blight In space even amon~ the w:ril!d and tttriblr: wonders of the Scrtu'lng Vorttx. Chitdxd fOft'"tlet to Nurglc-·, ronang btcast. PygNlttd t standl
a: a shioilng c.xamplc of bis P'temJ11 IO\lle•.A fes'krin&: mnindcr tO alJ who .survey it o r the inc:vil;lbility of dC'C2y, the St3tC lO \\'hich all thinp must C\
comM
de.uh. consume lht unwary in mcf'C' momcna.. Ekncath thtst' poisonous clouds, the JCJf'S of Pyllruhide's legacy of dcstruccion cover its suii~ ce. A soup of mud 3nd Oesh, pulverised tnto :i neat liq1.1id st11tc by artillery boml:wdml:nts, ..,..,.the pbn«. R....mg hulks o( slutt=d ...,.i.s, APCs, ond Othct" •"af ruchincs dot she monss like islands Jl.ltting out of a SC'.& of roe. ;\lundoned t'"atthwoOO: and trench lines riddk the surface, JOBking bel'''C'CM ruined bunkcn: t1nd lwisted fotcSts of rustine: nizorwi1t.
Tw: SHININ G Cnu;s Nearc:r lhe centre of each .conrtnent, larger, more intact buiJdings begin to 3ppei&r. The ruins of Yo:·h.at once may ha\IC ~en cities emerge from the c-v«-pn'SC'nl Sll\OI o( pollutants Jod poison paa. ThiC:SC" nai.ns sund in swk concnst 10 the: rest of she plloc1 's Sltuenates. ~ uti: a o:srious dCiJtt of :artistry in the design Soaring to~:crs. ntYtN brokrn :a.nd blasted, speak of an ancicnl histOf)' that v:il ucd form over function. \Vide boulevards .ind elegant plat.ai suggest tha( onec a race: of b6~ l~ h
THE l.IvtNc SEA
>.v....,, &om the: ruined cibCI .-ith thrir cnip.a.tic dcsigN and ccONrict-otd sccrttl, 1utks anothcf- a.riosity. one of an ahogcthct more loothsomc ~ Pyurultidc possesses no ocnns. No valt expanses o( woccr scpJratt' the continents and .., briny d
CkKids or (oul, chitinoo1 bodit-s. ccasc'ksa 1riUioas in number. writhe bct.,.ttn the l:and ma.53Cs. A 1cem1ng mass o( life so hui"= as co be- incomprrl~nsi ble to norm:tl minds. it cnwls. Outten. 4nd squirms 1n £1ttt tides acrotS the face of du: planet. 1hc grca SWlinD.J att com.pldc ty 1nim.ical co
l1(e, comprucd o( coondess ~ that bite, sling. gy.•, or spurt, they •re Cllplblc of kilhna 3 human and slripping
the Ocsh from bone in sccondJ. ~ V:lriou.s Poit Tribes that d ....·c-11 on Pyuruhlde know to suy away from the roasts., bot cwn dlsunct: • no guar.ancrc of sa(~ Oo ocusion. me vut. living sea bu rwt'pt ia.bnd, likt 1 tSIJ nami of cRcptng death. Engulfing any unlucky enough to be caught in iu: p:tlh, tbcsc hideoos tidal Wl\'CS of clicking m11ndibles :tnd buuing winip wttlk unfathom:1bk dt:struction, before losing cohesion and dJssiparing, oficn rni.1cs iobnd. Survivors emawnc (rom lhcir nuk
c:ouncbs billloM of insect husk.l Despite the terrible fate chat :aW2its :any v.·ho :.pprooch the living sea, nuny foolhardy hc1c1ks ha\'C atc'd 1hci.r luck ac plumbing ils depths. Rumot;1n abound or bt. tclia. stllbk Warp gates and ochtt great treas.um langu.ishinc dttp wirhin the inSCC1 occ:an. Pinitc k>rds. and aspidng c:h1mpions of the !Winous ~wen. spc::ak of the (abled Tyraot 'r Cord and its lc~nd:ary ties 10 the planet Ocher, ...,.iscr minds instead talk of the mythteal C>.temon H1~ gtnt sp:twrun& ctwnbcn of ni~ proportions th.al consuntl y Mf1inn 1flo'ith noiso;e life. Birtioru: ofbrvac and pupae sud.le blindly at the a;li5'-C'ning notriC'nt pools befo re growing inl:o roul adulthood 2nd emerging lnco the sv.«:um. But worse. Chey ipcak of the tt rrible hive cc nt res ....·be.re the coloss:tl ~ccns nett, end.lies.sly p
Pox T RIBES
Despite"" i.ts c:au11k: sunosphcrc 2nd dea.dly ocans. Pyurultidc is noc devoid o( humm Ii(~ In (xt, it supports s popubtio n of simib.r sac 10 mosi other pbnds: in the Scre:aming Von:r:x ind. simibr to chose" pl:ane~ 1he ~x Tribes 1h:11 Ji\'e here h11V<' been (org.ed in thC' crucible of wffe1ing. Centuries ago, rwo distinct (acttons exisced on Pyurultidc. the 2nieC'Stors of wha ....""Id otK dry ~ the Pox: Tribes and • nee: of beings now rd"~ to as the Shining Ones. A. v.-ith • gttat tm1nymysleric1 of che Vonn:, Ot\\•h11 the Shining Ones
"'"°
were: and whiu bcca.me of them is lost, exis ting now only as myth and rumour. 1\1any believe they wCK 11n ancient and now long dc.d ..cc similat to the Eld.~ <>
the Vona by the whim ofthC' Ruinous ~rs. \VhatCYCt 1he truth, it iJ known that they v.·cre
;i
kchnobgically tdwnttd ra", posses.sing arms •nd equipment sim;llt co ti..t ol thc .......i lmpcri
a vicious 3ttack -on their hated enemies. At first, the Shining Ones technological superiority gttvt' chem a significant advantage. Agairost the simple \lo'C-apons of the Pox Tribes they S3\\' no re:il thrc:at But rhe Lord of Dccny's blessing grnnted the Pox Tribes a monstrous d urability. They \\'Cre able to withstand the terrible injuries before succumbing. end uring the \\'Capons of ihe Shining On~ seemingly without p.'lin or disability. Very soon, the Shining Ones v.·erc beginning to rettc3L The Por Tribes seized their fallen weapons 2nd drove them deep inside the citi~ exterminating them and b ringing the beautcoos towers to ruin. The fina l fate of the Shining Ones is unkno.,.,· n; mJny believe they V.'Cfe simply wiped out by the viaorioo:s Pox Tribes, but one theory suggests they sucvived by embracing the favour of the Fly lord. Following the- \!ictory m.'Cr the Shining OnC'li the: Pox Tribcs began to feud amongst thcmscNcs. A second w:ar brokc out as the once unifoed Tribes broke apart, unable to coexist This xcond Vl'ar continues toda~ centuries larc:r. The: death coll is be~'Ond counting, but this is no mindless sJ3ughtcr like those perpctr.tted by the minions of the Blood God, nor is this a t:tctial maste.rwork of feint and coonk'r with e:tdl side jostling for the advant:J:ge. The war on Pyurultide i:S n slow, ine.xornble march tOW'llrd oblivion, a meat grinder v.+.cre a thousand souls a d11y an: cast aside :SO one anny c:tn mOVC' ten fen of tcen:ch line. The technology ofthe pa.st is long gone, replaced with the mOSI basic bs :ind solid projectile weapons lhe Pox Tribes can .scrounge together. Sometime p3st the: tribes unleished dc-.Jdly viral and chcmic:i1 'Vo·capons against each other in an 2ttempt to g::tin an advan~. These awful creations, while pbsing co Cra.ndf.tlhcr Nurgle, ha\'C sotred lhe planet, resulting in the coni>si'" c:loudsof de;ith chat nO\\· shroud lhe pbneL Constanl cxposure to the causric air, :1: Lifetime of struggling stalemate, and Nurgle's own beneficent gilts has w~kcd :M•fuJ changts on die Tribes Mutations of the most rtpellmt kind are commonplace: supput3ting sores, cl:tWC"d
Li mb~ twisted b:ic~ and melted tlesh adorn every tribesman. r-.1.any h11vc become fused with their v."C-apons and c:quipment; diseased Acsh has grown 01\'Cr: g3iS masks 3nd trigger guards with a revolting fecundit)t ~i:i.ny tribesmen h3ve S'\.\'ollen to cnonnous size, becoming tumescent bulges ofrotting flesh ortowcring monsters of claws and oozing moscle. Amongst the most succ.css-ful tribes, Blight Drones have bcgon to 11ppnr. The arrival of these foul Daemon Engines i.s a mystery, with 1n3ny of the Pox Tribes bclie\•ing il is a sign of Nurgle's fu\!our, or of hidden Warp·infu~d m:inofactorurru. rettndy discovered. \\'h:ucvcr the: truth, the Blight Drones move across the shatt«ed laods.:ape S0\\1ng revulsion and death \\•hcn:ver they p:t.SS. Th('$C_ D:iemon-m:ichinc hybrids 3rc of particul:ir interest to one de nizen of Pyurultidc, a secf't'ti\•e figure of myth :ind f-abric:ation. known as the Entomanccr.
T HE MASTER COLLECTOR The cre1rure no~' referred to ~ the l!nrom'1n.:tir was .a.nee a: respected 3nd knowlcdgoble .Magos Biokigis of the Adcpcus. f\.\ech:anicus called Oevran Saar. P:trt of an ExpJorator tJeet, he was bskcd with c-ataloguiog :ind classifying ne~· species of Aora and fn.una during ch~ Angevin Crusade:. Absorbed with his v.'Ork and frcc-0 !Tom the petty concerns of mor:diqr and emotion, Saar excelled, successfully adding tho~ of enti::ies into the dat.:t\•:tults of h is fleet As the ausade pressed on and the Calixis. Scctot begJn co take sh.1pr, 53:tr's Explorator fleet gn:\\' too bold and VO)-aged bt-yond the lmpcrium's spcartip. They cncountc:.m:I a dev.asCating_ W:irps1orm that ravaged the fleet, ripping vessels asunder and scauering the survi\'OB "Scross- the length and breadth of thl g:d:a.xy. 5aar-'s ddcrior.Jting vessel Umped b:Kk into ra dcep ·with 1hc Scrc3ming Y-0rt~X-
S..'iftly aught by rcawn, S..r wos locky to csnpc wioh Ms Uk. piloting OftC: or the fl!'W' rem:tining tifcboau av.•ity from his sttickroshjp and down rov.-ard the ne1rcs1 pl:inrl. Pyurultide. Finding ohc pi- ID be cnbn:ly unsuil:lbl< for pcolongcd "'Po"'... S.., -ghl refuge .. I neari>y Noncd ..,,..., of smngcly ba~11ful design. ~ the next fcW d1ys., .Saar
SoLDIERS OF THE Pox TRIBES Eacl1 of the Pot Tribes on the (11ce ofPyurultidc is diffctcnt. Although united by 1hcit
ene:o&Jnttn:d soldle1'S of lhe various ~ Tribcs as they fooght thieir war wilhOYt end. Saar slew several of chem 1nd used " 'hat little cquipmmt ht had lcfi to ttbuild them into scrvitocs of a san. Scc-ing chdc-hon on. the Pox Tribes learned eo 2"IOid Ssar'.s tawtt;. CUGing it u h:auntcd or popubtcd by an&'Y lhemom. FMCinatrd by cl1c tribesmen's mighty cndurana: 11nd incrt'Jlscd pain thrcsl1okl. he began to 5Uldy them :as a n.cw species. Sa:ir's Life rontinued in thi.t w in for some came until he aKOUnu:m:i 1 atin.1m:i of the Livmi: Ses.. The blJtom ofio:scctl he wi d filkd him with .socncthing Sin io dAw raprurc. his mind s1UPf'Cd Jnd he b
or
biological ·~ disri&d fJOm their O'A'TI vdc acm:ion:s. Allhough d:ibd of moo: Ot1ad ;ccbi~ the Pox
Tribes arc still capible of ma1nt1ining and ronsuucting simple L.u :and solid projectile weapons. Occrcs-ionally. :a tribe discovers a funaioning manu(:ictocum or mdiouy fofge_ from bcfort' the WM allowing d U> 6e(d uaks, anillcry. and other b
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•Movc:mc:nt: t / 2/ 1/ 6 Wounds! 17 Annour: Ralil'd bus of O.k 1nnour (3 All) Toral TB: 6 Skills: Awart11css(Pct) + 10, Co1nmand (Fel). Common l.ofC (Pywultide~ Do.lg. (Ag), lotimlcbtc (WP). Opcrm (Sum«)
), •
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1
17,
'
!\' .-(Ag).Pa r
• 11~ .~L'} ~'
(Poi.M>n), \Vcapon Training (La1, Prinuuy,. Sohd Piojectilc~ Traits: Unn:itut21Toughncss (2), • \· "\,. "'... Weapon" Baue1Cd Autoll"n (Basic; IOOm; S/3/ 10; ' "'-· ldlo+l I: P,,,,, O; Ct;p JO; Rid Full; Noidous OUch.ug<;
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UrudUbk ).
U.::un 18-
SJ)/~ 'fl.• •1d 1o+J E: Pc"' O; a, p 60; Rld Full: Am100m; mo Glutton;
·~· •'
Of
Conodcd
Rech>1g<), Rusted Bayon« (Mele<; ldS+l R; Pc"' 0: Toxk pi), Blight Grenade (Thrown; l>m, SI-I-; 2d l0 • E; """' O; Ct;p 1; Rid - , TOl
PLAGUE 0GRYN OF PrullULTIDE The terrible: co nditions on Pyurultidc h11\'e led 10 almost every inhabi,tanl of the world sporting some m.i nncr o [ mutation~ For most this is simply a sign of Fath« Nurgfc's 3ffection,. a boon 10 be worn -as a m3rk ofp ride. HoY•cvcr, for others the Lord of Dec.ly's gifts have c:h:anged their bodies so much thc:y no no lon~ r be considered m<:n at nit Their bodies S\•.:ollen to massive proportions, they tower o...·er t he other inhabiunts o f Pyurultide. 1\'1.a.ny spon terrible growths of Clncerou.s flesh 0 ( huge S\\':tthcs or dead, neaotiscd flesh th:it is impervious to pain. OthCTS erupt into mountains of mot, festooned i-n tusks, lihhy claws, and twisted, gnarled horns. Often, in 11 pe1''Cl'SC"
di:sch:argc: of life. these creatures will sptoot additional limbs._ Some an:- litcle .more than atrophied stumps, withered and d esicc:ared beyond use, mort' often though lhty are ptrfealy
fC1nctional Comprising glistening, raw Otsh, they terminate in vicious cl3ws
•
IV"SBS 45 15
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S
BLIGHT DRONE Nightmarish flying creatu1es of hideous proportions 3nd terribJe intent, these "horrific entities ha,,.c begun to ap~ar on Pyorultide. Poorly undc:rscood by dte inhabitanu of lhc world , the Pox Tribesmen believe them to be little morc lhan an awful new form of creature-spawned in the depths of ~c gre-at living Seas. But the truth is far more horrific. Blig h! Drones are Daemon Engines, foeUcd by the esoteric energies o f che \\'arp. Appearing as an eerie jumbk of imcct. Oying m .Jch i n~ and Daemon,~ Blight Drone buzzes 'hrough the polluted s:kies 'O f Pyurultide o n rusted and dec,a~·ed rotor bfa-des. Often :iccompanied by vast swarms of "mundane" crcatu.rcs drawn from the living Sea, Blight Drones spread fear :ind death y,;hcte'lff they arc found. These cntitk:s arc known to attack any and all Pox Tribcsfl'lC'n they encounter. Talcs of them d isgorging awful, corrosive acids, and other, less idenrifi:a ble lluids onto lone t.atge:ts, and then settJin_g ovt:r the remains ro draw them up inside their protective: body cases arc rampant 3 Cross the planet The E.ntom.ancer has become- pattirubr!y fuscinated by the Blight Drones and is eigcrly seeking co determine: where- they -ha-.'C come from and. mo~ im pcrmntl~ why chey have ap,pea.red.
..
25 3 4 3 4 61 52 16 +3
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30
rs
20 40
os
Wounds: 32 Movement: 5/10 / 15/ 30 Total TB, JO Armour. Dis~ Fksh (2 AIQ Skills: Intimidate (S) + 10, Sun 'ival (Per). Talents: Crush ing Blov.;, Die Hard, F-carlcss. fro.n Jaw, Resist:lnce (Poison), Swifi Attack, True Cr-it. Traits: Brutal ctiargc (3), OC3dly Natur-.d Weapons, Fear (2), Multiple Amis (3). Regenc-ratKin (5). Size (6), Snirdy, Toxic {3), Unnatural Strength (4), UnMcurnl Toughness (5). Weapons: ClaWJ; and Tusks(Melee; 1d 10+ lO R;- Pen O; Toxjc 13D, Mass;ve Clu~ (Mcl ce; 2d lO+lO I; Pen O; Unbalanced). r: T3tte-rcd rags.
t\.iovemenc: 8/ 16/ 24/48 Wounds: 40 Armour~ 1 \1:ichinc (1{ AIJ) Total TS, 16 SIOIJs, Awa.ccn
t Explosion of Pus: \Vhcn o Blight Drone is destroyed. it .explodes in 3 sho\\'Cf of rJncid fiJth and pus. In addition to any orhcr effects generated by Table 3--9: Daem·o n Engine Critical Hit Chart (SC<' page 96), any characters within 7 mctn:s of the Blight Orone when i,t is desuoytd m.ast make a Hard (-20) Agflity Test or sulTer 3dl(}+8 Energy Dam"F wi!h !he Corrosi"e, Irradiated {2), lUld Taxi< t2} ~ ffNurg1c's Blessing; A Blighl Orone is a Daemon Engine -0f Nurgle. and is a l~ys Aligned to Nurgfe~
THE E NTOMA .VCER [X.Vr.Jn S:i~r ha.s: C'YC'r boen oNesscd with life 1n all its forms. Fromm k:robdogic:d organums and bxtcrfa to nwsivt" R'.ptili:I n and mmunahaio herd acirutu and ~ft& btf,.ftn them. m s -.... woth lif<. couplocl ..irh his Adcpcus Mcdw>;c, ,s bxkgl'Otlnd, rv.1ftly led to hd ascension to i\1~ Biologis and h is appointment within the E.11plor.uo r Flttts. h v.-.as thjs sci(. same fascination t.h.Jt has lod lC> his current prtdic1mcnL >n .!Jen -.id,
°"
Leng plH Lhe point of sanit)'· or redemption, the l!ntom.ancet now resembles nn upright in$C'CI him.sci( His once precious i\4cchanicus Implants have diJtortl:d in10 Miu:hing msndibla , multif>at td ptthmsil< """°'1' ~and Ctotaqoc wings. His ~UJ:w:nrs. once- ddibrnte
and focused, have become the net'o'OOS, blinking tics of :1 hunli.ng insect. StilJ his mind stri~s to complece his wotk and evcry d1y leads to a new c:atalogut- enuy in his ~r cxpaodifti: Ii~ CYCO a ""'-h.;a1 remains ofhis hununiry slips ~,,."¥'{into• 1ncvitabk series
T alcnt5' Ambidcxrrous. S.ld'u l Dugc, Cold He"'
Oisrurbin2 Voice, Fe:rrk Summons. Independent Targrting, Iran J.-w, Jaded, Lu 1ninen Bbsc, l um iA<'n ~flock, f\.l:istcr Chirurgron. M«hod
Usc Ten 1h11 r
' ~8
51 47 56 • 7 , , 59 18 . , 2 5
Movement# 214/6/1 2 Armou" lmpbnts (> AD)
Tow TB: 7
Skills: ;1,.~,...,. (Pei). Com.ound (Fe9, Com..,..;
Lon: (lnr) (Ackprus M«h•ni cu~ T«h) +20, Common Lore (Screaming Vortex), · Oeccive (fol), Fo.bidden Lor. (Int) , (Adcpws M.a....Kus, Mur•nu) + 20, • Fomdden Lo.. [lnr) (D..n•1uology. The W•rp, Xe00<~ lnquity (Fe~ +10, lntenogacion (WP) + 10, Linguistics (lnr), tog;., (Int) +20, Mcdoeae (Int) + 20. ()pcDt< (S.rfxc) (AS). Pmy [WS) +10, Schobsb< lo
I
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f"".,,.... ,,, -
-~IS &plJi- ...
-Adrtis Mconloka, The P•-lord of Cudph lbrown across die Anttt:id~I
non--mtivcs alike. Tbett a~ vt:ty ft"' food teSOUrccs and tht general popubtion would ~ as soon kiU another person ihan h.r.ic to deaJ with him. Jr wis not alv.·a)'l lhil •'a')t 00..'C\U.
B ROKEN APART
Guelph and GhiO.Uinc oner sh.tcd • b.autiful cxmrna lllftong the Halo Sum. Shlrin& an u.nmual dual orbit, W twin planets were :almost cir:ict mi.tror im~gcs of ach other
;ind ~·ere ruled by chc Ai clnlok.ii CIJn, In ordc-r to kcc-p all 1nauers of rule u njfo nn, Lord and Llidy lvtcinloka seinrated lhemsclvcs and dieir F.tmily so that in the event of difficulty, the family Line would alwayi be pracnt in some fashion on each planet. Both plaoca bri!hcd under their rule until tht tosmic birth ofStuoesh IOtt it •pen.. Unlike;,, "'in, Chibd&nc,
'°" .....,
CHIBnLINE's REn1JKE The ~mC')o· bod 10 Chibcll1ne "'il not without pcriL limited supplies mc1nt 1h:u food ond medicine wcrc rationed through lhc: cntltt t.rip. During 1hiJ c1mc, Lord ~teinlolu came 10 ~ty on his ~isors heavily, one being M:uchesa Ammarx,
hi1 pcl'IOnlJ a.ide and con6cbnt. She ptoYided the \IOIR ol" Mc"'lob "1lcn lhc Loni ..... om...... attupicd .nc1 helped enc chc F19m of a~ li\.in g condi1.ons {or dw: m.a,oriry popabtion. She"'"" •loo 1hc: s"'gk of !he desinb&c wom;an in the fleet. a nd nrcly ld'i Lord ~1cto.lolu's s-ide unless ocden:d. Fifteen months in u>ns1c brought the Cuelph3n fkc t into the Ghibelline system, finding thetr sister ...rotld lush, grccn, and l:argcly unscathed Lord ind Lady h~ilcd c11ch other for the first time in nhno.t a dcCJde 11Dd lhe: populiuiont or both worlds rejoiced as they were ~united. Upon lheir arriw l in orbit. Lord i\icinlokl took the- first sh1.ndc with his heir.s 10 vis.it 1h e pl•nei,. kav1ng i\iarchcu in charge of the fleet. The r&ink>ka Oan gathered, with me Ch1br:Uine sM.ie rcspleodcnt msilb and btaeade and tht:: Codplun side io lugganl clo
........,.,g
cau1ic 10 once og>in be• unified fJmily The) -al 10 begin discussing pl,,n1 to rcinu:gnte the two peoples at o"'e--but all 1:h~c ch11ngcd v.•hro Marchcs:1 arrived on 11\c pl.1net. Though no one has ever d iscovcttd why, no sooner had Marches.a Amm:arx joined the
Mcinlob ad>iscd his people INI h• Udy had ttb..111.cd 1hda aD and dut they wett now OiSC OUt. He onk~d all ships IO pn:p:m for dcpanurc wilh one J:lop - a rd"uclli:ng sta1ioft orbihng the planet. The Ct:efph Rc
T Hl! BROIBERHOOD O F WARPSMITHS Transition co the w,,rp brought haunt1.111 drums to the
~lltts. ~nriving dWics &om 1hc c~ arid ci""ilian pop.; blion indllCAC' ch.at the dreams --.Ttt pmutml rvm inu> ,.,Jung •re. !'topic wondond the ... ip In ""' mrocs of nJ:h11nara. U....gh none show.d any sip ofpliysial ...lady; Th... olTcctcd ...... ~ ..r1y. ""' ;, ..m1prcad ..... :1.ll people not affili;akd "'i th the mUio.ry or the flm ""«C in
medic:al lod«town. Unsure of how to remedy chc ~llu..lhon, lord Mcinloka pushed fol"\\':trd w ith all h~tc. hoping thlt there migh1 be .some measorc o f ho~ bnck on CUf:lph. As 1hc fleet burst ba-* into realsp:icc in 1he Cuclph ~ 1.hcy not.ccd cha much was diffcrmt. Nt"'W ucelli1es ind orbibl ...!Jons Oll>ilal Guelph and her m...., •nd haoJ..,a alb Ooodod !he bridC<- Mcinlob ~.., stUDOCd. Guelph had born ..... ia m "'*""'- He and his J'C"l'lc had .......... ""8<1111& ""' hoilr, he dmundcd O> know who Jud akcn ha pbo>ct and oalaal !hem IO P"I"'< for " " ;f dry d;d noo .i:..ndoft lhc: A l&l&i< De. n:plocd IO lool Manloka's dcmenib. - ....... 1he "'"'°"'of • Space Marine. 1-1, <:died hl....... )11 Kholid ra¥ clf""d •Id f.,m lus lroOf" !hough !he C..dpll ttm:iin in otbit until the nature o f lhe il!atls _. Knowing he v.-ould not be ablt to fighi cffccdwlv popubiion ofhi.1 planet in harm's way, Me&nlob
woalil-""
The Brothethood of \Varpsmitm; as the Sp3ce ~1Jrincs calkd themsehu, wen" suet they knew the root cause of the illness, for it had :1ffcacd them toq. ;albeit differently. j3J Kha.lid nr:vt'r divulged how it had :1ffecred hG men, bot their c«Uinty W:IS v.·hat 1\iein loka .needed (O convince to bis people. There "''3S hope of a nev.• life and 3 future on Cuelph for the first time -s ince the bi·rth of the Vortex. Thoogh the initial trials were unsuccessfu~ die Brotherhood and 1\<1einloka's remaining people \•.:orkcd diligently for months an-d, at the end of the seventh month, discovcRd a trc:atmc.nt distilkd from the blood of both groups. f\.1cinktk3 inoculated hin1self first and then beg.in co administer it to alJ chOSC' who rem3jncd in the thtalJ of the illness. One: by one, the Guelph began to awaken and regain a'>'·arcness. 1\ieinloka pkdgcd Jal Khalid and the Brochertiood their loyalty. In response, Jal made a bold request: the ruins of Kimigstad. and one half of the other planecs in thcJYSlcm, to tJS<"' rumch a.d construction bas<>. Mcinlol<> re:idily-agtttd, adding that thc:y V.'Ould aid in the production of the W:t.rpsmiths' forges as long 3S they V.'Ould help pte1'31'C' hjm l'or the 6nal war with Chibellfne. Jal Khalid was nlso c:ager to entu the p3tt, stating that they \.'/Ollkl need a '"'testing ground .for their creations." Once the people of Guelph were c11rcd, Mei·nloka and Khalid finally met fucc to face. f.orgcs sprouted up like \\'ttds throughout the system. Exc:awtion &ii:es dotted the surface of e-.·c.y moon or planet Jal KbaJid and his troops touched. Soon, these mas.siVC" excavations became such 3 commonplsa: sight within 'he Guelph system tluL i\-1einloka bcome know~n :as the Pit-lord of Guelph. B~·tt.n chc highly motivated! population of Cuclph and the ;advanced t"ci'.hnology and sorcery of the Brotherhood, pl:uu for the Qmqucst of Ghibelline rook form and moved forward at a rapid P3CC. \Vithjn a ha.ndfuJ of months, Kimigstt1d had been unco\•ctcd and rcbuilr as the m:iin forge for the Brotherhood. Within a year, th.c: Gu_ elph Fleet had been upgraded and enlarged. At the end of fiv<- )'C2rs_.. the BrothC'rhood had an arsenal of dCV2Stating 03cmon Engines, as v.'t'll as :an elite _gu.Jrd of Ol:iitcrators. that ther wCJC willing to lend to the PitLord. The time to ft' ignite the !fires of war had come.
Mowc: 3/6/9/ l8 \\'ounds: 44 Annourd'lcshmecal (14 All) Total TB, 12 SkillS: A"•arencss (Per), Dodge (Ag), Forbidden Lore (Arcbcor:cch, Daemooology. Tt:titor l egions, \Varp) {Int), latlmidalC (S), Tech Usc Qnt) + 20. Taleno: Ambtdexcroos,. Bolter Drill, Comb-at Sense, Oc;adcye Shot. He.avy Weapon Tr.lining. Jndcpenden1 Targeting, Lcgioo Weapon Training, Scorm of Jron, Target Sdection, Knock. Two-W~3P0n Wielder (BaJlistic).
'9+*'
T - Auo: sgbilJzcd, Daemonk (21 Fcor (2), From Beyond, ~ " - y . Sh< (S), Srurdy, lJnnabit3l Sm:ngth {5), q ' • (s), YIDlcm Mebmo1J>h""'t. ~ Violca• Metam0
t Violc-nt Mc-.tamorphosis: Oblitenltors can fomi ~ number of weapons from the r:l\\' m:J.S$ of their \Varp-infu:scd bodies. Obliter:ltors manifest tv.'O v.·capons of wrying degrees of lethality nt any given time, chosen from the list below. As a Half Action. an Obliterntot can rd'omi one: of his currc-nt weapons into 3ny other weapon from the ]ist. The Gfl,i can also feel frtt
T HE
w AR OF WEALS AND
THE TRLUS AI GNos1 The-Pit-lord Cl l!C>d for war and \\.'JS met with the thunderous 3pproV31of his people. They ha
~ "i-
the GhibclJines began to sh.1 tter the Guelph lines Though lhe Cudph arsenal w.as more po\\'Cffu~ it required human elements. which \\'CR: capable- of being tttmcd 1lglli nst their own. The Pit-lord, sensing that the tide could tum, kd an -assault on me pabcc to remove. his disl0)'31 family from powtt: Hi& initi3I attack btcachcd the p;iJ:s
and w:ar mldiincs spat poison and pl-ague across their ranks, began ro &JI lnck. In Gnosi, the Pil·Lord grew m .si.u and sb ture, br~ his bind ings and bc.::oming an OF' of a m:in. Smashing his C4pcors uidc; he xt about freeing the few of bis tTOOf!: dud remained. They too \\'t:re invigoutrd. and began to make their way toward the s11rf.icc,, kiJJjng everyone in thefr path.. th.:it
'. .·~,~ '• ''
• '
ihe Brotherhood throughout CuelphS cmrcmt histOI)" his one of the largest hives in the Vortex, surrounded ~·toxic s:ilt f1ats thac glow and occasionally catch f11e as \\'3.Ste products mix in heady chemical reactions. Mcm of the food consumed by the Cuelphans comes from Folgr.n, c:-ithcr as irr_lports from other pl.a.nets in the system or as vat-grown products known for their nutritiona.1valu-c but certainly not their fia\'Ollt. Kimigstad is run cxclusf\'Cly by the Brotherhood o( \V:11psmiths and , other than the Pit-Lord and selected tmmbcrs of his staff,. none but the Warpsmiths and their creations enter or le2YC. Massive engines .of destruction sand guatd aver the once ash-buried cityscape, and the forges born nighrnnd da'f The Bcothertiood tikr cuscomcrs from aU O\'Cr the Scre.aming Vortex, but keep thtit gre-Jtest works held oot (or their own use. The.ir modifications lO oth« known designs ha\•e been found on battkfields throughout :and are
widdy sought oul Though many would·bc w:ulords would
The ~ccoonts of that escape ate largely untold, seeing as the Pit-Lord v.-as the-only one to sutvive. Though his peopk ~rished, the city·St3te of Cnosi was reduced to :t smoking roin wh<"n he lcfi. The Brothe1hood kic:ued him and llshered him to safety. Upon his retu.rn to the fleet, Jal Kh3lid Informed him that the. Brotherhood's craft had been outfitted with :t fuU load of virus bombs. The Pit-Lord smiled -and fired only once, upon the isle of Gnos.i, before ordering the v.•ithdr.3\\'31 of his troops. "\Ve are ~tient.•. \\'e are patient;" were the only \\'Ords ht: uttered as he \valkied from the command bridge.
love to get their hands on the Brotherhood's engines, very ft\\' h:M' the :ability to pay for them. Cold-hearted and callous, the prople of Guelph are 3S unforgiving us the planet's surf.ace. Unsympathetic eyes- greet you from every angle in wh:at is rcfcrrcd to by trade1s in the Vortex "3S lhe Cuelphan Stare: eyes that pit:fte you and seem to sv.'3llow any ounce of joy from ~'OU alongside unchanging faci:l l expressions that emanate birterness 3nd malice. i\1ost who arc not known to Guelph receive this cold \\'ekome !Tom mcsl of the popolation, btit it is not only unmecving looks you get from the CU<"lphans. 1\1any v.•ho journey there seeking weapons and armour from one of the best forge plant'ts in the Screaming 'lortex havt discovered first- hand chat returning home aJivc is not :tlw:iys '!I cert.linty. Blood and de:1th :are frequent visitors to the sttttts of Folgr:at, for often nothing more than a small slighL Needless to say, regular trnvcllers to Coelph ate fe\v, and usually of Jn extremely hardy breed.
3 7 29 39 43 29 3 5 3 2 3 7 35
The W?.r of [deals was over.
THE RHA.u.r OF THE Prr-LoRD
\\1ith two m3ssiYC hive cities and dozens of research facilities
scattered around the planet's surf3c<", Cuelph is little more than thew:tSte fields IOr che massiv.c milittuy industrial complex :tt rlu= hcancf the Pit-Lord's fiefd om. Toxic effluents flow acl'OS$ cbc .surf.lee of the 'plan«, and the h:a:z.e of poisonous gas is cver-prestnt Jnd smothering. Guelph's. No'O main hives remain much as they were at the time of the W.ar of JdeJls centuries ago. Though they ha\'C gmwa in, Sae and sei.btrc, both h:a\'t' stayed true to their 'PJIPOSC· Fofgnt is the scat of power and the- main starport ;yo, tbc planer. The Pit-Lord's fortress, known :as the Steel ewe~ sits ia d¥ dead CCl)D"C, majestic and intimidating. Herc. sliU rules th.e Guelpha.ns just 1lS" he has for :PfORc' can mncmber.. He tw outlNed aJI of Jal ~ hOll and been the s!lle human conl:act with
f.tove: 2/ 4 / 6 / I 2 Armou.r: Rotting mesh (4 All)
Wounds~
l4 Total TB: 6
Skills
ldl0+6; Pen O; Shocking). C.car: T\\'O dips of ammo.
DAEMON ENGINES Oac:mon E.ngines art a bizarre and frightening hybrid cf
mechanic.a.lingenui.ty and arcane impossibility. lncorpor:iting the pulsating rage of a Q3emon requires strong bindi n~ po1.1.· erfu] enticement 01 coercion, and blood S3crilicc._ Each construct :icts as both prison and new body for the 0:t<"mon, bound into service by ilS new m.astcr. The Pit lord's \Varpsmit hs on Cuelph specialise in nJtcring existing engine constructs to better serve t he Great Corruptor. Foul science mixed with Warp~taintcd energies .:hangc already terrifying war m'llchincs into sentient killing bc:asts. They ate, howc\.'er, fair !Tom the only onrs "''ho m3nufacturc such crc.ations. Regardless of which planet or fac6on makes them.
all Daemon Engines trade the cxu-nded durability of a vehicle for the shock and ay,·c f.lctor of n crcoture of the Empyrean~ Daemon Engines folio\\' th e rules below: • O:icmon Engines arc sentient, and arc: thus presented in chcsame manner as living creatures. All Daemon Engines h.ave the Daemon Engine Trait. Any bound crew members cannot be targeted :as they arc: technically part of the construct. Some kinds of Daemon Engines arc always Aligned to a specific Chaos Cod, while others can be Aligned to any Ruinous Pc>\'o c:r. The G1\1 should feel free to give any Dnemon Engine one ot more additional Daemon Engine Traits (9.!ch :i.s. those found in Daemon Engine Traits or on pages 5 l-5'> of this volume) th.a! match its Alignment 1
c
l-J
1-8
9
JOt
7 11$'
As its cage- sutTers damage,. the bindings unrnvc~ and the Daemon is able to task: tht m:nerial wortd on its own again. Should the Daemon break e11tirely free, it \\•ill rage across the battlelicld, smiting -anything in its path. Whcnt"\"t'r 'fl [)aemon Engine suffers Critit:al Dam:tgt", consult Table l-9: Daemonic- Engine Critical Hit Chart be-low to see the extent of the damage to the internal systems and other effects.
t
Result Distracting Blow: The Daemon is momentarily enraged by actually being touched by tht v.-eapons of .an enemy that il must make a Challenging (+O) Willpowee Test to resist t:irgtting the source of t001 3J1ack wi1h its next a.track. If it w:t.s :tlrc:Kly focused on chis t.arget, then it moves with all h:iste to futly cng:igc that target with any and at! welpons ;u its disposal. Ablative Strike The anxk strips b~rs <:i armour off the engine- as wd.I as some of the protccti\•t runes. Rtui.cr 1he annour by Id 10 points. Jn addition, any futurt" Critkal Hits n:tti\'C a bonus cl+ 2 on thl$ ch.1tL This is 3 rumi4111i\'t bonus.sh9uld rrailtipk Ablarivt Strilics hit lhc Daemon Engine:. Roll Id 10. On
FoRGEFIENDS &'ID MAULERFIENDS Emerging from the t'.i.·~ed m·in.ds and af'Clnc forges of innumerable Warpsmirh~ Daemon Engines of aJI types 'l~ rightfuUy fc:irei:I and admired by all would-be v.•arlords and rulers in the Screaming Vortc-x. Among the most prized an: the Forgcfic:nds and ;\1au1erfiends, dangeroosly tough and comP3ct c<1hstturu capa~e of rending hard Jnd soft targets alikcwilh little difficulty. Infused v.•ith the rage of tin angered D:temon, and gh't'n che tools to \vrcak h:l'<'OC on the: living, 1hesecre:itu.res arc difficuh to acatc :ind C\'C"n harder to destro)~ Forgc:6ends arc imbued with the ditcet power of the Jmmaterium. m~nifcsting as y.fiite-hot, large-bon- ammunition rounds tinged with daemonic residue or OOlls of plasma sccthi-ng wi.th the mw CSSC'ncc of the Warp. These foul cr~atures mcvc across the battl:cflcld, searching for any enemy troops or light \'Chicles they o n raze :ind consume. stopping only ra.tcly to gorge itself or r.cfuc:L Though most \'C:rsions of these: consuucts ha\
ot.11pockcu of rcsist1.ncc, and as such llrt in high demand. Maul c:r~nds --ort: designed slightly differently than their cousins. Made for a.ssaulcing fortifiotions and heavily annoorcd targets. 1\.1.auJeriiends arc given massi\'C po\\
1.t
1
1
1
• u 35 38 54 56 18 3 1 4 2
'f
y
~8 Oil
-.-
Mov., I0/ 20/l0/ 60 \\'ounds: 4 5 Total TB, 12 Annou r: f\.'\3chinc (16 All) Skills: Awareness... Talen ts: Ambidextrous, Independent T111gec-jng. Ty,;·o \Veapon Wielder (Mclee, Range
Wb.k """Y .,.-,do
nmong the population that i~ not kilkd outright The Bile Cannon is designed to rid the initiol btc:ich of dd'cnders by blasting them with a foul sttc-:im of pus 2nd ichor.. Those ool insundy killed are CO\'t:rt!d in oozin& ruhcs 3nd sort:s :as thC" n)tl'OSi~ liquid works ib w~ throu&h armour. The towcn alto scrw as ua:nsporu for Large m.imbcn. of cr:aud fol~ Ir is no "WOOdct- dut these. h11lking cneincs of ware often >«0 u iwbing
Move< 8/ 16/24/48 Wound., S6 Armourr i\-t:ichlne (35 AIQ Tor•l TB, 15 SkillJ: Aw1u
THE WRI THIN G WOR LD "'71)rrr tUt t11u!trfari0U1 stilflufi rorusaRJh at wod- "f'>" 1/)r 11WJ1al
-'. 1"'" • "'g< /W"O.. IOI<. "4«, ~ - ! ) < /Jqp<. Ami
,,,,..._
-En.iaxu s Fonor, Shilwi Catechist of the Pingu1d Panglossi:i
Approxhinl the cdcsrial body rcferm:i
10
in most charts
aod lens simply as the \Vrut'\.ing \\rorfd. one aporicncc s s co ~ tnnsfonm~ .f'll>'llming rhu contirNcs fi&hc
...,,_-a
pltnct's 11Jtf'J «. From a gttll di.1Una, the \\'nthing Wedd appears link dilTercnt from ainy of tlu: other planccs locked within the clutches of the Sc1T.aming vo,rcx. fn fact,. from e a wa.ngc, &ctitious o:tmnc visual ranges, the pbt1e1 F beau!)< The ....,ding ans and """'"' cf II>< pbnct'> >urf.act au mnin~t of a shimmering sand gtobc. "·hik Boatine gra«fully :eO'Vt' the pl:tM't lift' undubnt clouds of bbck, C'ddying in the upper :itmosphc:rc. An iridescent ring surround$ tM "-hole. playing hoa to fout vm:bnt mooru: that hang fik
gtow;,,g .....,.ldsu pooagol dmchoin .Butaa_. .,....dost t; rnlily Ofl<"I up Iii« a ..,,.im'ul bloommg mtpo< no..tt
The first dl$JOnant norc :1 first-time visitor to the \\'tithing World will note ts the compo.s;ition of the V.U'i &weeping ring th•t surrounds the planrt Upon closer insptttion , the ring is not, in bet. composed of du.111 mid stone, .as one \\'Of.l)d expect m the sidetcaJ \lnrvuse Rah". each chunk of mancr fixtd within the bllnd it a complictQ:d knot offq-, wnggfi.ng me:u. Tendrils and flesh undulate t:O undetectable currents. From the l.vgcst astero5d.s to the tiniesi, glittering mo1cs fl oating around lhe 'W'Odd, txh thnshes sof1fy in a bizartt simubcru m of life. The four "'-'ful moons orbti>g """nd II>< Wridmg \\'odd~ the molt intcrt:Uing m')"Sl«y within the: S)'Steln, in their sheer nomiJlcy; The flon :ind f-aun3 on e:w:h are primitive ln thc:it development and sop11isocation, but they ne'-'Cnhdess prcscsu • viridi.an splendour v.Tiui set .against the p.11Jc, dun «>loortd worid. chcy orbU. Exh glittcn w~h v.t>rmcy; lhr spuk&ng j.l
and n>Uing p1o;,,,. The Ocsh thao mmposa lh
-
from.,..-,
C = bttlh..., -"'nding in IOt- &""' .,..... lnd und
"";I'"
- " " " Md bunsdf bcnath II>< •• m:tivt uncold m<>nh fiom lhcit internal pmoll Due to the constantly shilling natu~ of 1hc wry bedrock or lhc plane~ inst.abiJity is the only constJ.nt. Nothing is ttrtain. ThtCtul Tendrils att l'OftSCandyon rht MOYt'., ausini: d1'lutbing qu>la lh., an ~ II>< ...,n, cf mao ;., lhc blink of an~ \\'hen those ll:ndrils dttp benc;ilh a Ulcc or sea shift c-nough, the rontenu may drain 01i11 only co emergie at somt: oLhcr point :along the- planet's s-urN~ Coundcss aqu.aric vttrri.in .att suanded in a moment upon vua. pla.ios of dry;,,g ll
v;i,...,,
The darkest legends tafk of the birth of a great being, a Crcater Daemon or a Daemon Prince. perhaps. The myths surrounding this belief are varied and contrndictory. Some say the planet \\'as f-on:wr al1trcd at the moment of Apotheosis. Other.; that the planet is a living creature, sommoncd into e·xistt:nce to devour the rcnujns of the godlings birth. The vilest tales of the Sorcerer-Kings and Biom-:incer lords imagine the blessed entity itself, in the moment of its unholy ascension, being ast into the ultimate curse of cosmic spawnd-om for some horrific fajfing, becoming the \•eiy planet itself. Any of these taJes could explain away the ecology of the planet a nd the scench of the atmosphcn; but all fca\•e even d.arkc,r mystc.ries as to v..hnt might be found a l the planet's core. 'A'hat is not in ..:ontcntion, however, is the veritable explosion of 1.ifc lli:u crawls across the surf:tee and sv.•arms in the skies O\terhead. Thesulfacc:of the Writhing \Vodd teems with die fuJJ Jtrayof vermin 3nd t:11rrio n catct'>' one V.'Ould expect feasti n·g upon a ripe and blootcd corpse, albeit '.'Crs:ions too massive and grotesque to be i1ccu1atcly described with v.-ords 3Jone. Enormous bcelle· cmuures push thrir W'lY ocross: the cilia plains, gt.tzing upon the w riggling flesh \\•ith mandibles sh3rp enough to cut through the body of a full)'-anncd Rcnegode. Swift, scythc-legg
Haunting the shadowed depths of fhc bile seas ate .slcek·bodied cre:i.tu!t'S that skim throu.gh the gelatinous fluid, propelled along with the gr:teeful, sweeping motions of th<:it bladed Limbs. These inse.ctile behemoths,. often the: .size of void~figh tc:rs, art" rarely seen as they lurk within the deepest., most dense folds of tile seabed. Hov.·cver, the native huskmen of the 'Vrithing \.\'orfd ha\•e learned caution when crossing these bodies of oily liquid, lest their callous-boats be O\'Ctturned, :uad they find diemscl~ draggi:d dov.'n into the tepid depths. l ife upon this fasc inating pli1nel is vibrant and fuJI o( energy as the ch3otic \\'hirlvo.·i.nd of 1he eternal cycle sweeps. across the globe. Newly-hatched heni·maggots pour across the land, pushing the oklcr corpse·bcctles aside, focding_ on the rancid flesh of the landscape before erupting into the sk~ car')•ing, perhaps. 3 fragment of a thought, a curl o f memin& into the surging clouds overhead. Giant botdc fiics, ~ch the ;s,i:zc of a man's he.ad, fonn swarms that suctch for miles and miles- into the noisoDIC' atmosphere. T he low, droning hum cf mjflions UPQn milliHw of translucent v.·ings ls an e\:·er·prcscnt reality to an)"Oq.¢ walking the sulf.ace of the planet. These creatures, ooce tl'ltf lea..·c the-shells of their pupll st3gc an.d tab- to the hnYy for the first time, ne\•er set cl;iws to fleshy earch again. rem2in airbom<, :1 member of.the semi-sentient colony until their shrivtllcd, dcsiccatrd body fluttrn -down ID the othct. detti~ littering the landsapc. scnriag next generation 0£ Vt'nnfn surging «lWards the enor~
There are many hef'l:"cics in the Screaming Vortex that believe the swirling, gr:iccful fl~•·cloods conuin 3 small portion of Gro,ndfather Nurgk's consciousness_, or seive as a condnit to th:it.Ruinous Po\\'C?s thoughts and intentions.. They sw:arm :ind boil across the pbnec formjng huge patterns that seem maddeningly close to making some sort of sense before the jntt(ms explode into chaos :again. No conc1ete evidcnc.e has C\'cr been prcsenk:d that there is. ln fac t, any me3ning behind the whicling ballet of giant jnsem, but this lack of siirety only ~s to spur those: desperate enough to see,k such contact. Each )'t':lr. coontless-men :an-d \\'omen descend upon ihe \Vrithing \Vorld for the sol<' purpose of gazing upon the clouds and teasing 0<1t their possible mc;ining. Among the m.iny str:inge and wondroos cre:atores th:at call the Writhing 'Vodd their home, a hardy breed of humans h:a.s exjsced for'l!s king as the planet has existed within the Vortex.
ll)ese Biom3ncers venerate the myri.30 cycles of Ufe. TC:3sing out the meaning and power within die inaicate dance of birth, age. decrepitude. death. dcc3~ and rebinh , 3tt'" .swifdy destroyed by their own mc:irch or rise to promi:nenc.c ._among the most p:>v.'C':tful beings of the Vottex. The most powerfuJ Biomancers are ap.'lhle of shaping the \'C!'f flesh of lhe planet benc3th them, and the cre3tur<'S that crawl upon i.t. Able to l\vist living me3t and bone to their e\'«'f whi~ Bioi:nancers h:ivc the \'C':ty !breads of life :at their m~ spinning annoui; weapot15i and defences from the very vitae o f their subjects. The vast maJorily of 1h e Biomancers liv.ing upon the \Vrithing \Vorld are not natives of -the fleshy o0rb1 bot 3re rather tried and tested sorct'fers in their O\\'n rigbL Many of these jovial men 3nd women h2\-c follov.'Cd the path ofG1'3ndfafhc:,r Nurgk throughout che galaxy befor<' 6nding themselves on this strange, living pl3ne1. These poWC'rfu~ m3sters of fl<"Sh
These smgc, nomJdic cribc.smcn use- the exoskcktons of the:
and life arc not often given to discus.ting their suprC1113cy
vcanin fot armour, u tensi ~ and anything else they might need. Clothed in the c.utoff skins of the bloatod cadai.'t:r \\'Ynns; buskmen tribes arc const."lntly a.t war \\ith c:ich other over the best hunting grou n~ lxeeding stock, and gelid ponds. With the flesh of the planet itsdf 3S a coru.tant source of nourisbment., and the phJegmy liquids of the se:as, lakes, and streams a ready supply of w:u~ the huskmen tend to be obese arul slow. Howe\'Cf, the \Vrithing \.\'orld, lhc '"'
or their origins with oul'Siders,. but thef'I:" ar<' m3ny t2IC$ :ind legends th~t \\'hisper of their ability to twi~ the flesh of their en-emics ag>linst them, causing crippling p:tin, withering limbs and minds, 2nd reducing e\'Cn the most powerful warlords to mt'\\'ling, t'l.\'isted wrecks v.·ith :a gesture of their h-and. Among these mysterious sorcerers, there are 11:1\\'ays fOO r th:tt hold the gre:ncst share of povo·a, lording O\l't't the planet C\'t:O 3S they push the bound3ries m their k.nowkdgc: and abilities beyond the understandingo f mof'131men.. E3Ch of these Biomancer Lords command one of the fou.r gem-like moom th:tt spin throogh the kaleidoscopic swid of the aightsk)t The.sc pbn®ids SCf\'t as sanctuaries in times of great endC3VOur, retreats in the face of po\\'C'tful opposition, and. some '>'
Olhm, hov.·cvrr, dc\ic-lop a Wlt for the lhick. rccultnt air in
the impomncc: and pov.-cr present within me moons or I.he
their lungs. the soft. pli3nt flesh bme:uh their f« t, anf the fiy clouds 0\-C-thc:.Jd: These pov.·etful btings establish themsel\.'tS upon the planet, bending entire ttgions to their whims with thC"Jrhard·v.'On powerSi and pf3ying with the lives of the huskmen l'ike the toys of a wayward child.
\\'rithing \Vorid. Ccrt:ainl~ despite the vibrant lif<' pn:sent on :tD of diem, c::tch is unnatural -and twisted in its own \\'llf. Equ:iJly clc:u is th3t the BionuncC1 l ords ruling the ...."Orld bc'low hold thC'ir lanar fiefdoms as precjol!So spending a grC:lt deal of time secreted away within their s1rongholds. Nol CYtn whispers spc::tk ofv.tiat might occupy these lon:IJy creatures in chej(mystcrious lair:s,. but confccron' runs mmpant throoghbut. the \'on.ex. Many secret-hunt«s believe that the trutlh of the \Vri1hing \\'orld's ge.nesis can be found buried bcnieatb the surfac<'S of one moon or another. The possibility that <'
THE CITIZENS OF THE
C llAWLING CITADELS
The most infamous denizens of the Writhing \Vorld :ire oot # pscudo-divinatory ft~ t he corpulent huskmen1 or the Tidous imcctik vermin that room the surface. The reputatjon ~of th e sorcerc:-B that find themsclvcsdr.1wn to the \lttMFotting cxPJosionsof life have- spread 1tlroughout ~beyond. The-ii' m!tstery-cf the riddles of life is uqocstiootd, and they lo rd ewer thjs plantt of m:rdlcn mbandon_
.somewhere on their orbiting ciudels. Whether- these nnswc rs might 11ddrcss die bloated ny clouds of the plane£, or lhe crea1ion ;ind control of the infumous Crawling Citade~ or of mysteries c-.'Cn dlarkcr of na«irc, has no :er bttn rcsotvcd. All th:u is truly known is that the Biomancer lords hold control of their moons with all the tightness of 3 death grip,. and hold their secrets closely e ven unto death. The mpst po""--crful of the cuncnt Biomancer Lords of the \Vrithing Vt'orld is Adjposc Rex, lord of Lowcncsse. Adjposc Rex is a mammoth., gargantuan man whose port1y, smiling face hides the coldly calculating mind of the master of che plan«. Adipose Rex rules O\ 'Cf the most fecund temperate zones o f the northern hemisphc«. Despite the impcrmancn-ce of surf.Kc fcaturtS on the planet, the gcnCf"ll tempaaturcs and V••'Cather pauems of this zone means that it is m o.\1 often hospitable to both the husk men and the panoply of \'Crmin. The moon Lowencssc is a glossy jade ball whose s11:amy jungles mid foetid S\.\'amps arc as\\'a.rm with violent, thr:ishing life. The Palace of Surfeit, surround!ed by swollen, O\tt-ripe t.ttts and the S'l'<'C'et stench cf rotting fruit, is an ugfy, squat st.ruaurt built from brown-gtten native stone. Strc:1:ks of mouJd and moss add sl.Jshes o f contrnsting colours down the low \\'alls. Craven, 1he l;argcst moon orbiting the Writhing \Vorld, is daimed by the longest-serving Biomancer Lord, AeOuvia Tamilar, lady o f G'r3VCti. The moon is a S\\'ollen dark o li\'C bolb \\'ith \'Cius o f ferolcnt brown entwined across its surface.. The lady of G r2\'Cn claims the tc-mpcrare southern regions, o nly slighdy less-hospitable than the domains of lord Adipooc. Lady AeOuvia's Castk Nimiety is locaced beneath the surface her moon, Graven. plung«I do\\
W3S so quick
to bring an unknown newcomer into his rctin-., but there is no disputing th:111 fuct. Yufrcth assisted the old Biomanccr l ord with SC'\.'e:ral massr..c- entctpriscs, ind uding the constroa:ion and anning of a new, Larger C-rnwling Citad~l. Soon after the oomplecion of lhe behemoth, howe..
upon the realms. of either Adipose Rtx or Lady Arftuvia in
Writhing World 10 learn ill sa:recr Each Biomanm lonl hJS
a ll that time.. lhr wannest ttgion of the planet is host 10 the most aggressive tribes of hus.kmcn. and Lord Cantric has been known to test his creations by engineering ~ssi vc conflicts among ihc ctibe~ and thtn introducing his creatures and -diseases into their midst The moon Oacdelon i$ completely covered with murt...7~ sh311ow water and high-rcachjng. spindly trees. $\.\'atms of fltes. snuJkr cousins to the giant specimens on the- planet below. fill the air, fooling the intaktsof crnft tlu t 'llttempc 10 land, and making breathing a noxious i:hore. COrd Can:t:rk:'s Forcrcu of Sutliat readies out from the 1;1udo\\'Y. depths and plunges thin, spine-like towers into the '9v.·cring sky overhead. The newest. Biomanccr l.otd to rise to prominence upon the Wt ithing \\IOrld ""3S Yufreth of Tidcc, lord of T abclar: Yuficth descended Upon the pl'3nCL akinc and un3rmcd and was, immcdlatcJy accepted by Lord Hu\\•aith Duse of Tabelar as .m apprc.pt:icew h- is onknown \A.'hy the rcc:ild tront o ld man
his or her own policies in dc,:iling \A.'ith ,such suppJicnnts. Some h3\."t' been known to accept many apprentices after only a cuISOry vcning proc~ most likely expecting dut the danger ofthe 'WOC'k i!Sdf woold v.'eed oot those \\'h.o lacked the abiJity or discipline to master the art Others set gruelling trials and g2untlets, forcing any v.t.o 'NOuld IC3m at their k nees neruly impossible- tasks and insolvable puzz.lcs, only to often eradicate cvm those: who pas these: horrble ordeals, for no other reason th30 to arlt rhcirpassing fuOC)t The only certainty :iny who seek the :as:siscancc of a Biomancer lord faces is that ·many mono h:r.-e died followinl th;ll path than ~ li\.-cd to tell oftheir success or failure The Crnv.·ling Cit:adck arc iPrrisoncd with forces of a mblcd, ch306c n:i.wn:. Many o( the mer;i and v.'Omcn who stllld upon the i\.'OI)' Y.':llls ate w:arriors nleruitcd fiom off wo~ 6ola. among the- most puissant and intimidating me-rtr.llll'b- .rl Screaming Vo1ttx. l\iany of the RSt rcpn:scnt die mostfcrocjous tribcsmrn rulkd fui,,n the kal,. mwiir
majoricy of chcir t'imc upon the churning wrfJce of their
...m
40 28 32 '49 3 7 3 6 35 3 2 Movement 3/ 6/9/ 18 Wounds: ( l Annour: Chitinous Armour (3 AIQ Total TB: 7 Skills: Av•:areness (Per), Interrogation (WP}, Surviwl (Per)+ 10. Talents: Cold HC3rtcd, Frenzy, Jaded, Swifi Attack. Traits: Unnatur.al Toughness (3). Weapons: Anccstl'"JI chitinous \'.'Cllponty (Mde.c; 2d 1O+3: Pen l; Crippling (1)). C·ear: Tattered armour of \'ermin chitin, ma keshift tools :ind
weapons, ornate bone fe6shes.
•
+5 0 1 41 58 38 2 1 3 8 2 0 12
y
f\.tovement: 10/ 16/ 22/ 40
Wounds: 22
Ann our: Chitinous Plating {4 All)
Total TB: 8 Skills, Acrob.tics (Ag), Aw.m•ncss (l'cr1 Dodge (Ag) +JO, Parry (IVS), Suoviwl (Per). Talents: Ambidextrous, Berserk Charge,, Blind Fighting. C:itfnl ~ Comb3t Mnster. H3rd Target, Heightened Sc~
(Smell), Leap Up. Traits-:
Bc:stinl,
Crawler.
Ot'adly
Natural
We,;ipons,
~adrupcd,
Wounds: S Movt'mcnt 3/ 6/9/ 18 Armour; Chitinous Armout (J All) Total TB, 6 Skills, Aw.ar
CC"ar: T.nttcnxl ~lothing crafted rrom sloughed off planetary
Size: (5), Sturdy,. Unnatural Tou,ghncss (l). Weapons: Scything fo relimbs (Melce; 2d (0+4; Pen 2}. Gear: None.
3 5 0 1 05 22 3 5 0 7 4 5 14 01 - .-
skin1 makeshift tools-and Y.'C3pon5, coveted bone fetishes.
Movement: 4/8/ J2/ 24
M.,._cnt J/6/9/ 18 Atmour, Chitinous Armour (J AIU llldlls, A-.oess (Pei), Survk.'31(Pe<)
Wounds: lOf Total TB, 2
~l)ilo- Sw.1\ Au.dt. 'l'nb Swum, Toxi< (3~ Variabk Siut. Jaws (Md
a..._
Wounds: 60+ Total TB, 8 Annour: None Skills, Awareness (l'cr), Dodge (Ag)+ 10. Talents: None. Traits: Bestial Daemonic (2~ Dark-sigh ~ Ryer {41 J:rom Beyond, Unnntun1I Toughness (6), Size (2). Sw:irn1,_ Vectors of t he Plague God's ~1inh t. t Vec:rors of the Plague Cod's Minh-: \\'hen.ever this creature hits with a melee 21uck (regardless of whether ct not i[ inflicts Damage), the target must m3k.c: a Challenging (+O) Toughness Test. If the target fai~ he must roD on Table ~t: Boons of the Plague God (:sec page 40} :ind immedioltely 3pply the n:wlts. Non-livin:g crcatun:s (and crca1ures immune to dise:.isc) arc immune to this~tfcCL
Weapons: lnfectiollS Maw (f'tiekc;_ t d5-3; !Pen Gear:-None.
O~
V...-.:r, _, pmno'
II-
o( dcvo1ion to Tzttnleborao outright dccbt11ion otaotoeN1 to .cud: the SC'pttt, Hindrantt. or its lllOC'N U lllKt 'Nith a
fa< -
fa! !f'=d ch<
lnadti. Ills .... bias~ llw... ,,. "'"""' .,,,..,,, riP<'6:6 ""}illtl
- Tnaiumission lntctccpt from the junky.ud moon of Allcti:t The " 'orld of tlindmnce, an unprcpouming SJUow orb of yellow·brown sand~ swn1hed In murky stonns and bbstcd by • consunt sti'C:am of \Varp cncrgit'3 v.•hich swirl and skitl around it, squats within 1 few sane weeks' r:m•cl from tM Thirteenth Starian of Pam~ One of the CJ~ming \\'Odds a1 the outct edge of the Scrnmtne Von.o, Hindraoce's growing "'f'UUlion as a pbcc s:xrcd t.0 the Lord of Dcay has led it to Nurgk's follow= buomc: • pba <>f f
"'"""nd.•c
THI! PATH TO H
r...
INDMNC.B
Hindrance's pla~uty system lies dirccdy in the path of a notorious \V.arp-cumnl known u Lhc Black Cyrc, which bps er.aft cmerg1ng from the (OrploC"'lhrouded m.lW of thr Thincmth Station of Pus• dircaty into a whirlpool of ddntd> cocrgks w!Ut:h gush ,.,.,...i -.nls th< ban ofth< Vona. The Cj-.. sldtti.tily an •IOOnd th< hotdUI region of~ known z the Atu1hnn2 and plwgcs in a v.m: spirsl into th: Gloaming Worlds qion. For those caught within thr Gyrc-'s clutches, the cxpcrirnc:c ls \.'Cry moch like being trapped in a smal l boat on a (a.a Oowing river being impelled towards a \
""°
hcany •dcocaK to the sys1em and a cbcer(.,I dedanbon tbal ~ 1~lkn. arr frtt to p:aru.kc in aUdl21 Hind~ md ia ctl\'ifOAI has to o.tTec The Sqxrt """ill lS('Oti vb.ton 10 my dd:1im1.on within the system, rhoogh they themselves will steer clc:ar of entering the orbir o( the black mO«I, l\1cgaria.
H INDRANCE ITSELF HindrnnC'c: ls 1 fundamentally ugly and blc:11k world f rom orbi1 irs undy suiface is the colour of d ecaying, gl't'a.sy Ocsh. Pocknutked with impact a:attrs fiom some long fo rgottt:n prdiisconc atad)-sm. she pbll('t is bl1nkcai WI m dJca &rimY cbc.11$ ""tikh arr intcm.tpttd only by occwional simll •nd oily...., wlUch «.....U.ly P"' ., dx bbdc, dead, aumbl,inl coaiu.. eroding ~ slowty bu1 inn-~. the A. llind<>nc< •nATiich nuka it SO itltmctjve co those who n=vtre 1hc d3i* pl, Nurglc.
••Icy.
'""'nd
or
V1S1TlNC HINDRANCE Civcn 1he vut \\'arp-storms whicli buffn the IC~ rcach1:n1 the sutfacr of the pbnet ts no simple Lall.. At •ny one: time there vc two o:r thrtt suc:ft nightnwc - . . cnwlin& skw.Jy •croG i~ and .11 sliILcd (ot inaanc) sb.D
"""'°"' .. "°""""''' ""'
r.iy piloc a >
There 3!C few pc-nn3ncnt ...sc:ttlcmcnts on Hindrnnce; the \\'.orld is ·jnimi.:al to proJonged human habitation, l:1cking potable Wl1ter or sufficient sunlight to foster the gro\\•t h of even the hardiest crops. AJthough the thin, dusry air tcchnlcally oont3ins ~he correct combination of clements in broadly the correct propon:ions to rcndct it breathable for augmtntcd hum:u~ the'3tmospherc is fill ed with microscopic dust particles which clog the lungs, c.au.sing visitors to hack and cough miserably within minutes of arriv:'IL Pro-longed exposure ro the planet's air causes the lungs to fill with bloody froth, which can lead to de.:1th if left untrt"atcd. The skies arc grey ind stormy, 3nd from c:hc surface the sun 11pecars only as :1 distant bro\\·n smudge. its v.·cak light barely penetrating the murky gloom. \\'hile there arc small mountain rnngcsofcrumbling sandstone, and minuscule polar caps fonned of yellowing and poisonous ice, the principk topography is dcst"tL
PusuLA Despite lhc harsh natorc o f the world's climitc, it is far from aninhabiccd. V"uitors cscotred to the surf.lee of Hindrance within 1hc- rittling and decrepit interiors of the Septet's httfcs..arc de-posited outside the: bounds of Pusula, a tiny, ~ ramshackle s,hanty towni o f around 300 souls. (,P.-la is the crest.ion of a burgeoning pilgrim cultutc 1moog the Nurg CuJti of the Screaming Vortex~ which. d~pitc ooly emerging \\'ithin the l:ast da; d 4 aeans. to enjoy '\l vivid canon of wicked 6il!lesofappvc:ntJy ~ndcnt provco.-ance. This loose 1
collective of pilgrims ate :. varied lot, their only common denominators being n de\'otion to Nurgfe, an obsession with accumulating ink'resting new diseascs. and :a lo'le of ttavt'L They vr.tnder across the entire Screaming Vortex and beyond, like 3 sv.-arm ofOics, never settling for long. aJways checrfull}• Sttking to infect whatever lies beyond t he oext hill, the next plane~ the next Sector. There ate certain sites which 3ct as ncx.oSC$ for these peripatetic lepers: p31ticuJ3r places which speak to something deep within their polluted souls, and whiCh serve to draw them together for a time to exchange- illnesses and rcconfitm their faith. Pu1ul11 has become soch a place. The to""" is composed of tcmpornry d-..vc~lings constrocted with whateva matetial the Nutg Culti had to hand when they arrived. As such it is a patdi\\•ork shantytown, a cluttered and mesi.y place thrown togethe< haphazardly. Tents arc the most common form of accommod2tion, though shacks- built from crates and impro\•ised caravans mad e from bones 3tC also ofien seen. Pusula is buiJt on a single dust tradt "sttcc:t'" over a pair of :ancient rusty shipping containers of imperial tmnuf'3cturc, which have been btiricd beneath the gritty desert S:1.nds. These cont:frners are used as septic tanks for the town, th ough they dooble :ts shelters when the WarpMtainted stonns p-3SS ~ obliter:ating everything on the surfa~. Most 1 \ \ ould1ind the idea of being confined neck d«p in ordure fur days on end v.·ith hundreds of others in :a t iny u:ndergroond space utterly app3Ui:ng, but to the NurgoCu.lt i of Pusula, t his is regarded as-an amusing diversi<>n. 11 pote.nti3I anecdote to rcg;ilc f~llow travcUers \\ith on some fu tute occasion. Lodttd,
some spe.lk higlhty of the experience,. referring Jocul:u:ly 10 -"taking the wate-rs on Hindr:mcc'" as if they had visited some fumed Sp:l on an exotic Jmpcrial p:iradisc world. Thetcw..n is ro-utineJy destroyed bythe frequent V.'arp-storms; this will h.ipptn l'WO or thrtt: tiRlC's every )'Colt Hov.·cver, its inhabitants are h2rdy and optimistic. After riding out the stonn in their recking b11nkcr; the milient group of survivors simply cmc:rgcs to gather" up wh3ttVer boiJding materials rtm3in withjn a 6\'c mile radius and begin agnin. They regard chis constant cycle of constru.c.tion. dco)I; destruction, and rcbuilding as amusingfy symbolic of Nurglc himscl( PmuJa is. un.usuall:y for 3 town f~uentcd by followers ofthe Ruinous Po"'t'N., -;a generally pe;iccful place. There arc occasional 011tbreaks of \·io~encc between cultists, but these uswlly ti:kc place during the- rush to the: storm shelters, and as such are regarded as unfortunate side effects of cin:umstances beyond
wastes, there to experience d.!C'3n1s 3nd visions that dlwnimle their masttr's plans for the.m. They bclie\'C th.lt hi:'re Nutgle .either sadly chides his errant children for their faJJings"bcfi>tt magnanimously setting them b.lc:k upon the path to glory, t'1cir sins forgiveo, !.heir faith having been tested and f'CSEorcd, or if their faith is \vctk,. punishes them, blasting their 'SOulS and funnelling them directly into the \Varp ilSClf. Those who venture fonb from Pusub into i.he wanes of Hindrance tend 10 do so in joviod plague caravans, -Sited with dozens of pilgrims bickering cheerfully among themscl\tt Those few surviving cultists y,•ho stagger b3ck in on.es and ty,·os ro Pusula are somehow altered by the experience. No less jocular, they are ne\'Crtheless morc focuse:d, more devoted 10 the task of spreading Nurgle's gifts beyond the Screaming Vonex. They arc s.:aid to h-ave C'Ompleted die blC3k pilgrim.age, and their words are hung upon by other Nurg Culti.
the control of all Qmuhn:I. Pusul:i is \'tty much a stopm'Cr tov.·n,
Those who suf11ivc the bleak pilgrimlg<: spa~ in r
a place to visit brietl~ and there 3rc no pennanent residents. A rich oral tradition is emerging among the cultists of Nurgle who vis~t Pusula. \Vhiche\'Ct is the l1rgest shack, caravan., or tent present within the town at any one time aces as a general meeting place for the assembled cultists. As the weak light of the sun f.ides- over the horizon, they reg.ale each 01hc1\vith stories about the Plaguefather, and in p3Iticular his relationship witfi the Yt'Orld of Hindrance., which issrarting to be teg.1rded as a Y•orld holy to him.
ph legmy voices 0 rjourneys lasting weeks through the blilSted desen "vastes of Hin
LEGENDS OF llrnDRA.'ICE 1t is now traditionsa Ifor those Plagu<' Cu ltislS y,flo visit Hindrance to take three steps in th cir pilgrimage to the planet Firstly, they must arri\'C a nd listen to the legends of those who h:ave travtlled illto the \\'3Stes of Hindrance before them. Secondly, they m\lSI then themseJvcs take a pilgrimage into the dcepcu deserts i.hemsel\'es, in order co commune with the desolate, entropic hean of Nurgle himself. fin3lly;. those who su"'i\IC this journey (and most do no1) must return to Pusub "and p:m on bo
T HE BoNE DESERT lhe SlU'\'ivors s~.ak of cncoontccing dcsens of ycllow· brown bonc--scatkd Slnd. At 6r.o( they encounter :s. fc\\...separ.ucd femu~ the odd sknll-oothing to the faded cubists ofNurglc, v.•ho \\'ill have scc:n far \.\-'Orsc on the journey to Hindrance. Suttly these arc the rc:mrunts of some pre"rious failed a rJv:m, one whose mcmbcn lacked the true faith o f those v.tio DO\\'~ lhem. Soon, however, the ttaveUCrs spc:1k of cncounter:ing·more bones. Not in ones und twos, but in se\•ens und eigh ~ piled up and :tgai:llst each other randomly. Then douru in one place. Then hundreds stretch.eel out OVC1" -SCVC1'3.I miles. And 6nall¥ the trave.llers spc3k of d csc.rb. ~h:at begin to consist solely of bones_ chc gr.Jins of san.d sinking away beneath the endless tide of death. Millions--pertiaps biJlions-ofcorpsc-s: The rheumy, inftamed C)'CS o f the suN iving bleak p ilgrims
s'hirte \\'ith an unhc.aJthy light: -as they speak of endless piles of ycllo\\•ing, desiccated bones, slowly di.~i ntcgr.aring and
coll:npsing into.dust beneath the pitiless grey lov:ering skies. \Vhece ha\T these bodies co1ne from. the Colti ask each other~ Theories abound. Some .s:ty a great war must ha\'C ukt:n place on Hindnnce in ages past. Others say these are the COJPSCS of useless slaves dumped from ori>it by the C>.atk Magi of Al,.aia~Still more posit that there must have been some great civilisation hen: once, overtaken by a great pl3glle. a suggestion which causes much excitement a·mong those :lssembkd. Those who h.:ive W3lked the blc-ak pilgrimage shake thcj1 misshapen heads, and c):aim th11t instead these ~re the bodies of all those v.-ho died in Nurgle's service, tr.ansportcd here mystiaiJly by his servants. They r.ispingfy assc« th:it Hindrance is the cankerro eye of Nurgle him.self, 11nd th:at to y;aJk across its surface ·is 10 draw his attention to oneself; those' deserving of his gracc arc tcW:u dcd, those undeserving arc shattered, their bodies cast to the di)• surface of the world to crumble to d~t.
FAITHI.ESS They further regale their rapt listene.rs '''ilh tales of Nurgk p layfully testing tho.st who \.\'ander the Bone Deserts \\'ith encount~ with the corpses o f the f-ajth le~ those who d ied in the sct\'ice of Nurgle but without the true &ove of their m.as{Cf rotting thcir souls 'fro m within. They s:ay that alier walking for many days thtoog h the Bone Descr~ subsisting tipo-n che rare me~gre fragmcrns of parched Aesh r..emaining on the bones of the fallen. the dead themselves <1risc and challenge them. These "F3jth.I~ take the form of the better pn:servcd bodies, still bearing odd scraps of clothing. Ghastly, sand encrusted driod corpses. the Faithless stagger to their dislntegr:uing feet and lurch to\\·ards the pilgrims; their mouths open in a wqrdless scrt:tm of jealousy and hatred, bemQaning the favour shown 1·0 chem by their very con tin!led a:iMcnce~ Such pitiful rcmn:ants of the faJlen are fee-bk individually, bot soon aris.c in gre::ucr numbers, shambling towardS the interlopers in tlheir dozens. They cannot be ~~cd or bargained with, 11nd must be s ma~hed aside by the ~ ~ into their "'3se components,. a sight v.fiich it,_dfilncd t.,. lhc bleak pHgr;ms 10 dotoght.Nurglo, symbolk it~ pNCCIS: 'Of disintegration. of things f3J Iing ap:i r1 rolheduK
25
01
25
30
21
16
32
20
ll
Movement: 2/ 4/6/ l2 Yi'ounds: 45 Annour: Nont' Total TB: l Skills: A\\o'!ltcncss (Per), Heightened Sens;e (Soond). Talents: None. Traits: Dark-sight, Fear-(2), From Beyond, Natur;al \Vc-apons, Vectors of the Plague Cod's ~1 i:rtht . Weapons: Rotted Fangs and Desiccated Talons (1\'1elee; ld l0+2; Pen OJ.
C·ear: Tancred rags and patched scmps of skin . t Vc-ctOf'.S or the Plague Cod's ~ilrth: \Vhencver this creature hits with 3 mclec attack (regardless of whether er not i~ inAicts Damage), the target must m:ake a C.haflenging_ (+0) Toughness Test. Jf the target fai~ he must roD on Table 2- f: Boons of the Plague Cod (see page 40) and immed iately apply the R.'sults. Non-living crearurcs (and creatures immune to disease} an- immune to chis ctTect.
Those few pilgrims\\'ho cbim to have surviVt'd encounters \\'ith the nusscd Faith lcu say that they cvcntlt3lly pass through the Bone Oescm, d isatded gle.imjng skulls glaring l't'pro3chfully 3l their b:icks, and th:at they W\lnder inco a OC\\' region~ the remnant ofwhat must once ha\'e been a great vokanic plain. Herc, the cultists spend days \l.'8ndering across a silent. urtcrfy-d csol:ate l:lndscapc, with no gcologiaiJ feature more than a re\\' inches high. The skies arc da.rk, 3 few \l.'(.''llk stars glimmering indistinctly:. The twin moons pass O\'Crhe:td in unpredictable p~nerns, obSC\Jring the stars and occasionally eclipsing the murky sun. The glass bl:ick moon of i\1egaria noses those v.·ho gaze upon it for too long to fall into 3 deep depression, tho11ghts of despair :ind misery overtaking their conscious minds. When the rusring junk-·moon of Al:tcti:t is ovethcad, those same individU:aJs become chcctful and ~nergetic, despite bcing by OO\\' clothed only in tattered rngs 'llnd being dcljrious from Llck of food or water. The fe\\' survivors of this fevered death march describe how after what could! h:r-·c been days or \\'ttks of W11lking. with black sand crunching underfoot, the sky darkens., the tell-talc signs of one of tile gtt'3t \Varp-stormi appro3di. All surviving Bleak Pilgrims tell their audjcncc that at thi$ point lhcy \\'ere expecting to be torn to shrc~ by the power of tht storm, which shrieks and \\'ai~ and seems to funnel itself purposefully O\'Cr the horizon. The bleak pilgrims descn1>c hO\\' the~· followed the storm, dr.iwm by some instinctual fttJing th:at they \\'Cre being called by t:he ho\\· I of the wind itself. T hey tell of bow, :after journeying for 3 furthe r agc, they came to sec in the distance what appeared to be some form of lo\\' buildin.g. As they approach, they realised that they ..,.·ere nt '3 great dist-ance from it, und that~ such it \\'as built on :an impossibly titan.ic scalc. Approaching rhe building O\'Cr hours that n·cntW1Uy s-trctch into days, they fin3lly arc able to pick oot its individual features. The~ arc m.:iny different descriptions of the buildin&and the precise dcttils vary for each teller, lc3ding some co .suppose that C\'C'f)' cultist secs '3 different construction. Some describe fallen pill.:irs hundreds of feet in circumference th:tt would h3\'C rcachc.d kilometres into the sk~ supporting a _roof 1hat must ba\1c \\'cighed more than most ci1ies before its collapse. Oth cn mention crumbling spires .or domes; yet othC"tS taJk of a single fallen ziggurat slumped under its O\l.'n weight. However it appears physk:aUy to those who stagger back from the W3SlCS, the building is inv3riably described :as a ..temple," -albeit one constructed on a scale which \\'Ould dwarf all but the largest cathcdraJs of the lmpcrium's CorpscCod. Apparently hewn from some black stone, the temple is :;1]'1.•ays spoken o f :is-broken and shattettd, and all "'ho hll~ seen it agree tlt:it it continues to crumble and disintcgr.ue before thci:r \'Cry eyes, \\'ith some architectural fcature sliding aw.iy to obliviom as they approach, or with a constant l'!lin o( slates or bric~ falling from some obscutc corner. This '"'Brokt'n Temple,: :tS ii is known, s:its at the heart of the eye of the v..ast storm \\'hich \\>hirls around it. 4
THE EMJJODIED F URY OF THE Goos As the bl:i& douds of the: Sloan move (O\\'ards the ccntl't' of the .,'3.S'l whirlpool centred OVtt the Temple, chcy ~asm sickening~ coolcscing and splintering into thotwnds r:A bcsW~ winged figures that floc-k to the j~d r:.tficrs of the Broken Tcmplc. The Bleak Pilgrims claim these Chaos Furies a~ C>.lc-,mons formed from the vc.ry soul srutT of those faithkss Nurgk wotshipecs whose corpses line the Bone DcsclU.. They sqD3bHc like- animals. raking the basaJt \\'3Us of the temple with their daw!.. yet they do 4
not =ult the pilgrims ~iio approach the
Movement.: 5/10/ 15/JO Woundso 15 Armour. None Total Tiit 4 Skills, A"~"'""' (Per), Dodge (Ag)+ 20, Psynls<;cnce (Perl. Talents: ~ci ghtened Sense (S.mcll). Traits: Bestial, Dncmonic (1), Dark-sight, F'Jycr (S). Beyond. De~1d ly Natur:il \Vcapons. Wcapo ns: Clollv.·s and Fangs (2dJ O+ 3 R; Pen tdS; 'I'; • Daemonic Pttscnc-e: All enemies within S ~ Chaos Fury suffer a-> penalty to Willpower Tat&
n..
Inside the tcmpk. .stainC'd by •crumulatcd «nrorics of tM stinking daemonic- sp<>OY the Furies, 1he pilgrims disc~d n.amcs c1chcd into the walls of the building itself; imaibed in uny lcut:rs,, battly k&iblc. Then: "·c~ billions of nan1,cs,.ttaehutC 11p the- toWCrinc 1nccnul •"lllh of the- temple. cewtring C\-'C')' nook and scon( c. lhcsc ~ the Bkak Pilgrims' cbim, the names of the followcl'1 o f Nutglc. chiaelled here by some unseen, foetid ullym;a,n sctklng frui tles.11y 10 cn13loguc and define the un~rsc. :in insane and impo"tblc cffon to rnp cbc untvcnc in unchanging dcc:ay fo«Ytt. He~ me fcw s..iMving pdgnms find ~ compc:lil:d 10 scoor the wa.D.s of 1he 1cniplc for thctr own n:imct,. pro..,ing their v.wth u followcn of 1he Rotfathc-r. Given the i1npossible scale of the Broken Temple, this t:»k can c.lkt: m;1ny Y.'ceks; the pJgrims ""' (Qtttd to degr.adc: thcmsetvcs by coo.su.ming tht corpses of thoJIC -..ilo MT r~,kd to compkce chc bSk; 10
or
comtruct ladders from lh< bonCJ of !hoc umc fallrn which enable them co pt"tuse the names m:nrked on the hl&hcr w:alb. 1hosc who admit defeat in 1his stt-mingly impossible wk MC imta:ndy iom to shreds by the C"lt'f-vigilanl F'urics, their touk ripped &om their bodicl. dw:tt ID join the nnks of their ktlk-rs. HO'WC'o'tf. those "'ho pc'1'$1C'\'Ctc", "'ho ~1l n chttrful despite the xemingfy impossibl e iind fruitless n:itu~ of their wk, arc C'Y'Craually rcwa.rdcd with sight of lhcir own o:imc. scmchcd in 1•ny lettcn fttbly Into some ob«\Jtc cr.umy of the- q"Clopun ~ At thd moment. lhcir sutus u 2 uw foU...
"""""'of
another"'"'
THE BLOAT ED PILGR IM Those Bleak Pilgrims who h3VC wandered the Done Dcscns •nd v.•ho have 1u tvivcd the tri.11 of the Brokc1'1 Temple ate oow mvkcd ., ...,. robust and ck>dly than thot< did - . lbcir ro.i.rudc h>S been .....i by Nurglc. bur rhctt ;, one final test for them. As they recount their expcric:n.ces to those y,•ho have yc1 to commence their pilgrimage:, their eyes grow bright ..... ith ll'ltt, and their ,,ioltts tremble. their thro3:cs fillin& "'rith sickly phlegm. Thq' Jpc2k of how. aJ they suggucd in ianettd r.wgs. dchydnncd, haUuclnating. SUJ'\>inc. snd fall.ill& ptty :u Last to the many diS.C2SCS ....thich h..vt beset chco1 fot y('.Dn, the)' encountered a single bloaic:d pdgtim in a c:u~n apparently a>nwu
""'°
"'"'°"' .,_
bl~nkct
"Slot.far""'-' •
"rJ,,...,,._
6td /»"' ....16<,.,,,,,. Tlom:,_,""1a:zc""'6 _,,,~ ..J) 1-d !nmh.'
-Th< M•ny-Eycd O..de ofCh•os H:tnging sHcndy in lhc: wq skies or Hindrance, tht' moon of Megari:0 is a baleful and w mbn: presence. Ir appears as t1 black orb, utterly dark. Light it'ClnS to fn ll into the moon itstlf, :ind it r3di.:atcs .:a dour and palp;able sense: of menace:. Tr:r.'tlling to the moon ls an almost suicidal c:ndeavou~ uny ship ch:at docs so diKO'l«a that Mc:g:iri2 po.ucsses a &l"SViry weU tku a. complnely out of proportion to i.ts siu. Whik lhc moon's ndJUS it1elf' is: lea dun a thousand l ilomt:ms. it rcgistcn to the sysarms of any approaching WS1r'I u r s ···g a gr:MLltiOGal fie.Id tquMknt douns of .,b, nwscs, lrigg
'°
of l'USbng mech:mica.I dcvkcs. suO.td 11\ID IOMS r... high. The moon bruns "'"' decrq>it med>anOC>I equlpmem savc:ng
me
the moon's bizarre: gravitational field, The moon thus posscssc:s many of 1hc: praptrti<"S of a nc:uuon st:ar, thoogh its sazc a.nd su1bk (if eccentric) orbit 11round Hindrance, a mcdium-si.1cd 1crrcstri1I pbnct, suggests th2t it is in f:Kl something eK. For most visitors to the: Hindnnc::r sysaem it remains 11 d&SqUicting cnigm:I.. H~ for those "'bo wonhap Nuf'llt. ii is yrt aoochcr holy p.c.. symbolic of du< cl hk duna.er "1lich rept
ALACTIA
Mo"'°'
aOSIC'd ln10 lhc Scraming Vortex. ml found lhc Hindnncr
S)'*'m much to their liking. ~ pio~ we~ much
im prcsxd by the ckar symbolic: links between the system and The Lord or Ott2)'. :and ch us tbey op1cd C(> ' lay Jnd cransfotm lhc v.-orld into :a place plC3Sing to them, Known since that time as the ;\1agl 1\1orbos, these Nurglcsquc hercteks l:Kk the profound depth o( spiritual corruption found in the Biomancers of the Wt11h1ng \\'offd or lhc U-nhoty technological prowcs.s o( the \\';upsmiths of Welph. llian is rougher, readier. and
moc'C"
pr:actial form
of upcrtisc. stilt ~pc.M·en-d by the ~-.ccd ~ o f the Saeaminz: Vom:x.,. but focussat vpoo achtcvini more modcs:t aims: dun the CfCllion of new life Of the bi.nding of Daemons into mcch:anical devices. lhc: ~\agi Motbos insteJ.d xc thcmsc:Ms JS tradesmen. there 10 fulfil 1 prcssin& ntt'd among the ipacrfaring communities of the Scrcam1ne: Vo~x_ for the maintenance of their vessels, v.·hi(h arc lnwri:.bly much b:ttlCrtd by th<' prevailing conditions. The i\1-:igi Morbos •pend 1heir d:iys in wom and pa.tdicd mcuum suits, merrily toil in& on the hulls of orbiting ancient st:uships, like liCJ mwlin g across the corpses of beached .., hales.
'71'J '9rbst16< M"lJ Mwl># Jin<• pmJur Dtd-. t
The third major body of the Hindnince system, Abctia, is famed across the Screaming Von cx IS ..1he junkyard moon." Prom space, its pitted nnd M ling Iron surface resembles nn overripe, rotting. orangc--colourcd (ruit, surrounded by buzzing insects. These •insccu" tire In f:1ct the mercantile fl~u of the O;irk Tech-Prtau of Al>eti2. the Magi l\i\orbos. .-..ho. fiom s.ma.U beginnings. haw bu1h !heir world into a m~nor rcg:Kicu.l powtt.
Abaia is the most hab.ublc o( the thttt tcdns of the Htndr>nC< sysoem. though 1h• is hardly• .,...00 boost @Mn tftc e-mcnil): inhaspii.bk mturc: o( lu terrestrial bodies. It bdn a thm, acrid atmo.sphctt that can susuin hum.an life o( 1 k1nd., and i1 lacks the vicK>us \Varp-d:riven storms of H&ndrancc or the crushing gr.rvr1111.on:al field of Megaria. The surface of AlactU is. save (or ii (cw denuded l3nding fields 9Cftine: :as roogh and n:ady 11:.tpo·ns, entln:ly coi.·e.tcd in a
Th< M•&i Motbos .,. h.lppy ., accepi f'IY"'<"' ror this -1< "' lh< ronn of slms or plw>cla. bu1 a f"""Ubr
"'°"'
intcrat in conridcnrioo th.a ukc:s dY form o( nu.lf'unccioning mcdunial me cider. more dc=pol •nd """pin me
bctt
CUS!D1DCB xt
rm: 10 infoa one of the
with some n~ and intt'rCSbog di1euc. OI 10 ronsent to hlVt: thclr entire crew receive any of the variocas 1cdinoll\llladics and viral wrack-codes arried by lht t¥taf 1hemsclvcs in ~ymcn 1 fot Y.'Ol'k carried ooL
MIR E 'Y11t -i,;p flah. "'Ids/;"""'"ftrli•g, prruyflah. &rill< u dont. ,.... Lry ~ - loi""'J tbt m•h -ff.,;,.....jivio flolo "'1r di ,_adtllill"" ..a., tbt t...11{AD dooais.. -Garica, Pn0mi~ of Mirt:
Obscr.iing Mire rrom afar, there ls little more co perceive than a m;us of whhc 2nd grey clouds that swirl above :t barren btoWn b.od.Japc: sO'c:tc.hcd .:tOSS tm ,,.·bole o( the pb:nct. Th
or
unifocm,. perpetually nicked by rainfall that ls !IS persistent as it is common, no muter"'~ on the pbnct you might be. Ocspiu: the 11u110Sphcn:'• (IORSistent "udKr fQltt~ the entire • 'Df'ld IS almost dt-.'O.id of l.ifc. The few sorcerers and hcrc&eks unfortunate enough to 6nd 1hcm.sc-J\'es on Mire h-avc dc,rclopt"d numerous cheoties .u to why :md hov. 1he planet came to be: .so banicn. posmbtio ns of 2 tr.rli'C:lling Wup vono:. nas of ckmcnul renos.. and rhc auchinati oM of ttneg1dc "bgos Biologu UC' among the most populat The truth of the entire matter of Mirt has bttn shrouded by the pass.age of clmc, bot anefaccs of its history c~n be found by the ambitiou.s 11nd foolh2rd)t The oc:ar-
r•ht-ttd r...
_._&om
ablorbing the Life-Eater v:iNt clut the lmpm1.1m of ~\an dropped onto Mire. Countless 1colyttS fell to the diic::ascs th2t t m:tnatc:d from 1hc F:i.tht:r oft>C),lilcn~ thcir immune systems • ;napablc of copcng w
all of chc rcmaininjl ltndmmo: weft wuhcd IWJY inro SCH
and oceans of mud. Those tha1survived the cataclysm spre.:id \\'Ord of the 1ncvltuble de.:1th to :iny that b rave the below. Of the origiml wcnhipc n .,.cd b)• N~T<. only one oc rwo million wrvt«d chc: long Rain, md half as many perished from che finaJ dCSth chroes of the Nibilo 0'*'1'. Those th.at rctru1incd havt" been b~ries~ to scrvt in thC'ir Black Cn.iudes unknowingly arry whh them the ttutst mission:uics of the i\1astcr of Pestilence, sprc:ad:ing his 1nre.t.'tious gospel to the f.tr cotnen or the gab:q: The Mimas sprnd oot from V'inslous co the- bobled sb'c nds that ~ tbc ~nc1'1 only""" " g.,..nd, anyWtg s1mpks from the ultra-po1Ju1cd swamps lhll survived ~ btush against 1hcir lord's ptesence in the- v:iin hopes or ('IJltiVlting an edible rcsoun:e Stt2incd to the limiu of f-.tigue and ~Don.. tbq- scctlrd :ap;ut from one anolhcr. =ting dt1WIKS dcttnnJncd by plagues p..,.d Oft through generations or ccrcbnJ consumption. The sCtOnf:CSt ~1itens 2nd those n:1lur11lly gifted by Chaos 2re prr vy to chis revered bounty of the ttecn1 dead. crc:J'line a po.tent new ruling class ofttn stttpcd in the po-.-us of tht Warp: Priom.irs. Thoe bn1~ xions of dll
or
Vmuwus lf •could bc sUd dm M;.. lucl •"""""' YonAous woold be U. 5".-1 mlhe >hchtt pmaJ by • - P = ofdo* pbtiog U... nl'f'Cdoffd.. NV,Wo.a...,,,. ....,Rd - lhe lhc C"lltft- scnkmcm I.Ms :ind d.cs Ypon tfv: apricious \\trim of the Kas.n, who is bl<...d by rhc ~God
"""°"'"'"
The Kei.s3ri of Yirulous arcw f:at on the br.11ins of C'\'ery corpse that fell near his 1ribc. gorging himself for decades on lhe neural delights of (hous snd ~ 1\iircns. As the popol:ation of his city grew; so did the presence of Daemons on 1\~i rc. Now dozens of Pbgue~srers. Nurglings:. Beasts of Nurglc, and Rot A.it.s ro;1m outside of 1hc h:apha.z.ard S('ttlcment. m JUring that the colkaM dead arc l>RM.igh1 to the: Kcisari for consumption. ~ ultn ~poccn1 Priomi1t has COiW ro f
or
ViruJous is an cspeci:ally d:ing
f.,...,.
The Kc:inri knows of O
MYSIEIUES OF MIRE
Several .aspiring Priornites :a.nd hondrcds or Mircns h:a~'t' d ied attempting co find d;ie rumoured h 'l\ICO of the life Eatcr virus jn 3 dcs~rl tt: attempt (O t:lro the KeWri's f.1V0ur and a week's woe1h of all the food they can e:u-thc-ir blo3ted cmperoc
3 3 2 2 3 2 33 Movement: 2/4/6/ 12 Wou nds: 9 Armou" Dcod Tossv<(I All) Total TB, 4 Skills, Aihlctk• {StKngrl>) +0, Dodge (Ag) +O, StC21th (Ag) +0, Survhral (Per) +0. T:llcnts: l jghtning Reflexes; ResiSt2.ncc (J>oiso:ns). T raits: Narural \\'capons, Toxic(1), Un n:itun.IToughn«S{l~ Weapons: Claws and Teeth {ldi0+3 R; Pen O; Primitive 17), Toxic II]).
P RIORNITE Some 1\<1ircns 3rt nalutally gifted by th< Plague Father; dei."tloping into psykrs. These chiJdrtn are the scions of esteemed bloodlines and g:i.in their abilities from generations of certbral c.a.nnib.alism that 1csult in a. \\•idc range of enccph:alitic affl ictions. \Vere. it not for this sunincd diet of brain matt« (especially from their kin) thcsc gifu would come to an end:, but there ne\•er seems to be a rime whcrt a clan of these fearf(l:lly inpected (and dubiously insane) Mirens is lacking a pov.•crful Priornitc. Every Priomitc champions a disease; all h:l\'e access to Nurgle's Rot, but each carries their pGrriCU lar affi.iction 3S :i badge: ofpride and supplication to the Pbguc lord. \Vhire they might suffcr from their sickness v.tiilc in repose) in battle they arc cmboklencd and empowered by the Crcru Corroptor, their bodies ~generating .as soon :as v.'OUnds are intlic:tcd upon them.
WREICHES OF MIRE These gaunt alabaster humanoids have soft skin CO\tted in d iseased Ocsh and infectious growth, their eyes dc\toid of pu·pils and consumed by d3rkncss.. Sharpened, yellow teeth spit oot their mumbling feraJ l:inguagc, degrading in quality as the cstt'em of its speaker i nc~ascs. Hunched over :lnd littk other than bones, their affiictcd skin is chitinous and rough, m:iking thcJr taloned hands into effective v.'C3pons. Thcir ttitxal societies \\'Otship plagues and sickness1 honouring those with the most aggressi\'C or violent aflljccions. C:mnib:ilism is ns fundamental to their culture as di.sc:a.sc:. \\'hen the nrc Pyrion or "clean one,. is found. if it is identified by -a Death PriC'Sl,. it is immediately slaughtered and consumed (just likt' oUof the other
• 37 2 9 3 1 4 1 22
29
22
47 45 16 '
Movement: 2/4/6/ 12 Wounds: 14 Annou r: Rotting Skin Robes (2 All) Total TB: 6 Skill" Aw•roncss (Per), Dodge (Ag) + IO. Forbidden Lor< (Nurgk)(lnt) + 10, Psynisdence (Pa) + JO. Talents: Psy Rating (3), Resistance (Poisons). T raits: Psykcr. Regeneration (1), Toxic (1). Unn:itural Toughn
The vcrysoiJ of Mirt" is infused with lhc blood, ban~ and brain mJttcr of i:1s popul3cc, cougc:aled i~tln tly in10 organic slop by the: life-Eater Virus. \VhiJe U':J\ICUing through the lmmaterium, something congt:tled the consciousness of the de:id Mitens into W2fking mo nsuosities th3l have come to be known as Lutomo~ 'These garganruan creatures rise from the mud Aiat~ 1hcir hoge bodies formed from countless corpses that fonn into crude limbs. They Wl.llk the surf3ce of the planet from rime to time and no scholar ytt has bC'ro br:tvc or foolish enough co attempt to dilicO\."« why (and live to tell of it, a l le:is~ . legends tell of Priomites and De:nb Priesis riding on the backs of these r.nassi\'C' cteaturcs :u they W3de into the few battles th3t mark the history of the: dcad world, though none: art" sure how they ct me to tune or nc:goti3te with such mysterious. 1norbid beings. These ~1assive amalgamations. of the dc:3d art" ponderous but truly dangerow; slamming their enonnous fists {jutting with multitudes of jagged ~nd broken bones) into the ground with unn:ttur31fore<. \Vhen a tatget Oees or proves too nimble to slam w ith it~ limbsi the Lutomorbus Aings pieces of its fonn at them instead; the corpses explode into bone shtapncl upon imp!ct, kiJling most near v.-hcrt'\'cr it lands. All the while, it wai Is a baleful mo3n as il fighis or searches for ever more cpponcnts to tidd to its body
43 34 52 43 25 16 34 3~ 3 5 19
"70
'f
Movement: 5/ 10/i 5/30 Wounds:: 120 Armour. None Total TB: 15 SkHls: Awareness (P
Id lo+ 141: Pen l : Concuss;,,., [2), BlastjS[. Felling j41).
BEAsr OF NURGLE These bulks of fescering Daemon-Oesh are bareJy mon:intclligcnt than Chaos Spawn, bttt cquall)• as playful as their diminutive cousins. They oozc aao.ss the lxlttlcficld, gleefuU y wresding che nearest opponent; once they have succumbed to 3ffliction or been crushed co death, 1he Beast of Nurgle moves 10 the nearest u.rget to resume its ghastly sport
'
'f
21416/t l Wounds: 25 Total T B: 12 Armour: None Skills: Athletics {S), Av.·3reness (Ptr). Talents: None. Traits: Crawler, Daemonic (l). Dark Sight, Deadly Natutal \\'capons. Fc3r (3), From Beyond, Natur.d \VeaponSi Regeneration, Size {6), Spcv.·ing Tcntaclest. Sw:rdy, Toxic (2), Tr.lil of Slimc'tt. Unn.3t:ural Toughness (5), 'Varp 1nst:ib'ility. Weapo ns~ Tcnt:i.des (f\o1cke; 1 dJ0+5 R; Pc n 0: Toxic 12D . Daemonic Presence: All enemies 1.o.·ithin 20 metres of a Beast of Norglc suffer a - 10 pcn:ilty to \Vilfpoy,·er Tests. t Spewing Tentacles: Beasts o f Nurglc bcara.lll3sso f tcnt:aclcs on their bac~ As a !='ull Action,. a Beast of Nurgle can make a Ballistic Skill Test to unleash one of the foUowrng clTccis: • Clo uds of Flitt. The Brast of Nurglc unleashes a cloud of biting Oics. This h~ the Smo ke (7) ~ality (sec p3gc I'5 J of the Bu.ca: CRUSADE Core RuJebook), centred on the Beast. Foul Cases: incredibly noxjous fumes spew forth from the: Beast of Nurgle. Eadl living creature within tO mrtrcs of :i Bc3st of Nurgk most nu~ Oiffiro.lt f-10) Tooghocu. Test be Stunned for l dS Ro bnds. Nox-jous Fluids: The BC'3St ofNo.rgle spn1ysa jetoffkaid dtat cats lhrough anything it strike$. One cargtt within LO ...."""' make a Oifficuk (- to) Toughness Test or su1li< a singie hit that inflicts ld 10 lmpac1 D.im.agc (ignoring·.,...,rr("' ftTrail of Slim~: Bdsts ofN urg!e Jett.: 3 wake ofdis~ slime Wherever they wnlk. Any character who walks. lh p an area so defiled mu.st m;ike ~ Difficult (-IC)) Ti Test or suffcr ldlO lm1>3<.1 Damage (ignorina Toughness Bonus) from the c:Jrcinogcns.ln the ~iove.mc nt:
28 1 5 19 3 5 1 1
'
..
43 43 43 :\2 61 34 43 4 3 Movement: 6/ l21 l8/ l6
Wounds: 40
Total TB: ( 2 Skill" Awarcn
Weapon" Pl.gue Sword {Id!(}+!! R; IPcn 4; Balanced,
NURGLING These pemicM>us 2nd c3priciom Daemons erupt from the boils and pustules lh.:it poCk the flcs!h~· hide.' of Great Uncl01n Ones. They aper 2nd dance about the gtcatcr Chcmom, causing mischief "·hcnc\'C.':f possible, consrnndy giggling as they pl3y. Thc:ir enemies are 3nother matt.er entirely, and \\'oold do well to aVoid theirs.harp claws; thQS(' th.at survi~ the rake ofa Nutgling's talotu often find I.heir v>'ounds festering and incurable.
16 43 2 5 0 l Movement: 2/4/6/ l2 Armour: None
Vlounds: 70 Total TB, 4
Skills: A\\':tf'C'n<'SS (Per) +20. Talents: Swift Attack, Takedown.
Trails! O.emooi< (2). O..dly Norurnl We•pons, mr(1). From Beyood, Natuml Wcap::i~ SW3rm, Toxic (l), \Varp Instability. Weapon" Te
Pl.AGUE DRONE The ca;valry
Tox-icl4 D, Pestilent Proboscis {R:ingcd; 30m; SI-I-. td £0+4 I; Pc:n 2; Pestilent Slimet, Toxic 14D. Infected Wounds: \ VhenC'YCt a urget fails the Toughnc~ Test from the Toxic ~ali ty of a Plague o.,onc's attack, the t:trget also sutT«S IdS Toughness Damage. t Pestilent SLin1e: When the Plague Drone i.nJlicl'i Damage (after reductions for :tnnour and Toughness Bonus) with t his \\'eapon, the target also su!Ters l d lO Toughness l.hmngc. Daemonic Presence: All enemies y,•ithin 30 metres of n Pl.ague Orone suffer a-20 penalty to \\'illpio"-'C.r Tests.
ABcELLYOTH, liERALD
OFNURGLE The Daemons of Mire do not entirely disperse "'hen they a.re desl'fOyc:d and frngments of thrit being .suffuse the pl3net's soil Shortly aficr the dC3d V.'Otfd's emergence from the \Va('.p, thousands of Q3cmons th.at materialiSC'd "'ithin 1hc many cavcrrus beneath the surface were crushed to death as the mud-cavcs rcscakd themselves in torrential washes of dirt during the long Rain. These dfsparotc expressions of Nurglc's po'>''cr congealed, coalescing into Abccllyoth, a true Hera.Id of Nurgle. This collect.ion of \V:up.,sp:awncd i:ntities has been sajd to tum into a tempest of "'<'nnin th:u dC$Ccnds onto seulcmcnts of 1\1i1cns bereft of their Priomite, coasumjng C\'crything but the slate rock upon \1:h.ich their primitive mud-houses and tents once stood. A scion of d iSC'Jlsc1 this monstrous m:iss of vermin floats across the battlefield. sewing infection on the fon:cs of enemies and allies :dike. They wander the mud flats of 1\1in; doggedly ptm:uing anyone unlucky enough to cross thejr P3ths without a Priornit<' to~ the eldritch consciousness. Even the 1'3\'Cnous Mirms chomc no-t to eat "1 corpse lefi by AbttlJ}
34
Herald of Nurgle itsc-lf, howc-.•er, iS- never subject to ~ negative effects from such rolls. When activaced, this power nullifies the Cloud of Flies abiHty for one Tum as the vermin aJI swarm Abcellyo.th's targ
THETHANATOR The Thanotor, an 'lncicnt ovcll'lord of Mire, is ll Priomitc- of the most advanttd :ig< and festeri ng po\\'Cr. His ..SOC'tt(Q(l:S nbilitics are terrifying in combat,. and his maggot-worn mind is cunning stiJI, despite the loog ages he h-i1s ruJed. The Plague Cod has gf3.nte.d this loyal ~rVD n t of his with not only cldritch girts, but al.so with visions. The ihanalOr -aw:iits lhc arrival ofseveral po....,·c-rful Herctics,<1nwbosc-qtlCSl 1hc- Lord of flies h:as buzzing, gurgling whjspcrs say he must assist \Vhile the Thanator \\'Ould never defy his di:uk god, he demands: che rcspccr du.c him as :in anc:ieru :ind powcrfnl pacron of rot on the wretched ""'orld of f.,\jrc from alJ who _p:3SS through h"is dom3jn. Th.e Priornilt Th:inator plays an important role in the :Kl~ntun: contained in this,'Olumc, The: H_c-art of the Vortex, guiding the Herctia to new heights of pov.·et and nev.· dc:pths of despair. ..
5 2 34 43 52 34 5 2
Movement: 5/ l 0/ 15/ 30 Wounds: 30 Armour. None Total TB: 12 Skills: Awareness (Per) + 1O. Dodge (Ag) + (0, Psyniscience (Per) +JO, Schol>Stic Lore (Numerology) ~nt), Sp<•k Langu•gc (Mirca) (Int). Talents: Crippling Strike, S\\•ifi Attack. Traits: Daemonic (6), Dark·sight, Fear 4 , From Beyond, Natural \Vt'3poms, Sickly lnfiu
_12 19 23 '43 16
;s l'
Movement: 1/2/1/ 6 Armour: Putrid Flesh (1 Al~
Wounds: 21
Total TB~ 6 Skills: Awareness (Per) -+0, Forbidden Lore {Nllrgfe) (Jnt) +20, Psyniscienc< (Per) + 20. Talents: Psy Rating (5), Resisi"1nce (Poisons). Traits: Psykcr, Rcgcncrntio:n (7}, Toxic (7), Unnatural Toughn= (l). Weapons' Plugvc-C.uldron Staff(2d 16+5; Pen 5; Duay
IJ I
!sec pllgc 42]. Force). Psychic Powers: All of the Nurgle Psychic Po\\•crs(sce pages 215- 216 o f cbe Bu.ex C-Jtus.1.oE Core Rulebook).
THE FROZEN HEART *lrS bmf /tJ right IKJ&rr JIS! All~ haiv:JDughtf()f'. Alf m-J,.rw sttMd for. 10r btawy. 11Jc lm'Ot'. T1Jr very ISSC{Kr .ofC"'hP.os 1Pitbin fNIT pp. Brot/;;tn, ro arms!*
-Lase te<:eived transmission of i\1ith ~ Bloodsl.aycr Lord he lpwer \'ortc.x defies logical expl-analion. The po\\·cr of Chaos engulfs the entire region, leaving it adrift from such mortal conoepts ns rime and spa-cc. \Vithin this realm everything is possible-and the power of the Chaos Go& is at its a~ lu ~e z«1itlh. The worlds trapped within the lower Yoncx arc r:l\\' and seething. utterly untamed an-d impossible to inh:tb-it by anything more than the most
T
w1etched of the lost and the d-.imnOO. Jn this realm, Daemons rule and the sctc:unsof the pitiful invade the minds of 11nyone stiJI san-c c.nougb to hear them. At the centre of this swirling nightmare lies the Froun Hear~ a world chat exists as the literal eye of the storm. Legends surrounding the Daemon World V'Jl"f mo~ than any ·within the Vortex, tlnd while records exist of various attempts to cl:aim whatever prize may lie on its blasted sutfac.; little proof exists that any returned.
E YE OF THE STORM To the cursed fe""' tha.t have stepped upon 3 Da.cmon ""'orld and tr.-cd lO cell the t1I~ the 'WOrlds of the Lov.:er Vortex tlte pure hell .An 311athem:e to tradition-al life, these \1:otlds boil with the unbridled energies of 4hc \Varpand exist as playthings of the-Chaos Cods. Spoken 3S tl world of b:il:tncc, hoY.:evcr, 1he Frozen Heart appears to d~ffer from these hell.scapcs. Like the qie of a raging storm, the Frou:n Hean sits apart from other Daemon \l/orlds as the Chaos Cods hold equal sY>'ay upon its surface. The planet exists as a microcosm of the entire Vortex, with \'ast regions that exist in an unending conflict for total Pomin:ttion and compkte damnation. lunatics dut clajm to hsvc glimpsed the Frozc:n HeaR in dtt:u~ ot prophecy say it exis:ts as four distinct domains, e:ich one in pelfcct bal:ancc yet e:ndkss battle with those lo either side. Some liken it to the four seasons of :a ~.ar, for as the planet spins on'tln errnticand cvcr--chnnging axi~ so do the four ttgjons shift •nd sv.'CIL Few beJicve those that speak of d)c.ir tilllC' on the
or
Mf1Kc, bur nmnhelc~ a'tn Idle wises' or the Yon:cx canno.t ignore the simihritics in the stories these m3Clmcn tdl. Sma.nger still, the Frozen He,;in's po!es exist as periloos ssnctu:iries from the rest o( the world. Infused by the raw powcc of the Vortex, thiese lands exist ap;in from the spctilic machinations of any one Chaos Cod. i\ien and muunts, gripped by their last-vestjgcs of hope or sani~ drag themselves to these areas in a dc_spe-mte fin3l attcmpt to CSC!lpC the Qac:mQn Vforld's endless C)'tJ~ However, the torments they lca\"t behind seem -:is lu:xuries compared to \\'har they "6nd in this. tttrible destination,
To most within the Vortex, the Frozen E-leart is a lurking terror, an undisCO\'Cfed je\\'t.I, ilnd the true axis of the \ Vsrp's f>O\\'C:r. Most know that reaching it alive is all but unadiic...-able, and that reaching it \\'ith any shred of S3nity is impossible. Yet many h:i\'C tried, uch Yt'Oold-be chan1pion fuelled by the talcs ofendless riches, unlimited po\"'«, and the promise of the great unknowable dynamo--
'I
.
•
•
., UNCONTROLLABLll CALM RtJmouts pcnoiSl that the dcc:pct one dclYCS into the V0ttcx. 1he n10
THE REALM OF CREATION As 1hC' Froun Hean Ctlms,. JO aoo 6ocs 1hc po¥t."tt o fTuanch ttach ouc to shape and c:kanx tlk pmrious day1s c:kstruction, debauchcqt and decay. \\rilhin thiJ g1!1tcring rtaJm of endless pouibilities and shifting architecture. the Ch.anger of Ways
wc2'/es new life into the world. l..Jort0rs C2V0 rt as the ground nt the it feet hea\U and splilll with TUtnrch's fleeti ng dcsir~
a.nd grc:at crystal pal:11ces1ise up (rom. the sludge kft in Nurglc's wake. lmpossibk D:icmon--pl;aniJ .t;prout beside Oo\\·ing l:i.kt:s of mulcicolotu~d wxcr as Sac:unrrs glide among the
a:ruptn.g bt:tncbcs. Mutmc.s o( all dcteripcions p.uadc xros.s WAtchrtcctofFatc·s dom;ain. thcir Coc:l'.sUwtiablc nttdfor
ctwng.: •-r:llC:kiag lhcir bod.its '*dh boYndlcu tn.nsfi:>nn.atiom._ O.atmanic sorctten and coac.ul FLuncn bunch mcams of t"W"t~shifting energy xrcm the b kidor.ropic skies. Oespitt' tht cekbntion o( Tucnrch"s power, the Realm of Creation tmtains lethal lO d'>OK oppos.cd to the Creal Compir1tor, -and his multiphuC'Cd iumic:s rush 10 c.as1 aside the forces ofNurglc and claim new
ag.a1n.u 1hc .appro:.ching forces of Khome. Al the- Mas1c-r of Fol't\lnc powe11 forward, 1hc- lands to ihc te.•t of hi.s lnRucncctwiJ.t into n deceptive nightm.att of traps and r.1lse s~fc·h2'1Cn.s. Herc the for«s o f Kboim struggle ag:iinsl the lt'.'tb of lies bcfott chem ~nd the octics ofTzcentch's mMUted tt:t~rd. The fMty o(Khorne's minions grows until they lash Dul, m:ldly dcstftl\'k>C <>
THI! Ri!ALM OF DESIRUCTIOS A land of war and total annihibtion, Khotnc: '1 domain st.ands a tC'~:unc: nt to his brut3lit)t Sh roudC'd in red mist, the Realm o f Dotruedon cho~s v•ith th< ashes of the dclKI As the d:iy puses upon che Frozen Hcan·ssurf:u:C!, Khotne's lcgiom nip JC Tzccntch's heels, tra.ring dowo his crystd 1owers to rcplxe the-in w1ih moonds of sblls a:nd crude stone icmpks soaked wrth the blood of the r~Ucn. BJooddtin&rn lad strikes uno th< coloured b ods ofTumtd>, da•ming ch< h
Khornc:'s rage knows no limit, yt:t -within his dom3jn, his ceaseless fury is a d ouble-edged sword. Whil~ his bloodspanc:ro:f kgions pour into the edges of Tzeentch's rc3lm, 1hosc still ln the cc:ntrc of his lands tum on one another in contests of b1111ality and murder. Champions rise and faU 3S the day p:wcs,. each one taking the skulls of the v.·arrior before him until the dead outnumber the living. As the influence of Slaan~h approac~ these lost souls fall to obsessive blood rituals and othc:r forms of devotion that take them funher from the slaughter, playing into the hands ofthe sweet encroaching darkness. like \Yith Tzccntch's trickel)'.. Khome's own destructive n:arurc stops him from claiming the Frozen HeJlrt for himself: and! his insatiable nee
T HE REA.il.1 OF OBSESSION \\'h ispc:ring seductively to the drcgs of Khome's anny, Sla:anesh offers J re-lease from the lCllment ofbatde 3nd a ncv.· life of everiasting pleasure. Sb3ncsh's domain is unusually dark, thjck clouds of pt"rfume and scn:ams,ofecstatic torture filling the air .:as the Frozen He.a« cums 10 ci-:dm the bl:!Stcd lands destro~'Cd by Khomc's fury. Reshaped lhroogh Slaanesh's will into a l2n.d of eX«ss, glistening me:Klows :ind cslm V.'3terfalls form from where ri\•ers of blood and fi elds of crushed skulls once J3y. Vast herds ofSlaaneshi Ste«ls run to and fro, seeking ne\\' experientt'Sto devour. Sl.aancsh's minions lovingly convert the ruins of Kbom.e's temples into luscious torture chambers :ind sickening pleasure dens.. Tended by Oaemonettes, the .shrines m hedonism consume the: population of insane mut3nts. leaving lhc:m unable to move from the cr:ishing waves of senution that fill eve.ry w:.king moment. In !I mie-1 tv.•ist of irony, the incessant need for greater and mort extreme secwtiom leads to the ...cry downfall of Slaancsh's minions. As the Frozen Heart's cycle mo\'CS into its finlll sugc, both moral and 03emon alike qui.ckly lose interest in thejr Cljrrcnt state of being and obsess o..,er the sc.-a.rch for new sensatioos, rather than the sensations thcm_-sc.lves. Monuments to the Prince of P·leasurc's glory rcm3in h2ltfinished, and those left mutilated and crippled from the pleasure pits wither and wail in agony 3$ their mas'tcr.s...,scck greater excesses of depn1vity. Lefr behin.d by the very god that -assured them eternal pfe:isurc. these pathetic wretd,(;S lack the pov.:,cr- to resist the promises of the god th:tt follows in Slaanc~·s \Wke--Nurgle.
THE REALM OF D ESICCATION like a hungry beast .scan.·cd of nourishmc:-npt, Nurgfe's pG"'ns f-all upon the bnd.s of Slaanesh with ra~nous desire. As the Frozen He3rt entc-rs its final stage, the qua ne,r of the world that once echoed \\'ilh the cries of excess fa11s bet-ore a foetid tide of disease 3nd decay. The pathetic creatures that remain from Slaanesh's wotst excesses f~ll qujckly while plagues of flies and noxious gasses sweep aside the Pleasure Prince's sickly sv.·cet perfumes. Wa\tes of Nurglings ovetv1hclm the
foolish few that seek to maintain Sla;incsh1,s hold on the land as S\\'ooping Pbgue Drones pick off stragglers and deposit them in enormous cauldrons of bubbling disease:. The meadows and ~ttrs that once enticed thousands rot and curdle, follTling S\\':tmps -and bogs. Tended with great C3re, Glt'at Unclean Ones watch O\"Cf their gJrden.s-as rotting motants sally forth to sprC3d NurgJe's gif1s. For the brief time that Nurgle holds S\\':1)1. the bnds under his control remain still Diseases brew and sprc:id as putref3Ction renders C\'t:rything cre:uro 3nd desttoycd d uring the prev'ioos cycles to sludge The jo~·ous laughter of Nttrgle's serv.mts aad the butt of billions offiies fi Uthe ajr. OnJy those.t:ru ly dedictted to Nutgle su.rviYC': in sudi 3 corrupted place, wilh Tzeen.tdi alo~ holding the power co create life from such ovc:rwbclming stagn:ttion 3rtd death as the cycle: begins anew.
Painleech (Slaanesh) Separated from the daily maelstrom of renC\\•al 3nd dc3tb, the northern pole's barren l-andsc3pc might -appear as rcfugcto those despc-1:tte to csc3pc, bot 3ny hope 1his f3lsc rcprievt' offers v.anishes -as me madness of the region takes hold. SurviVJJ in this bleak environment is next to impossible ns dry choking dUsl cl;1.ims any who stumble, :ind rotting. h.alf-buried corpses 1itter the (andsc:ipc. Howevt't, those thal somthow sur\'ivc face a fate worse than dc3th as their bodies --coil and morph, splitting apart :ind rcfonning into unn3rur.al shapes. Soon the \Vatp overwhelms these poor sou~ reducing them to the lowest of the \Varp's crations-Chaos Spawn.
A gift for foolish ch:Jmpioru. th'ilt experience too many .sensations at once, the P<1inl«ch pcr.:ei'W:s anything snd
C"Vt'rything 3roun
REALM OF THE WARPED !lttindlcss and in·sanc, Spawn g:dlo~ slide, burrow, 3nd glide at'.l'05S the pol~ de\'ouring one another not oot of hunger OOt simply the: unconscious need to .survive. ln most pl3CCS, Spawn exist for a brief moment, the eO(':rgies of their tr:i.nsformation quickly bu.ming ou l, bot upon the blasted pl3ne.s of the northern pole, these wretches thri\'C. Once se.Mntsc:iught in the incessant d:aily ruin of the Frozen Hean, these Spawn kno\\' nothing bul the torture of their eriste.nce 3nd the scorn of the: Ruinoos Ones._
Foulspawu (Nurgle) FolloYo-e-rs of Nurgle reduced to Spawndom see,m 'o survive far longer than other Spawn, almost :is if the Pl3gue F.ather takC'S some unnatural joy in their existence. Traits: Crawler. Rcgener.ition (2d5), Toxic (3), Unnatural
Toughness (8).
35 0 1
66 '63
22
0 3 16 25 01
Movement' 9/l8/27/ S4t Armour. None Skills: Athletics (S) +20, Awareness (Per).
Wounds: 35
Total TB, 12
Talents: Furioos Assauli, S\\•ift Attack, True CriL T t'3its: Dc.ldly N-ntural \VCJpons, Fear (2), From Beyond, Multiple Amls (ld!O), R.generation (ld5), Size (ld s+3), Stuff of Njghtm:t~ Unnatural Strength (6), Unnatut31 Toughness(6). Weapons: Claws, pincer"" beaks, vicious maws, etc. (Mclee; ld10+12 R; Pen O; Tearing). Touched by tht Cod£ The profile abo\tc represents a fairly typical UnaHgn«I Chaos Spawn. Hov•cVt"r some Spawn rctnin their- identity as .servants to a pa.rticul.u Chaos Cod, ensuring sctvirude even in their final momen~ The CM can modified the Sp.JWn to macch one of the following four types of Spawn. adding the rula listed below to the base profile. Jn any insr:ance where the S3mt: rule repeats, rake the higher valoc. A Sp~ A11.J'1.v:1»au ioa!UD cb:tngr dtpctdinJ on iu Sis, Agliiy Bonus, dnd otbrr rnodifim.
t
Bloodbeast ( Khorne) Enr.Jged crC3tl.lrcs of pure muscle and sinew, Blood beasts seek only de\•our and destroy; anything to please the god that abandortf'd them.
'o
T-alcnts: Resh Render, Frenzy, Lightning Att:ick. Traits: Brutal Ohargi: (6), Natural Annour (6).
E,n\•eloping Abominations: Most Fou-lspawn attempt_ to envelop those around them, dr.iwing unfortunate victims into thejr sticky disease-ridden m:lSS. Fouk~v.·n gain a +30
bonus to Tests: to Crnpple en.emjcs and inftict an additional 2d5 Damage v.+ien using the. Dam.1gt: Opponent option of the Grapple Action. A Foul!iplwn thnl kilJs 3n advtwry while Coppling it inc«:ascs its Rcgener:i.rion Tr.lit to Regeneration {2d I0) and remO\"CS all levels of Fatigue it is cunmtly suffering
Firewyrm (Tzeentch) The most pitj:ible of Spawn. F'irt\\')'rms seek- nothing but an end to their malformed existence. 1lie playthings of Thcentch, Fircwyrms mutate endlessly, taking on vohat<'Vl:'r aspe.cts the \Veavcr of Fates desires until the Spawn's hideous form explodes from the strain. Th.is ~r-shifiing torture makes Firtwyrms virtually impossible to dc-stroy, as injuries fade or morph in11 m.sttcr of moments. T rajts; Fear (3), HOYerer {9), Ph3se. Weapo as; Blaze6rc: {B<1sic: 30m; SI-I-; ldlo+9 E; Pen 6; Felling
14J, Flame, Melts).
\Yrithing Transformation-: Unlike 0th.er Spawn~ a Firewynn does not h.ivc the Regeneration Tr:i.il (rtlllO'W: tbi& Trait from the list o f its Trai1%S), and its Wounds is lov.ucd'" to £8. However, al the srart of C'3ch of its Tums. TCmO¥C ai Damage from the Firtwyrm. Fiery Demise: ld5 Rounds :i.fter -a Fittv.'Yrm dies, iG corpse. deton3tcs in a pillar of shimn:u:ring flame; ir inflicts a Unp hit for 6d tO D:imagc with a J>-cnecration of 24 and the
FRIGID DEPTHS The Frozen He:trt"'s southernmost ltlches look peaceful to tho~ cla:Y.ing Lhci1 Y+·ay out of the daily trials o f the Chrk Gods. b1.H this could not be fttrthcr from the truth. A frozen landSo::tpc ofj;agged irregul:u hills and shilrpobsidian crevices,
ihc 50uthcm pole hid.cs some of tbe D:icmon World's most troifying secrets. f\.'loruls that drag d~mselvcs to the southern tcgion usually perish within hourSi but not from the flocks of Fo.rics dut v.:hirl through the :..sben skies or to the writhing
uwsg of half-formed 'Varp
m~,
slither and scutdc
SOO\\'; I nstead~
mmt fall prey to
the mortaJs that came bcfon-,. a host of dim sh:adcs £h3l d rift siJcndy tow.lrds their victim.fi, their hollow eyes filled with
fury a:nd bloodlust.
L OWEST OF THE Low 1he Froun Hem plays hem to the basest Chemonic-endries of the: entire \Wtc:t. Despicable knots of £ccth. claws, and malformed bod')es. these crcarures exist
:is
madness incam:ue;
the W.irp at Us most raw. like a living tide, these Gibbering Masses bclbblc up from the southern pole's deepest regions to lfBDlh~ mythjng that lingers in one pla.:e for too long. They ~ and multiply lik:r Jjving cc-lls before reaching 3 8'llli; and diuoMng in.to the frozen <¥.ti.ls, rendering
cx>bar of ancic"t ash u.nd incredibly de3diy to the qihddy ca111bmugh anything it touches.
25
01
20
25
40
05
25
25 01
Movement: 2/4/5/[2 Wounds; J Total TB,; Annour: None Skills: Awareness (Per) +20. Talents; l=c3rlcss, 'Takedown. Traits: Burrowcr(4), Critical f\.1ass (Horde Onfy)t, 03emonic {l), Deadly Noturol W
Records scaucttd across the Vortex claim rhat deep within the Frozen Hean lays ::a dMce of immctlS(': j>O\Vtt. Spoken of as ..some unknowable dyn3mo, many belie".'C it keeps the Vonex mO\!ing .ind thac without it the Vortex would burn itseJf out in moments. l ike- the Frcri:en Heart itsc:U: C'\o'Cn the most ofrrepeated 1.ales contradict one another with some cJaiming the dyn::amo is an ancient tl13chine of 3licn construction. while others d.c:scribc it as th< first O::acmon E:.nginc, infUSC"d with the. power of four warring Cttater Daemons. Otht~ insist the \V:up itself aC'.ltod the device. :and that it is a mighty Choos jey,'<'f unattiinabl< by morul hands-a glittering ren:ijnder that the true extent of divine pov.-er t"\'t"r h3ngs jllSI out of reach of all mon:ils \\>ho .seek to claim it. Still mote wicked whisperers postulatt that it is a test, a diallengc put forth by the Chaos Cods to their folki\~·ers, \vith one simple goal: to winnow the weak from the scrong, and give aspiring champions a rock upon which chtit Limit~css desires can crash, an unforgiving cliff th3t siiatters their bodies and souls. \\'hatc:o.>ct this unhallowed relic truly is, tens of tho~an\k ha~ died in its pursuit, and none can d::tim to have C\'C!I' laid eyes upon it and li~ to l'C'VCal its natu.re-. Oespitt" the contradictory tiles.. one common thread runs among them. 1\<1.3n~· t:lles of glory and doom point towards the Frozen Heart's southern pole as the entrance to wherever the dyn:;1mo exists, and 3Jmost every tale rceo
Movement: 6/12/18/36 Wounds: 46 Armour. None Total TB.: 6 Sk;Jls; Awareness (Per), Dodg-e (Ag) +10, Stealth (Ag) +20. Talents: Fcarl~ Pn::rc-1natural Speed, Swift Attack. Trajts: Dark·Sight, Feat (3}, From Beyond, Hovcrct (6), Ph:uc, Size (5), The Stuff of Nightm11rcs,. \V3rp l nsrnbil it)~ Weapons: A:theric Blade (l\1elec; Id t 0+6 £; Pen jl:; Crippling 1 3~ \Varp Weapon), Coldfirc Blast (Basic; 15m; -Il l--, Id I0+4 E; Pen 0; Felling 121. w.,p Weopon). Consuming Dread: Shado\\' Hosts loom over their la:~ S3pping their victim's ¥dll to sor"i~ before moving in for the: kilL Any chamcter :igainst v.•hich a Shadow Host nt.3kcs a Charge Action mo.st make a Challeng ing (+-0) Willpower Te.st. If it fu ils, the ta/gt'f surfers ld lO \\''illpower Damage, plus 1 :idditional \Villpowcr Damage for t:VCry Degree of F:ailun: by which he- fuiled the Tc-sL Spectral Night:ntatt; Shado.,;o,· Hosts defy most attempts 3t .explanation :ind destruction alike. Even if vanqut'11e:d, they h3VC: l tendency to return. slipping out from the: coiners of one's C')'C :u1d back into reality to menace their prey once ag;iin. 1d 5 Rounds after a Shado\v Host is v:inquished, roll ld (0;- on a resuhof9or10, ihe ShadQ~· Host rerumstocxistencc ldJO metres behind the charactet wbo las1dispersed iL On any ether result, the Shadow Host does oot rcfonn-yet
THE ASCENDANT SPIRAL "71:9 art all d(ad. y
rnpirodeyo11 loolcjioJR mt!~
lmptri«I tPO¥/d ro tht f(lrcbfor ~
-Un\;.now.n survivor found within the Oon3rium (current whcre:ibouts unknown) The Screaming Vortex is a -.,.crdant hive of legends :and tnysteri.cs. From Guelph lo Aphcxis there a_rc more stories of treasure 2nd horror th:an thcte arc stars in the galaxy. The Ascendant Spira~ the only kno\\'n way out from the Lower Vortex, holds many mystcric.~ yet its real .secrets remain o~red. The Spiral appc3rs to tcnninatc inside 3 space stntion known as-the C>onarinm. This ancient place of unknown construction is chc source of many Vortex legends
J:nd 3lso wh.cre gangs of slavc-tr.iding lnfQrm2tion brokers strive endlessly to c.:iprure those diat tra\'CI through the Spiral so th3t they might unlock its tru.c purpose.
interrogation. M:any have t.ricd -to explain the Emc1gence :md why the Donarium seems to gro\\' a little with each arrival Sadly. the suivivors offer no 3!1S\\'ers1 and most end up as slaves sold to the_ ships th:u p:!M the Donarium daily.
SKIN TRADERS AND RUMOUR MONGERS Responsible for most of the Don3rium's culture:, the Flesh Brokcts seek only two things: souls to s.,.ln :i.nd infomlation on the lower Vortex. loose collcct:ivcs of brokers g:ather to ensure dominance ever l:itge territories in the -hope th:it they might claim us m-any new arrivals as possible during· the oext Emergence. Fights arc common_, \vith the witless sur\'ivors usually caught jn the middle. Pulled into the twisted network of the Oonarium's maddening l.ayout, survi\fors arc pressed for days or weeks for \\•hat little knowledge they retain from their time among the Daemon \Vorlds cf the [o•.1:c-r Vortex, and with their secrets lnre the brokers S
THE END JS THE BEGINNING Nestled somewhere between Contrition, Crucibk, and the dtt:aded Frozen Hott, the: Ascend:tnt SpimJ is neithe1 planet n0< 03emon \VoHO. The few dt:at talk !!boot their exper~ att oficn unable to recount how they arrivt'd thert", or much of whnt tr:lnspired, but they speak of quCS(ioos, answers. and .a test; details itlJ too v:sgue to gd a true sense of what really happened. ~t11.ny think_of the Ascenda.nt Spiral as some sort of escape vah~ or a release from the terrors of the Lo\\'Cr Vonex. Jn reality., chr: Spir:d tak<:s UL least 3S many lives as it S."!1\'~ and C\'en those who live to see the: cold decks of the distant D..onariu.m .:arri\•e S:tripped of anything lhty possessed. The onJy common 1hread among s1.1rvivors is a renewed hatred for the Jmpcrium of i\1an, almost as if the Spir:tl :acts ro rcpurposc any "'·ho mapage to survive 11.he Lower Voncx by focusing tht'.ir aucnrion ou.tward. \Vhecher this is the Dark Cods protecting the Vortex from any who might claim it as their own, or simply the -results of br.iinwashing or something darker, none truf)• know. \Vhatever the case, those dut travel thc-Spir.d find a new beginning ~s they dc(Hcate theircntirr b~ing to the destruction of the Fals.c Emperor's realm.
ALTAR OF THE DAMNED As old ~ the Voncx itself. the Donarium sits not far from Qjial in a region of sp:acc ""'here the \Varp is at its weakest. To approndiing vessels, itappnrs ab:indoned and misshapen, ht the Donarium houses thous:ands of souls, many seeking amwcrs tc why the. space station exists.. .:ind why it acts 3S the tam.inus point for the Ascendant Spiral. Evrry few d:ays the Donar~um shuddcts as another batch ef survivors appear o n the st.'ltion in an C".V-c:nt known :u the ~No pattern go...•er.ns their arrival and these lost SOlds- appu{ almosr -ar nndom across dte entire brc.adth of the ·oa. oftm bcrdi of anything but-the clothes-on their back. ~ -'aous,.ganp of11csb brokers swoop in tQ cl11im the ~ SorQC ga4hcr their wits :ind repel the vultures_, ~d thcir new surroundings and the rdb and carry them into the tunnels for
35 26 40 '33 42 48 32 38 56 2 5
'
Moven1enc 4/8/ 12124 Annour: Crisly Hides (All 2)
Wounds: l2 Total TB: 3
Sk;ll" Athletks (S), Aw.>rcncss (P
,~J
• DECAY • DEATH
• •
RB.BIRTH T HE WAGES OF SIN
CHA IPTER IV: THE HEART OF THE VORTEX "AUJl-1 i.tbis poiM. ~S doow iN Ilda ti{dJu """'1Jai""'1rl. 1>:n.. «k. sa11-""' "'"'......,"""'....,... u,, - i . .a thdo=J,pt. BM ~-fl- fb,je:n. '"'°'fr- fb, ""l"'r/JcJlr t{""""""' Is . i-.il>Jdrlromul ? ()" ... .
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hc- Heart of thC' Vortc.: is 1 Bt.ACit CRUSADE adventure in which lht' Heretics trlrl(I co chc pl3nct of f!tiire and fKe the judgement of the Pl:aguc Cod Nurgk. The advc:nrun: cx-p&orcs dte themes of decay, death, and ttbitt~che csscnti~I csscra of this paniru.lar RWno1,11 Power. In «der ro cam the Pbguc Famct's blcssUig> and progrcu on !he l>.ith "' Glcxy "' 1h< very h
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- Hovi<, Lo
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THE STORYTHUS FAR
ADVENTURE PLOT
The Priomites of Mire an: 3 aste of sorcerer-kings th.it feed upon rhe cerebral matter of their subjects and, in so doing, make themselves hosts for the most virulent and delightful of Nurgle's blessings. Only die strongest Priornitcs s~rvhic for Jong, for their rivals arc ever seeking new means of casting down their peers in-ani ctem'l.I cyde ofgro\\1-h, decay, death, and re-birth. For the Mire~ this ceascle.ss struggle: ls rhe supreme act of de\'otion to the Plague: God Nurgk an-cl rhey h3Ve little or no desire to u.tnscend it. or (O seek
The Hean of the Vort ex is an adventure in tvt0 p31tS. The first p;itt secs the Heretics· o.lli\'C on the worfd of Min: in search of the blessings of the Plagu.e God, n boon they must cam if they arc to complete their ~cs' for p
power elsc:\\-herc v.•ithin the Sc.reaming Vortex. The Hctetics, hov.·cvt:r, each of them v.·ell travelled 'along thi: Path to Clory, seek to harness the staggering reservoir of po\\•er OOilt up on Mire ewer countless gcner.itions, co use the Prio
challenge and so the Heretics will li~ly fight for all they arc to avoid death. But this is cntirt"Jy the point-only by tmnscending death and proving themselves ·v.-orthy of rtbinh c.an the Heretics cruly ascend to the next Utt of p<)\\'t'r. In shon, the Heretics must die in order to be reborn, at Y.·hich point the G:ime: 1\1-aster can conclude matters oc, sboold he wish,. Rl.3kc use of the rules for Apochcosis (see pages 6373) or Spawndom (sec pages 120-1 21) found elsewhere in this volume. The Heretics' ultimate fate depends on their actions, and the S[Of)' th3t the CM and pl:i}'t'f'S dttide to 'ell togethct.
\\'Otth
TH E QU EST ION OF CH AO S
BE GIN NIN G TH E ADVENTIJRE ous As "''ith any Bui.o1t C.uu oe advaiw rc, that' arc numct vc namlli ~ ways a band of Htftti a. an be introduca;f to and p.1ign ngclm U.swJfy, rhc adve-nnu't fonns ~rt ofan onao1 ('ncountcrs_. io the Cia1ne 1\1.aster m11St integn tc it with other possibly canying o~ some o( the nsmlf \-c themes 1Jl'C3dy Noc aublis hcd wilh 1he pbn ro dcvt:lop rhcm fonhu Jbll ~ry :adventure h.as to be JciimlC'SS.ly incerwo.,'Cn into lhe OVNarching o.arntivc, ho\lo'evtt, and it is pc:rfcctfy •C«pt abk csublGht:d Row of C\'etlts to g.:1 co ~ ,. break from acfvc-nnu·~ that might at first an in «I the Heret ia involY on. Jn time, the c\lents of diversi a •hon appear Ihde m0trr cJm .achtnNl'C' c:a.a be threaded back in10 &he ongoing story. pkk C:rt:;tting a whole n('W w:and that the- C:une Master can c. ti11 :ipprop up as he iand the-players feel is The acNcnn.ctt opens with the Heretics: arrh·ing at Mire as • group, but
me
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b. ployed at Ckwy. ldeoll~ Th< Hurt of rh< VO
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introdoccdin1oanon:o1ngcampaign.pcth2paa
ror Hettt ia th:ac- Slumblcd along 1he Path to Glory :and lost lht"ir liv~ (or Lhcir uniry) in a previous ~owtt. In this ca. with the- camp sip rcachine a11 crilic:ll point cht Came ~1:utcr mi&ht like 10 consider aUowing: or encouraging pla)'t'rs to sekct the Mircn Dealh l>ricst Archetype (s.cc page ui and .-.bl y .no...,g them .. stan . . . hlgh
The Hea..rt of th.c Vorta ts let on cN: pb:nec cfMin. a 'NOtld rntittly in the sw~y of the Ruinous Power Nurgfc:, the Flthet of Plagues. Evc.y l5p«t of th< wotid ls m·tp
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cam p:t.ign ftim.ti "\t.
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LastJy, the C:lmc Master mlghL Ii~ to consider whether ic is appropriate ., discuss ac:h of lhc-11: goals ,. dl ibe individu•I pl•y« 1>
ro SLAANESH
CHARACTERS DEDICATED TO TZEENTCH
CHARACTERS DEDICATED
Tho.sc that follow the winding p;ith of the Cod T-zccntch often find themselves at odds with the servants of the Plague
As seekers after the most n rc-fied hc:ights of exp«icnce :and pcifcction, those dcdjcuted to Slaancsh Sook L1pon lhe r:ampant dec:ay of the realm of Nurgle and sec unfo rmed degeneration, the opposite of aJI they seek. The' foUowers. of 513.llncsh find the unbounded growth in which those of Nurgle suNOund themselves :as disorder for U1C' sake of it, as w~cd opportunity. \Vhrrc they seek perfection they sec. in the works of Nurglc r.IY.' Cha~ the b3se matter of the \Varp ever shifting :and refonning but nevtr attaining the ultim::ate nttemes·to which the servants of Slaanesh are dt'dicatcd. As ruch, they find the 1talms o f Nurgk co ld and clammy, crude', baiSe nnd unformed. Personal GoaJ: The judgcmmt at chc end of The Hean of the Vortex prcsients those' ckdic:tk'd to lhe Prince_ of Chaos, Sb.mesh, with a un.iqUC' opportunity lhc:y cannot miss. As che'y suffer and die', exquisitt: new seru::.nions lash across lheit fltst.-chc feel of theit viscer:a spilling out, the scent of thC'ir blood drippin,g down their skin, :and other sudi horrific indulgm-cts ch:it only grievous injury c:tn grnnt them. Additional Rt-wards: For each CriticaJ Eff«t that a HCJC'tic dedic:ated to Sla3nesh sliffers during the fi n•I judgement, he l a.dditional Infamy at the end of the encounter (to a maKimum of 6) for the elev:iting p:ains he suffaed io che n:amc of his dark mascer.
God. \Vhere Tzttntch seeks to buikl impossibly intriatc webs of power, Nurglc delights in bringing these crashing down, sio that new growth can spring up in their w.ake. This eternal struggle bet\.\.·CC'n evolution and decay makes Tzcentch and Nurglc ancient rivals, and their followers arc ofitn at odds \~rith one another. A servant of Tuentch v.:ho
finds him$C'lf forced to tread the stinking ground of Mire will fee] his po\\'Ct and ::ambition smothert"d by 1he cloying -stink of the gnvc, his schemes ('Vl!'t on the brink of being dragged doYo'O\\'ard into the :di-consuming muck. Pets0nal Goal! The 6nal judgement dut takes place at the climax of The Hean of the Vortex presents diameters dedicated to Tzecntch, the Changer of the Vi'ays, with a chanccto provt: the -ultimate knowledge. power, and tc:1ch of their cvcr·scheming m:ister. Additional R.cwatds:: Jf :a Hentic dedicated to Tzcc.-itdi manages to use h.is cunning to outdo :at least one 01her Heretic during the fin:al judgcment(such as by kill'ing more enemies th.:in a fo llo\\•er of Khome by osing his PS)>·chic Powe~ pte..,.enting a fofloy,•er of S!l:lne-sh from sutTering a Critial Effect, or sur.•iving longer than one of Nur_glc's blessed thanks to illusory tricks), he g:ains Id I 0-l additional Infamy at the end of thccncoonter :as a reward for havi;ng his schemes come to fruition.
CHARACTERS
CHARACTERS DEDICATED
roKHoRNE Those \\•ho dedicate themselves to the Blood Cod value tht mom.cnt of the kill above all eke, the dttd of strlking the opponent d-o\\'n and casting his steaming viscera upon the thirsty battleground the ultimate' aa of devotion. The follo...crs of 1hc: Pl•gu< God kill in myri•d w:iy>; many of y,fiich tbc: foUowtrs of Khorne find frustratingly and unncce~arify indirect. One dC'diC31ed to the Blood Cod might find himself consumed by anger if he is un3ble to confront his foe: direct.I)~ and supremely disd:ainful towan:ls any alflp fQl&o....-cr, or foe who attempts to poisoa and infC'ct l'3thc1 chan striking the enc-my down with brute' strength. as lhe lord of Slaughter intended. PttsonaJ Goal: The fin-al judgemenr at the culmination of The Hean of the Vortex represents :i perfect op.portunity for Heretics dctlic:ucd to Khofine to pro"'c themselves masters of war 'ilnd bloodshed- in all its forms-. Additional Rewards: If a Heretic dedicated 'o Khomc-kills the mQISt foes of all of the Heretics during the.final judgement (as cklC.'rmincd by the' Game 1\.1aster, ns not all foes arc cquaJ) he gains tds+3 addicion:iJ Jnfumya1 the end of the encounter ~ a reward for his service 'o the lord of Battles.
DEDICATED TO NURGLE \VhiJe Nurgle'.sblCSS('d riced no additionaJ reasons to undergo the trials beyond those prc:SC'nted in the ndvt•nture, h.is adherents still h:n'C the opportunity to prove theit dedication tct the' Pl:agud'ather by persisting longer than any of their alDes. By enduring ili< long
'Ifosr"" d4nga;for ,.;., 01'1< ,,.,.J of"""th! Sri/( I ,,,.11 h
W
the fist of Rage:
~ cht cx.xt ciraunstmtt:S of the Herctia' arriv.ll .. M.., d>
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Mott nanning thlspanof theach'C'llturc, ii• ~dtd 1tu1 the C1mt Mastef reacquaint hinutlf with the: .set:ting information for the \\'Orkl of ~iirc- g;ven c.irliet in the book, wilh partlcul!u reference to c:hc nothl.rc- of 1he environment a.nd chc ntuivcs gMn there. To help stt the tone, c:leh of the ~nu is dcsctibcd by a rC3d alcxi.d SC'(Cion1 whld1 1he Came ~1as1c:r c;1.n uSt to :issist the pL:iyen: in visuJlis1ng the SL'C'ne. Ac JOmC: point soon :iftcr the Heretics' 111ttMI on ~1Jre, and bcfott chcy ~off to explore their .surroundanis. the: C~t should cake thic time to conunuoicatc the ttpupnt. dicc.a)"td natun:ollht wottd. udcscribcd in dicta.ii on~ 111- 116.
INTO THE MIRE What folSows att a oomber of encounccn 1ha1 bt-rwccn them con'-q' the main themes o f the planet of i\iin: t nd offer the Heretics with a number of diaUcnges. Aside from nfl"otding the playt:n wilh nn enk'ruining ~nd ch;illcnging expc:ricncc: on 1\1.1~ chac ~nu serve anothct, as yet h iddcn putposc. As the Htrctia procttn they come- ID the attention o( the Priomire nwu.,,, ..i depending how lhcy ;...,..., ..;.i. the world's ;m.b;ana Md rapood ID ilS hzurds. lhcy olTca, for b
lhcm f~ dcpcnding oo the pmccdmg d>UI of<"""' Shou'4:1 the Came M2stcr wish,. he migtn lilio.c: IO pto\rtdt che Heretics wi1h some form of hini or due lhJC 1hc:y trt
bein&
watched and 1heir :tctions itidgcd llus could hl~O 1ht fcna fl n Hard ( 20) Psyniscicnce T-est in the t2K of 1 Hctetk-* lhc •ullnblt $kill, or perh3~ an Arduout ( -40)
TABLE 4- 1, UNNA I UR.AL HAZAR.OS ld l O Roll Hazard Gravity Anoma!y: The local gravity ficid fh1ctu.ttcs as the \V~rp tMcods through the :1.lrc3dy suerched skin sepa:r.uing reati:r~· from the beyond. The Game Master should decide "'"hether the result js· abnormally high or Jow gntvity, and apply the'appropri:ne etTecu dC$Cribcd on p.lgt 43 of the Bua. 'CIWSADE Core Rukbook for the next ldlO hours. Th is elTeo is cumulative wfth ""anyother encounters rolled during this period. Putrid Gtt A pockec
Test if nt1nc of the Heretics has a beuer Skill E\'c.n if the Hcrctits f:iil, it is likely th:n the players \\ill come to susp«t 1hey arc being watched or th:ili something is up; in \\•hich case they arc likeJy to be put e\.'Cr more on the.it guard, and :is such the Game Master- might like to adjust these Tests accordingly. Should the He.reties le3rn that they arc indeed being watched, the Game (o.ias.ter should nt1t communiote any .specific dec:ails just )'Ct. lnste:td, he sllould communic3te the f'3ct :u a fccBng of distrust, 1the fit'C'ting feeling of passing through a gunrruin's crossh-airs or of movement barely registered in the corner of the e)'C. On a world such as Mire, phenomena s.udi as these- atc far from unusu3L of course, but shoo Id sCrve to build the tensjon as the encounters progrns..
In order to ll\'oid 3 ski\\· and ininful death :imidsr the stinking sv.·amps., the Heretics most find their W3Y out of the fmmedi:itc 3rca, a\•oiding h:izards :is. they go. To do so, the Came M'!lste-r sbou\d instigate an Extended Test {sec page 37 of the: Bu.at CausAoE Core Rulebook). The !hazardous terrain exte.nds for approximately 30 kilometres in all directions and the condjtions arc soch that Table 1- 6: Treacherous Environment Agility Modifiers on page 40 of the Bu a. C IWSAOE Core Rulebook is used to modify any rcle\•ant Skill Tests mnde. Each of the Hen-tics should makt a Hacd (- 20) Survival Tc.st for e\-cry hoer of travel. Fail1J1rc results in a roU on Table 4-1: Unnawral Hazards. with +J to the result for evety Degree ofF2ilurc by which the H<:retic failed.
E N.coUNrER i: UNNAIURALHAZARDs
ENcOUNIER 2: MIR.EN SwAR!>r
As they press through the w~ldemcss of Mire, the stinking mlstscSosjng in around them and the foetid ground determined to ,SUdt them do\\'n into the Warp-tainted subsorfUiee1 the He-reties arc confronted vo:ith lhe first of m30)' hazards- co be found on chis Cllrstd world. As deadly 3S any dtath world, the environmcot itself attcmpt'SC to test the intruders' mc-tdc. Befotc thisaicounter;. read o r p:irnphrasc the following :ilood:
This encounter can be pbyed at any point in this st~ of the adventure, and it is perfectly 3ppropriate for it to bcuscd multiple clmcs. As they pte!S cvcr onwards through the gurglingSW2mps. their nostrils assaulted by :i million different and equally offensive stenches, 3 SW'!l.nn of beasts begins to ua-c-k chem, for they haVI! stumbled inco its llunting grounds.. The exact fonn of the creatures closing in upon the Heretics is left up to the Came ri.iaste11 for che foc:rid, \Varp-infls:SCd mud that constitutes most of the surface of l'•oiire is host to all manner of inronceJvablc cre;11:ures, from hellish maggot things Wich tooth...-immed. lamprey mouths to tides of tangled v.·orm-things that erupt a:s one from their subterranean nests to ccnsumc any being caught in the open above. As a general rule, the_sw.arm consists of scvernl dozen crcatu~ each ctc:uure being 3n unn11turaJ hybrid wi1h more than 3 li:ttle of the horrific to its n:iture. To reptescnl this nl'il~ of l\1ircn crcatu~ use the profil e for the Nether Sv.•arm on p:agc 15 J of the BLACK CRUSADE Core Rulebook. replacing the Flyer Tmrt '-"'ilh the B11rro\\·er Trnit The swarm begins closing in opon the Hcrttics a:s they pass through its territory; an area lhat extends for roughly l kilometre in all directions.. E\•ery CO minutc.s;
T}J< air on Mirr is tbkk. a/most tJunnous 11Jt1b th< 11rJria.d rontagfom of th< J>J4gur Cod ar.d t.•Uibiliry iJ lillfftrd to just a few dozci mrrrer. AII about'JOU is a hmbrnt, acid gr«n bttu. rrndril1 cf mist occasioMlly crrtping itrwatds to i;.'fdp dmta your ~nicks 1Pirh r.igh·srotiatt i'iltr.L Tb
il:sults in them being caught umwuc if and when che sv.-arm ....& wi.....,., ooc: of Iha< Tcsu is pw
·11Jt rw.mps l/Jrough ul)irb )flll IJJ•'< bmt mtdging for Sflmt ttmt notP gnnit dO'Wly nwrr 'f'D"• 1hr Mtunds of il'l~
_..,..,/ls,
.dJiT""'.f,"''"~~1-·· ~ Oner the Herrtics have pmcdout o(1he swarm•s tcrri~ 1hc immcd.ia[e danger is ~ and the Came ~i.astcr can pro
ENCO\R.'TER 3: TW!TALLYMAN Whilr the Miten swmns bubbling up from the surf.3cc mtght be uU>t
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ro diJrms rirdn."""'41 tJri. rim, is Mllr(. d 'IP01d of powtr spolm fn one of tbt "'411} 1on,pa of the ciwtlfm in the Jfl11.rp. You m~ or .Ill"!)' nat klfw tbt aarr niruning of mcfJ n.1mt;. b111 tlx inrau u cftar, for at tht so11.nd of rad}, a 1l\1l.'t of slrk1tm passes tbroogh yu11. tJfl/ subtly diffmnt from the /u. ft roon htroma dw that tbt NJOfds lfrt thr nMrts of the nryriad l>imi•g> eftlJc Plague God. .,.f thty ""'Mfl! ~ b:J OM of bu"""""' di< ,..,..ua1 ·wl)'"a< •• Pl•ptbo:= As J"'I "f'P'O'dJ m11 fanlP. J"'I . - th 0...... It •• - i .-dt«!J llSfar- " ' " -,_,... itsll""' ftcsb ~ i. Jai,..J ' - ' • ad
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Euccly how rhc Heretics rr:act to the- omll'IOUS tppt¥211CE lhc Pbp:be>rn is up "' lhc pby
n-
E NCOUNTER 4: KINc OF THE HLLL 1 \ \ .ding throui:h ~ mists and mu.di.. the ~lecct:.CS comcupon 1 lofte native of Mire. squ.atting upon • nrc res.c that afford• him• view of the surrounding wascca. At the 1-lel'dics' apprwch, the wretch bristles, but unlas they m:ike an ovenly :1ggrcs1ive mOYC. he docs not flee nor 1&bandon hi~ hillock. Should 1he Hctctics attack or s how any 1lgn of intending 10 do so, I.he wretch flees u fut as he ca.n, ind is IQOn lost in the murk :ind misL ~:1d or pataphrasc the followin& .11ood:
•d0-d•
A W. Jr,dJ rem_. -f~ na-pmat. cwi~ 11DS&tl Rr/< /odtn/ ta l/Jisfaz_fad-tad/"'f,,.., ,,., AsJ'* "Pf'-n
"«,,,""
"",,,, ,...,,,,,..."""fora_,,,"!........ )Id • den .,. • .ma¥ Atop l1 u • dfflG'l'S "'fa- ~l.r 10
be• -11 wttnp of""*. bfd vlJidJ u,... mo/Md hn • ...._ hatltC'htd om' 121 be wirlltt your appro.x#J M·nb ttW.• 1ntmstty glowvn.cfrom is~
Ir 1hey approach him, 1be Came M:i.~ter mlly use.: 1hc (nteraction rules (sec p:tgc 27'6 of the BLACK C1,usAc>1: Cote Ruleboolc.). The n:ttivc begins the: c-ncountet Jt the Otsgusted/ ~tutinouJIOisbelicving/Foolbardy kvc~ and the Heretics must WC 0t:atm,. C~ O«cpuon. ot lntimKl.Jrc-- CO '°"''C't this t0 ar &e.n the Indifferent &noel in ocdct IO qucsrion him. should thry wish 10 do so. Oq>cndini on 111o-tw infomutioo the Mcmia ~ &om the nJli>t. !he Game M:nirr Olli usc hun 10 <0<1fcr any deuih clues he Stems n«OS3f¥ fn paniC\ll:ar, die n11M is weD aw11'C' o( 1hc Tharuuor. and can poinl Of lead them to the. Priomite's dwellings. He coul.d also help the l~crc 1ics :1void runhcr h:t:t.:llrdS Ot answtt other qucsbOnJ they might h:i\'C about Mire, kcr-ping in mind what a lowly individual likt this would know of the bigger piClture. Lastly, should the native's DispositH>n be- impnwcd all lhc ~y to 1hc ln(J1uattd/F.m.ttical/G.&Hibk/TC11'if'C'd Lto.-r-l he willingly eomtt down from his hiUock and pro1trJ1is h.i.m.serr bcfotc 1he: Hc1te.ia,. .uying be is now chew 61ch.f~ inv.ant. Should they wish to. the Hctetics CllO t.W me NtiYC on as a A1lnJon (cw perhaps a '#i 1ecdxd m3SCOl of aome land) CK
ENcoU NrER 5 : WAVES OF FuTH
The pcnultim:11c: encoontc:r need not be played straight after Encouat rr 4, but it ccruinly~r~ best if it ocoirs later on 21 some poinL Tni\!Clling~rds lhrough a parua,bd y ooisomt ...ca of swamp. tht Hattia a~ .1tUdr.cd by a brgc number of Mi:l't"n rutrvcs. If the wrecch described in Encountc:r 4 is with thc1n, much of the mob•1 itc: isajm«J 1owards him. lftht v.·retch ls not with the Heretics,. the: mob •IC!ai(kJ regardless, fired to ht-icftts of rage 31 me: lnll\lsion by the outJiidcrs ~ j( .ws.gufting chc-m MnOUnG ro Lrdc men dun suicide.. If :and wt.en the G:i.JM i\1 .ca dccido: t0 h;ivc- t~ me>b attJc~ r~d aloud or plrnphr11~c the following:
11J< ""1'-p=o t ,.,,,.;,
41' a wt.t"
""""""pm
ofsi.lhotitrta closo /1t, COC1ndas moni:l "'1tncr ofMtrr
ronuilg atyor11R d J«mingly mJ/m mtJt" offihh tl.!td ntgc.
The Mitt'f'IJ attack in a grcac. maddened ~ yn the qtd of each nab~ aft' somorhow empty and dn"Ot(f of passion. In truth, the 1\1irc:ns arc being controlled by the Priomitc
Thanator. who is ccsting the: l lcrc:tics' mctdc fro m afar. To run this combat, simply use 1 I.Corde based around the i\1j1cn W"'tm profil< (1<< page 11 l) wotb a Magni1udc ofbc
th"'"
E NcOUNTl!R 6: C oMSTH THE PiuoRNJTI! RcgaitdJess of how many encounters the Herrtio h~ bttn exposed co UkC arriving upon chc- sorfaa o( Mitt. sooocr ot 1.-t they n'l«I the Tha n;noc. F.ar from being :1: ch.an« mttting. the Th:a.n;1tor has bttn fated rh&s moment not ju't for hi.sc:ntitt life. but 1hroughout coontlcu gcn«ations before him. 'The Thanator sll$ •t the \'et)' apex of a pyramid of gcnc~tional pow.a th:. has its fouodai1ions m the: vr:ry crntioo of lht wodd_ of l,fJtt'. With the birth ofeach SUCCdl.ivc Pnomitc and his imbibing of the cerebral m:ntcr of the fonntt. the: will and power of Nurafe has been fihc:rc:d, reborn, and propagated, 1UCb tha1 the Thanator represents the distiUcd essence of dut will In short. she lluin•cw ·, \'Cl}' aisu-ntt .smcs to pcrfonn the n
or
'1t
rhc di~ moment :ind w11h a singk gat1.1re send tM
/vlirens fitting into the mi:iiu, leaving COtpJCS and silence behind. Pcthaps Encounte r 4 could lead the cha!"lcters 10
chc Priom.ltc. where be 'W'atU: Mlcotfy and pat1mdy for the momient he- hu bttn pttpwin1 for his tttft hfc. Rcgardk:u o( t:.h< cxxt Om.nuan ces of the mttting. tfk Game ~1asttr can set the scene by 1c,ading or par;iphras ina the following description 11lo1.1d: .l
""""'"'- '"' o1.va...slJn,1"!.fwdJft- ,,,.,,.,.,"""" -
JOO morr bliirdmJ tbalr ~ bri.V-at af~"J rl1C kJmJ. Tbt
s/Jrh'Cllrd lrp1 part ar:d a '.litl'llt offJVl.-Y~ir jlrN' fartJ,. ·1 am th< 1~Mdtor," 1br figurr 41nnounca In a 1'1)ict dS of a Rf.Wit tollfh#Wt.J opOIfar dJ
•.J,..,.., "-
Exactly how the Hercrio: 1c11cc is (Ip to 1he:m. but de,atfy they 'NOuld be (oolish 001 to follow this crcaiurc. Should the pbycrs cilhn' fad 10 ~le the- scopt: of this momccu. "'(pcrfup s commcod.lbly) dcadc llut thdr diotac1crs "°"Id ~act by :in:icking tht Th:ina1ot (1« ~ IC 6 for his profile), the G:ime Mn..ucr might have 10 think on his rcct. Depending on che nature of the Herct ~ he might offer chem a clu~ IO m:omider, or respond "'in pmc• by requiring a SkiO Tcsc Do h21o"'C thr charxttt aperiena : a moment of it"'ghl or cwn aome fottbodlng vision. Uhim:mtef): h°"'"CVtt, the pl.ayers should remain the m:istcrs of their Herctics' rate, and SQ if chey insjs1 on :itt:ackjng the Th:inator the Came Ml&$ttr should aUow them 10 do so and 10 rap the consequ.: nca. Doing 110 talcs the advmcun-., :md indC'C'd chc: cntitt campaign in a ~ry diffcrt.n1 d1rcccion,. for if chc Heretics kill chc1r wouJd·bc guide. they hlvc squ1nckrtd 1he chance' chey were about to be' offered to gJin the blessings of Nurgle and potentially ascend IO a higher plane o( powcr--
"""'°
IPART II: DEATH "Dem( ymi dtrn MJYOU satJJ r./Jis romtilg.. sorcmr. Your rdJmSa "Will rot dr.d ..i:J;a b<}Myow ~fa in iiJ< aid riJ< L<»tf efAII d•ims bir coll'
-Dca1h Pdtst Gltig'froth, to Anoxon the C:tlcul.ating
I
n P:nt U of The Heare of the Vona, the Heretics cngagi:-
with the_Priornilc Th:in:ttor, and art" presented with the opportunity to attJin in a single moment lhc pqwer they lui"
to Glory. Th-c Thaootor addrcs.ses them. informing them that he occupies a pivotal fulcrum in their f:ites,. a Yitai junction in their joumc~~ He :tcknowlodgts ho\\' fur they have come along a path strewn "'ith :in
uncountable quanfi1y of corpses left behind by othns who
h3\
_...._
clulknge that might be novel to both th< players a.nd the G2me Maste.r, .tnd thus it is particularly important to mulnt.lin the action, pace. and tension, and not to get djvcrtcd by other conc
At one end, the G2mc Mastu could simply tell the playc"
I
that their ch3mctc1s are very Bkcly to die, but not V.'Otry about losing them for gs>od, for the Chaos Gods still h3w: plans for such promising He-reties. One possible con1promise might be- to prime- the- pl:i:yers before the session ge.ts underway that bacf things arc likely to happen to their characters, but th.at they should go aJong with it until the ending is revealed. 3S there ar.c c-vents transpiring \\' ith ramifications they do not yet fully pcrc.civc:. Ultim3tely, each Came Mastei: has mote insight into his own group of players chan t h i.s book cotn provide, and thu~ most decide the be.st \\'ay to handle this conundrum for his p-3tticol-ar group, whether that means dise.u$sing the bro:u:I course of events in adv.uicc o.r vrorking through the deaths :ind rebirths of their characlc-rs :as they take place during the course of the adw:nhl!e.
THE JUDGEME NT """"'' rol'°""Cmit IO his jodg
r..Jfwvnidflrr tbtfSUJU~ofrht Prionutr 1'bsn.tror; t!,r lfrrstl r/wr '" dJ M'W7' befo", so 0tI soonyou CJln bdrrly s" hu •dt1lfll 4f
It p/1111,(a thru11g6 1hc J'W!Gps. Yoo fallvw far ~
hou.n. but may 6'11:t" btm mou.~n. stMing RnlJW l'(·ah)po11mn takrnj plattJust IMyomf the lxmndaria ofpcr«ptton. Aftrr u.fiitt apptJn it.If 4~ of rf'Udging ti;ror'!b t.l:c SWmp4 mJStillt :1btpts molt< 1'1twutlWJ o. tither sidr.. rlJt a.at slnil] tltr.lff.t•j t9 nw;t./ ""' """'tdjwas of ltfa =hbtg -'x.wl IV~:J"' ...,, If cfwt, IS - - rh< "'1fa
-r1u--u. ~..., tlW:...., ......b.,, l'!/Jt
rfJU1* tmor ad k'9ril:f a:sjtsty. Y• 11•.t i. 'F# nt a mpostihlt/orot. thr rrm rcrrilfJ,( buNlmh ofmd'"' lift• the 12tr 4Nd ••V"""'·~ ~... fib""'t. d.... tlrro•!!J •.,,.,, boughs. All dlx>ur JO"' i1 rr«ous rot. rbt rru~h of tl}c l'ftjbty trrtS c/ltd rn glr11<11l~.f tJWu!d as fungal forms rwut rhrou,ch and all about. Blo.rtcd Jlict rht tl:
""*
br , -
~
Having1e11hc ~nt; i1 is time foe lheTh.:in.1.tortO ~I tht ll\ll.h of his existence :and dlc meaning for the Hcrctacs' prcscn« in his othcrworidty court.. Rc:td or paraphrase the foUo"•iftg :aloud:
·ii11 lords.· r~ Tlxurator adtfrasa yo11 all "I must introduce
"'J"I/forwul!J.1• rhar.l""•'1fa matJO"'Jwipmr in.,,,;"t!I. I-.. dJ JOU hni d Pt-tomkt.
.ont i•
~ "11Jltllt# l!""..ttietu
of ti< P/.Jp< c.di liatbtf.t m: "°'al. TIJrrT "'<. .., of"' '"M•t<. bot 1 . . nlilr rh< «[Jm. I . . rt. £ut of"7 hr. C.dJ
mr
.,.J""' .,.,.,.J _ , .
"',.rt.""'· I . . tht apa of"7 Jar,, m ~rt ..,..J • tm!)< 14.fk «f/0(4.ltd ro us by rbt Plapc F:Jt}Jcr so Jaqg, 11111 a.~ ~1) l~• .wy lords. rs '" communic111.c lf}t ;udgmrmt
of lbt
Plague l.ord "f'O" your aanal so11b and, if})< «msyou 1P0rrby. to sbtp/)trdJOU through thr Fro::Ln HcJrt eft~ Voonrx. a,,J1b
,.;.., ti""·- F.dtb if,...., ....... ,,.....,....
"" - =- of"" ..hOrL &a btrJ ., -
lj>«l -1:! w G= Prn>m dna ; - /rd... r1J
•
Now. the Carne Mui:er should 3Sk each pb)u to rumc the true a«nc of 1hdr Mnbdion zs an Aspiring Clump.on of Cluos. He should tllow o:b • moment to think. M C possible rh< poc< shOOJld aor be mrcrrup«d and Ix Ny need to offC'f M>mc sueccsciom. The: mos: .li:kdy choices ll'C Apothrosil 10 1 Daemon Princc·s st.awn- or the rnot.1rcct to launch a Black Crw..dc Ot.11 of the Screaming Vonex .and in10 the g:ilaxy at la~, bu1 lk)mt: groups of Heretics migh1 wont to consoUd:uc their pow<'t wi1hin the Vortex 6r5t, srddna to become the mightiest warlords of all the: compc:ling f.actions. Other ~lerc1ics mis:ht conc.eivc of stiU more: unusu:il ambitions, ~·hich In Ir.sci( scill bto3dly fits the unkno~·;,blc n:rtu:rt: of Chaos. In shott., howc:,1u;, the -ambitiom arc: bkdy ro ronli>nn broodly to Oft< or th< li>!lowing !Our~
AronllosIS
Th;, .houJd i,., rhr: .~...,,. • .,, .rany Hcrctx ,,.,,.o;.,g
.1o,,.
the P.ath to Cby, (or othcr.·isr the: funher be- tr:lW:ls the mon: Jikcly he: is to fall foul o( the displcast1rc of one or other of the Chaos PcM•eB. Ali:C"ralL co scck po'Nl".r from the Ch.am Cods but not to surrender lo them In 1his manner is a high risk strategy indeed. Should 1ny of the tlerctks declare 1i)c.ir intent to sc:rk Apothco.sis. make a quid< note and move on to the: next pla)tf
BLACK CRUSADE ft is quiet' po1Mb1c: dUl one or mott Hcnr:io wish DD rnD.t ,..,., "!""' r1ir: 1..,m- or ~b• coor0ng ApodKpcmap. rn
rhr:"""
LORD OF THE
CREAMING V oRTliX
ln trtadlng the~ tO G~.omc Hcrt1:ics might wish to xuin such l""'-.rrfu< lh
UNKNOWAllUl AMBITIONS Some A1pi.ring Ch:.mptons ittk things ochcn c:an never entirely undcnund. from scettt knowkdgc- to 1.1ttctfy IOtbiddc:n smNlion In uta:lh,. t\.'eO cbc:s&" things an be conirxtmli:scd • sunply seeps 2long dlC P.alh 10 Glory. but me: Priomitc Thii&Utor's contttn is dut dq do not ~~I • fatal l.ack of ambit.on co ~ tht ultimate: destimtion.. The Thanator q\ICJi1ons lhc: HC'trtiC. ~iring him u> apb10 the oatuR.' of these concenu and co explain what part they havt' to pby in the: att:l1nmen1 or 1he blessings of the Ruinous Powtts. The Cn.mc: M:utcr _.houkt msU a note of the: Herctjc's answcni and judge iilhcy •tc Jui1:1bly epic in sc:1k bet'Orc mov1na on•
Hft'lng bcud 2.00 tttm:fy ••cbcd the- mibi1ious of each of dx Hc:fl:IK:s sa.nding btf'0tt h#n,, 1hc Pnornik Tlwwor r'IOW informs lhc H.ctetics of 1ht: ma: th• ..·di be ltvKd upon lhtm to tm11d my further 3.fong rhr P:i1h 10 Cloqt The C:amt Masttt .ahould dttNCr this lnfo rm:nion 10 lhc pl~ycrs, based on thcjr .stated ambition, :as follows. No1e chit this information is split bc~en an • in-diaractcr• clen\c111 and a gaming mechanics clement, and so che Can1e 1\i"Jttcr should be clear ns to y.•hich he is communicating y.·hcn kc doc:s: aQ.
APoniEOSIS Hartio ..no dcdatt tht:ir ob;cc:c.i\'C' u to achieve A~ .,. to be n>ngn"'btcd upon th< ~.U.taking scop< of th.r ..,i,;tioo. O< p
Th< Thmomr infoans rhmt th:tr d«b,. this :ombilioo th11 chc cost will be high. OOt rhcy wilt soon h.avc their ch:ancc to prove: thcmsct...cs wonhy of th;11 eo;1l. Any pl
or
"'°"
BLACK CRUSADE The Than.ator is suiubjy imprcncd \\•ith any Heretics who ded.arc their .inc.cnt co nM t Blade. Cnwidc against tht 1mpcriu.m. md sbtc:S tha tht po..u ftC'C'dc-d lo do so is ..ithin n:ach. for those ~ C2ft ptow" they~ the .,;fl ttquitc
roes
thr Heretics overcome all o( 1hoc ultimate- foes, cbc ~.r dccbMg his aml>tioa oo bunch a Blad< Crusade w;ll be granct:d addicional .illics :and ft'tOU-tta u dc:scribcd btcr oa.
LoRD OF THE SCREAMINc V oRIEX The- Pnotna.t.e- llu.n.ator unden:ands mu amb.llOCI pc-rtup """" dun the o
Should 3 Heretic declare his inte.nt to become Lord of the
Sc-rcnmtng Vortex, compare his lnf.1my 10 the thrtthold set u1 the beginning of the campaign. The dlfTcrcnc:c Is the number o( .ts•wins senl by his foes: the group must confront in order 10 prow chemxlvcs "wt.by of this ambition As before. the Hertt.a arc not nec:c:ssarify fighling rcsl UUIJHU Knt by rut rnnnia, they could simply be figmnia o( thew t~tiom 0< O..- called fonh by the f"O"
lJNKNOWABLE AMBITION When It comes to recejving other :unbicions, the Than:ttor nuln1.Jin1 Jn impl.acablc: manne~ for he knows 11~t hand how ficldc the whims of Ch;tOS mig ht appcv co thotc not in their unknov.·;bk grip. WhatcYCr the Hcmics bLC ao be chctr deAtt.. no..,... 1- outbndah oc scan;,,gly petty, he ....,iy nods. 11 ""*" be lcfi up to the Game i\bsatt t0 ~ilh tbecxan nxurc of the challenge- Hett1ics Stttdnc mott ao«ric ~11ons Midi face. but :an enttrt1inine rnc1hod ((or the C~\. ll lc:ist) ...,~Id be to ha\'C: rhcm &a • n opponent dedicated to dcny1nc them the treasures: or knowl.ed~ they des.re. An ideal oppon.ent " '<>uld be an Eld:a.r Hlrlcquin, and ~ •uch Heretics. c:ould be required to fatt :1 nu.rnbC'r of thtf.C lc:thi'il foes equal lO rhc d ifT'crcncc: ~fWt'e,n their cumnt Info my :ind 1hc Jnfamy Lhrcshold Kl :al lhe beginning of the c.lmpa•p . Should the pxip oYetcome all of these foes, thost H c:f't'ha Y.•ho suted this "tnbilion will gain that \\•hidl they des.re. 11 bJ1 50 far 2S thr CMte ~•mer decides it is possibk 10 cnnt the.. wist\.
TRET.EST Hnin2 cslilbli!hal the DJrurt ofcxh Hcrtr.c's rruc :unbltioo and dccarruned the degree o f tht: test they ire co face by comparing the cum:nt Inf.am)'· leveJ of Clch ~lel'C'llC with the overall threshold set at the: beginning o( 1hc
T HE S ETIINC The: jlldgcmcnc raM:s p1¥X no1 in the gloomy. mist-shrouded mvUons ofMR, but in :a.nocher rnlm cnri~f\t At the momc'nt of ;.dgnncn< the Hm:iJcs "" whisktd OW"f to a diff=nt sctt;.g (one fu< uch dofTcttnt destiny• H
A.pom.o.;., rud oc panpbns< the
If • H=ic following aloud
lw ~dtddml,_ __ • omJft- th<,...... ef aRd ,..,.,_"""'."" t{a,..,. aRd " ,..,, 4//., "fl'1" tltt /W, ro Gkly "'"" mi= iJr •"""' ofV-7"' wwld d... 1ot4i/ fK"'. ll>u..,,..""" llJ
y,.."""
lVo»i)'
Ami. dtiJtht l;<-Jd mol'NU l«J'in,¢ d01lllt.from it nigbl sit:j rmifrsrd by ,,,,J;ght. N.., J"" "'' ,..,11-.1 .. , l.snd=p< of bwmgjl.;i,, th< cluying Kr1fl so rb;'ri )""' t')IC strt'dm with itdd mm. N(!Jlf )«I
rfnrry colGIVCCfl(d . , twir}fDtdMOffd
•«•
Al dw £ur. dlJ «;CRS lrlfllJ'l'I UNM to 1'tSl ~ ""'1t C1P1 . . ; be dJc Fre::DI I/cut y.,. wul Jr'lt!ll'J 11ni1c "'9post paaptws ••,,.,ud< t/>11 . .ldtlmJO"-'"' asiJa. y.,,.,,.,,stmcbrJ
.. ""fimJod _
, _....-
...-si ~ • , . . • ltr.
""",..,,""" efroa ..
,,_.WU_.hlJ tf1JtJtJJt. l•
Joo.I ... - lltt "'l'"l ""'l"' ef
If a Hetctic chooses L1unching p:.staphrak the fo llowing 2loud:.
:t
Black Crusade, read or
of rbc SammOlj
T"'1c wlJe ....t t0 """3mfd tb< VMc:r ad -.iJr
-
-
lh J.a;,,, of M...i.cd mat fa«
"1i-~ c.pa...ad bis~ Y•bmdtd4m/, _- -,.fiJ/1t rht lAtf War. 0. " - 1/J< •-awoi,,_.Jof• s...mc, /lllf"""/"1 AU-:1""fa!Js ro1/J<,.....-f;,, aovcdcofdllSl, »#iitbCJ it dncuu d'U'9 t'f"M:db 11 .... !tM itt.ta!1 u:ml:Vc sight.. tlw sund 'R 1hr "'1tlt of tht Ltriat 1us;1w i*3Jir.:ibk. rls ""Ital m/11r_c so hrgh d/HJl"t it u /tut 10 '3 "'2zr ofUt<:tnx smoir,. rJ,c flhar 01u • ktlrmuttt lefortyau. 71,iJ pl.it«, rbougb on« botl- is nw d«a~ t'1t blmlng ofti/< 1'1•!!" God tddng 11/
.,.W,.,.. _
yo•...,;,
..u-""""""lhtJ!
ci.;, no. - """"".,./f""'
1be Hartia -.st now (au comhu ag:.sinst an au.in: ll
If~
H-ttttic choosies gainin& dominion as lotd of the S
Y• ,,..,.._,_ "'b"l"-tkftft/)ic ,..;. <{ ;"! Vona; tba'<"' m'1I!""'} ,.../"'drot • r/p<:f01t""4 ,..,.i..,.~ l>r s.a,"'
""'fl'U
"'*
The Hemic:s must now fxc tomba 2pim1 • pnxcs:sioo of Trd>-AuuUns (Stt pogcs l62-l6l ol lh< Black Ctwadr Cott Rulebook),. the numbn ckcc::nnined by rcfermc:c to tM ln(2my scotC" of lbc charackf bc-ing teired, as oo page f 36. If 2 HetC"tir chooses to pursue: an Unkn0W2ble Ambition, re:id or paraphr:t.se the following l loud·
Tbostthat dtrl4rt' tbdr 1VJ1brtwns to 1cbi""dains u.nkn01111'1' harbour alim pas:rrons wi!Jrn t/]ar wuJs. And so. tlJt:y mw corifivnr ,,.,.;., tJ,:r Jc.ir< t/Jt Sa''"""'I V..rcxfr ""'°"Iva,fas/.,,, ,,,.,, >/:o ....Jd1« rJ,c/fa'Y <{the l'Wtot mdm.J Rm,,,./ .......... far dJtir on.. anhczuH:: ~ Th Itta' t.m ad di1wB iii JrmJ,
"'!!" «""11 "' od;& """',.., """"' ,.,_,u, .."" ,. ,,,.,,.. =-1.r """""'
drfi ~spa«. 'l1!t
.i:r-. -
,.,;& "". .~
dJt .l
*'
ambition of ihe Heretic with the hipcst Infamy score. The firs1 1imc this is done, rc•d .t1oud the
rclC"V:int scene .setting tC"Xt As dC"SCribed in 1he re.nd aloud, the Herccio' surroundings suddenly shift,. snatching chen' av.·.1y 10 ll new b:itde6eld where they must face the roc d ctcnnincd c:arlier. For c.x11mpk, if rhc hi&h~t Infamy score in the pp bcklni:J 10 2 Hctt1ic ,..bo decb ttd •sladt C NUCk• JS his ambirioa. dlC'n ~ Mllft' l'°"P finds themsc:tvcs in thr Mns o( 2 V2S1, fil th-ridden Basilia lmpcri•I-. and must fifb1 • number of Crcy Knights cquaJ to rhc difTcttnce betv•ttn chac H~oc's lnf•my KOtC' and the threshold K l a1 the be&'nning o( the camp3:ign. The Game MM1cr is free to run the combal howt \•cr tw= wbhcs, fol' example, having the cnc1ny
rt
/
.xtac:k ind~vid~lly or in ~ cagagt.ttg from .t d.--:e or ch.arsine held&ong into dose combat. The catitt &IOUf' fighlS. and whil< th<
c3n ~ontin ue
un til 3 IJ o f the Het"etics 3ft' slain. HowC'\o't':r, in the cvtnt rh at they defeilt r:o.·u y enemy sent ~g3in!t them (or so m:any chat 'the combat h:t.s grov.·n tedious), the GM can have the scc-ne change one final time to end the encqunter before jt dr•gs on 1 00 long. ln that case. the GM s'hou]d or f>3tsphrase the fo llov>'ing abod: The !rials
At tbt 1.'11»1io:: rf)'OW' ,,_;a~ t'1t cold wid th:J is dx Frozm H(IU! ri!tSup a.r theJJtaw ofsmM oct.v.ic fn.UJ,.1n. Jn mr flutant. all is Mick. T/JiS ti}tn. is dtdlf). Your P1tlb f9 Cfury (1'ids. Jxrr. .. Ytt )'OU dt;.'(f} sn·t t witbin lb( R(d/m ofNurglr, whose t'SStr.« IS r.ot sfmply t.kuJ,, but 1rbirrh. lOu ~n itt t/x G!Udm ef /'r.'urg/(, bur di/ U ltOI as fl »W lxfarr. Rdrbo; the g;tnkn itulf is :ifh.y with riotous mrxion, 'W/Ji(b rtSO/m int9 r}J(farm ofa Ort:.trer Damon ef Nllf'gl~ Gre1t1 U1tc/(an O~ and ;cs 4musemmt III yo11r prtsena is1Vrit llfl'ge upon its hldmusftatum!
•
..
.
•
-
•
Finally, when the Heretics have :ill been slain (or the G~\ otherwise e nded the encounter), the advcncure, and possibly the entire campaign. moves to itt pivotaJ moment. Should he " i sh, the Game 1\i.astef" cao impose :i brief moment of rcffection for players to consider t he end their Heretics met If it looks as if they tu1\'e g i\'en up on their characters, the C~1 can temind the players t hat Nurgle is t he god of death but :1lso of rebirth. l n him, hope and ckspair e\·er chase each other, each devouring the other's taiJ in an endless cycle of demise and resurrection. This end is no more final than any o the,r. G.amc- fl.i:ascer should inform the players that the moment of judgement is now upon the Heretics, :ind that if they have pro\'Cil themsetvcs worthy o f the blessings of che Chaos Gods. their ch-ar.icters a n endure eve.n the seemingly inevitable curse called mortali£)<.
ART
Ill: REBIRTH
"'So as 11 aukd. it. 'fxgim. s,, as it btg'11:,. it ouls. The tmnbtus cvmpkt(s tb< circle-, and as I ratdJ it, I sdzr
- Verg the lntcrminabk , upon h is ascension
T
he clim:n: of the adventure Ocgins with a read a loud section that desctibc:s hov.• the Heretic:\. or their
d isembod'icd spirits, a1 least, pass through the Heart of
the Vortex and hear lhc judgement of the very gods passed upon them. Havting done so, they awaken, the Path to Glory
haV"ing taken them as fa r through the Scrt'aming Vortex as it m3)'. The HeRtics have proved themselves \.'i'Otthy o f die blessings of the Ruinous Pov.·ns b~· giving their w:ry Lives to prOVC' the scope of their vile ambitions. Rc!id or inraphr3SC the (oUowing alood: As 1})< Ian
drop of blood Spew1 fa11h. timr sf&ll$ unto notbrifg,
All fada to bl.td and your bodits b«ome il'
CROSSROADS IN THE PATH TO GLORY Shoukl an~· of the Heretics have earned sufficie-nt Jnfamy 10 q ualify attempt Apotheosis, tht rime to do so is nov.; as 1hey ll\'o'ake-n on the surfa
ln the case of Hetttics dNiding th3l their rise to pcl'-''er amongst the \\':tning mastcrs of the Screaming Vortex is not
yet complclc and that Lhcy Yo'ish to <"XCfC rhcir will upon thtir riwls arc now :iblc co do so. T his is simply 3 matter of continuing the .campaign as before, the .ad\•enturc Jimjted, for now .at IC'aSt, to the regions within lht' Saeaming Vone-x. H:rving gai:ned the blessings of the Ruin,ous ~\\•ea for 1heir ende:ivour, the Game Master might consider focusing the 3Ction of futute advtntutt's on the theme of confronting rivJI w.i.wlords, slayin·g powerful enemies, gathering follower~ 3nd taking ~r the realms of their foes. Ftiturc advcntu1cs coold focus on using Compacts (is d escribed on page 269 of the BucK CwsAtl'E Co.re Rulebook) to dedicate such endeavours to the Ruinous Powers \\'hose '")'CS :l.te already fixed upon the Heretics, the uhim:ue goal to strike down as many rivals as possible. Shoold the Hc~rics ha\•e succ«dcd in defeating 3n e>:ccss of enemies during their judgement., the Game Master should consider gcanting them a bonus in 3ny future campa.ign, such as additioruaJ fnfamy points ,.,,,.._.. or advantageous mocHfiers when interacting with riwls: Lastly, th~ HCtttics who ·
declared the ambirion to gain less. definabJe blcs.sings. treasuR:S, experiences, secret lore, or otherwise 3bstract f'"CW.lrds shoold h3'<'t: their desires granted, oc·at least built into the ongoing narrative of the c:unpaign. In many C3SCS, the C3me f.t1~tcr an grunt these smight av.·a~ as th
If The J-lt:an of die- VONa bu bccn compktcd • lhc !Ourth ...i fin,J god-specific d ..llcng.. •nd .....mg dx Camt Ma:tltt h:tS run other .ach>cncurcs bcrw<-cn dKll5C l"""'led In ohincd in ~ cntOC1ntrn shooJd be romidcttd 1f 11\t .n~ Is to continue. in particnbr if the Hera.a in,C'nd launching 1
THE WAGES OF SIN ~•
l1l1'1t1 - . cl;.mplOll
-.f/fta&J.•lf]. JllkmiM11 /.Jd:s ill f'nJlrJ.Tds.
T....!i< ad hd}.id I/Jr"'°" '"'1.lw tl>a "} ""' !dwplid,. IV!·
' A
-SNr ~2'ttt. Sorcerer of Nu.rglc
dixYss
supplements, each dcdjcatcd
10 ll
specific Ch.aos Cod. It is
likely that playc-rs h:ivc alrcidy completed the first three ndvcnlurcs :ind in doing so earned the blessings ofTzccntch
In the TOM.E OF fAn;, Khornc in 1hc T<»tE
OI'
BLOOO and
Sl.J:tncsh in the T oME OF E.xc:ua. Even i(The Heart of the vo,ra is not intended to form the climll' of a O:mp;3ign, the ccncn.1 lhrmcs of death and rebirth •"= crntnf to the nature: of Nutgk. lhc PLlguc God. ood •an b< plrj
'°
ttm
Black Cn.asadc ou1 of the Screaming Voncx. In T111 TOMI! Of' F'ATE;. the Helt' tics foug'11 ror lhc blessings. of liccntch by embroiling lhc:msclvcs in 1hc 11fl':1irs of 1he 1naS1c11 o f1hc planet QSal They may have co1ne in10 confllc1 wilh one or l('Vt'ral of those masters during 1hc IKlvcntutc prCfCnkd In th:1t book, in which asc lhc Came Mmer &ttould consid« how thi1 might aff«t. thc1t oneoi:n& tfforts. It rmy bC' dut somr or all of the '4-wid'a moA powM'uJ lords AR' tn their ckbc: Of under their infNcocr., in "-hkh QIC' they may be comptBtd 10 add their "tight to dw Hctttia Bbck Cnwdc. They migl11 p«Mde po~'Cfful toftt'ttl'I. Dxmon En gincs. l\or-dcs of frenzied cuJtim., or C\C n c.aO ln anc~t dcbcs ~nd summon up the scrvict:s of • 1mall contin~nl of Thou~nd Sons Ch.aos Space ~iarina. The exact details: ate lcA up (O 1hc C:imc i\42Stec, wilh reference co the 21.1id:it1ce for launching a Black Crusade presented on page 74. fn the J«Ond book, THE T oME OF Bt.0001 1hc Heretics .sough1 to impose thti.r will upon t~ w111mn1 Drill Cl:ans of Mn.Jia, chas: proving thcmschu in the eyes o( 1hc Blood God, Khom<. lnsodo;ng lhcym;ght t..vc p.ncd the mighty 0 - Wupon, lhc Axt of l\Nk·Ai..ha, ond g>;ncd ua:nd:ancy owr one of men of the clan& • we-It as hordes o( m1.1unu. 'The Camie Master should fttl ('" t.o work thckal1CU 1.nto ihc Bbc:k CrUS3dt:. and it a likty th.al mundcs.t Lhouands of mutants and heretics ~aming 11\c: pl'lliscs of lhc Blood Cod wiU cl.anlO(lr to thcir bloody 1-nnet if thq were successful in that advMture:. They might even h~\'c gained iucf\ ~bloody reputation as to aUr,JCt the CIHentions of a w:.r band of fearsome \V.orld Ea1crs Ch:KtS Sp:ice fo.iarlnes. In 1he third book, Tm TOM& OF E.M:UI. 1he Heretics soua;h t to pt'D\'e themselves rmstcrs of the c •qvit1tc deprwirics of Slaana:h and g:iin power 0VC1 ilic- drodtd vokl pir.:110 of the Raa
'°
•"Olidl of 1hc lmpaium and drown them 111 daugl11cr >nd "·ice. I( they c1n offer sufficient cnccrt1•nmc'f'IU. thty might even be a~e 10 lurt' :t war band of the Emperor's Children ChlOs Sp;1CC ~iarines to 11id them in their cnde:ivour. L11tly, i( the Heretics survived ahcir 1cbirth on fitiirc under the: cold, inscrut3ble judgcmc-nt of the 1"h:an:uor, they h.:ive at their dlspogl :t plague that is the culmi~lion of cw:ry ge:nc:nt'°'1 or Priomitt:s Wt went before.
'.
CHARACTER NAME _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P U'l'ER NAME _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 0 .AEMONIC TRUE N AM£ P RfDE
D ARK P ATRON - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 01SGRACf. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
M OTIVATION
D ESCRIPTION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CHARACTERISTICS WEAPON SJ\.tu
8.w.tme S1uu
StuscrH
TOUGH~
ActuTr
! NTI:LUCENCE
P ERCEPTION
W IUJ'OW£R
(WSJ
(BS)
(S)
(I)
(Ac)
(1"'1
(PER)
(WP)
Fru.ow9lU' (FEL)
•'
I
'. CHARACTERISTICS T OOCHNESS
ACil.lTI'
W 1~·E1l
f EU.OWSHl-P
(I)
(Ac)
(WP)
(Fa.)
\VEA PON
....
"'" C LlP
ROF
WEAPON NAME
C l.ASS
l>AMAC.E
"""'"'
ROF
.......
fE.."'I
....
=·
SPEOAL l.UU!S
Type:
WEAPON. GEAR
NA M& Cl.ASS
DAMACll
.,..,,.
..,..,.
lOF
cm
..
'"" ....
Sl'f.CIAL am.es
MOVEMENT:
~: :
)
CffARCE (
l
R1»1 (
I
I
TOTAL
WOUNDS:
Cu.1utorr
FATIGUE C RITICAL 0 .U.ACE.: - - - - - - - - -
PSYCHIC POWERS
l
INFAMY POINTS: FAVOUR:
T OTAL (
)
CtJ11.1UNr ( =
)
SPEST( _ _ ) UNSPENT( _ _ )
DAEMONIC G IFTS
GIFTS OF THE CODS
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