Being the journal-entries of Sebastian York, Lord Captain of the Vessel-of-Warrant The Cleansing Light, commencing with its formal recognition as a recommissioned ship of the Imperium.
Port Wander
0046819M41
It's the recommissioning party tonight and I can feel the anticipation in the air (or maybe the life sustainer is on the brink again it's hard to tell). The Arboretum is ready to receive our guests and I've spared no expense on the refreshments and entertainment. Should be a good night.
0047819M41
What a blast! Commander Sans turned up for all of five minutes, but at least he came. From what I hear that's about as good as it gets from that guy. Captain Fekward and Captain Sun Lee came. Fekward is a piece of work, presented me with some Slave girls. They were entertaining enough but I can't imagine they were kept well, you could see it in their eyes. Still some dancing girls will be good for moral so I'll keep them. Not sure where I'll put them though. Sun Lee gave me a ceremonial sword, I'll have to have it checked for concealed pict-recorders and the like. She may seem honourable but I doubt she'd pass up the chance to get one over me. Then there was Captain Lynn. Gave me some piece of alien sculpture that Cymbry is all excited about, though not as excited as he was by her Eldar companion. She had a certain charm to her, a style that I found attractive so I pushed my luck to see if there was any chymistry to it. I'm pretty sure there was even if she's playing hard to get.
Latter in the evening Cymbry told me about some rumours he'd heard the crew of the Chains of Dusk talking about. A auction being held by the Seven Witches of Footfall. Sounds too good to miss. Seems like we have a destination. Now all I have to do is convince the Bridge crew that a hot tub is the perfect place to have these kinds f discussions, none of them wanted to join me. Maybe they're intimidated by my overwhelming physique.
En Route to the Expanse
0048819M41
I took Cymbry and Vectis to see if we could find out more about these Seven Witches and some low lifes told us that they are some kind of revered psykers on Footfall. Supposedly they are auctioning the location of the Dread Pearl, a lost world rumoured to be a treasure trove of well treasure. We thought about getting some backing to help funds us in an expedition but given that the Witches claim to know where a planet full of treasure is we reckon they wont be wanting Thrones and didn't bother. I can't imagine what they will want in return for the location of the mythical planet but I'm not going to let such a minor issue stop me from finding out.
Just as we were debating this we spotted Chains of Dusk leave port shortly followed by Nihontu. We rushed off to Cleansing Light, rounded up the crew and set off as soon as we could. Spotting a chance to Test Crimson's skill as Master Helmsman I demanded that we reach a safe distance to enter the Immatrium before Chains of Dusk. Unfortunately we were about half an hour behind her by the time she entered teh warp. Still, a damn good showing by Crimson. I'm certainly glad to have her at the helm.
We'd already decided that to show we were more than mere armature's playing at exploration we were going to avoid the safe places as we shot the maw. The calculations made and Astra strapped in we prepared to enter the immaterium. The passage was smoother than the ones I'd calculated in order to get the Cleansing light to Port Wander for repairs after the 'incident'. Crimson gave a woohoo and Astra replied to her bravado with a "I live for this" as we plunged into the depths of madness. I prefer more human pleasures that are less likely to send me mad or make me loose my lunch but it's an attitude that I appreciate in the crew who will be guiding my ship through the darkness.
0051819M41
The statues are moving, I can see them do so, yet many of the crew do not notice. I cannot help but think that they are trying to kill me. I've had them all stripped from the walls and locked in the cargo hold. I wont risk it even if it does turn out to be a temporary lapse in perceptual truth.
0055819M41
The Warp storms are too great, even for Astra and crimson to navigate. It's a shame that we couldn't get through without stopping at the safe places but better to get through than die for some miss placed sense of pride. As we arrived at teh Witch-cursed world we picked up raiders. I played to our strengths and had the ship run cold as soon as the contact was announced. With the Emperyan mantle up I hoped we would avoid a conflict but the Pirates knew something was there and swept in with their aurger arrays active. We drifted past the first of them but a second came around and spotted us. Lupus kept their vox jammed while we powered up the Lance and struck. As we did I lead a boarding strike against them. The battle was going well but I knew that if we got draw into a prolonged conflict we would end up in Footfall with significant damage to repair. Something I wanted to avoid so that we could get under way quickly once we knew where this treasure planet is located. We'd shown we weren't easy pray and when we hailed them claimed to be the forward scout of a fleet. The power of our lance or the threat was enough as the ships backed off, though the only reply to out hail was some static and what I am told is the speech of machine spirits.
We quickly got under way again to avoid another conflict should they discover out lie.
Footfall
0059819M41
We've arrived at Footfall. The rest of the journey was relatively uneventful. Chains of Dusk is already here but we have arrive before Nihontu, at least we aren't last to the auction. Cymbry has secured us reasonable deals on berthing and resupplying the ship.
Footfall
Placeholder date
Unwilling to just let the crew loose in case we needed to leave swiftly, we disembarked in order to gather the local gossip and find out when the auction was to take place. I'd thought Port Wander was cramped but Footfall is something special. I imagine you could have a short but profitable career as a cut purse. The smell of teh place was vile and the mass of pressed bodies almost made me shudder in distaste.
As we took in scene some rough looking men in Military uniforms approached us and demanded we pay our tithe. Cymbry made a suitable cutting remark about the uniforms. something about them being Calaxis navy uniforms and the spokes person claiming to be a grand admiral. I allowed Cymbry to deal with the particulars, passing the conversation to him with a passing threat of physical force. The men didn't seem impressed but Cymbry managed to convince them that they would profit better by striking a business deal with us than by pressing us for coin on the dockside.
As he lead us to one of his house's establishments we had a hurried conversation about what we would seek to barter for. I informed him that we could offer supplies, exclusivity and such like. The drinking house we ended up in was really rather seedy and run down but I didn't say anything. suffice to say the negotiations went well enough and we have established some long shore contacts for future visits to Footfall.
As the negotiations came to a close a servo-envoy arrived with a message from the Liege of Footfall for me. I was apparently invited to a meal that evening. Finally a chance to associate with refined individuals. Cymbry made some calls to find out a bit more about the Liege while I sorted out a suitable outfit. At the reception I made my introductions to the Liege (a monstrous man who has replaced almost all of his body with brutal looking augmetics) who indicated that Senior Negotiator (name) was looking to speak with me. Apparently he represents a criminal cartel that Cymbry's family are in the employ of and which they would one day like to become a part of. We spoke and he offered to sell me the location of some Kroot mercenaries looking for work. It was clearly a test to see if we were people he could do business with. Dashkit has been useful to me so I agreed to his price for the location of a dozen Kroot.
I noticed Captain Lyn, Feckward and Sun Lee were also present, as were a few others who seemed to be Captains. The talk of the meal was going to be the auction and I was already looking forward to the chance to spar with Lyn. Not wanting to miss the opportunity I made sure I was in place to sit across the diner table from her. As dinner was served I found myself simultaneously repulsed and excited. Every dish was extremely rare, expensive and dangerous to eat. It was flashy and pointless just like most of noble life but here was a chance to show the other Captains that I wasn't some spineless fool with a ship. I took a serving of the most awful thing there, Warp eel! I proudly noticed that Astra was the only other to dare eat more than a grimacing mouthful. My bravado served well to impress the others but it did cause me some difficulty. A short moment after I finished I felt my flesh start to shift and rebel against it's form. It was painful, disturbing and I don't doubt will cause me issues should imperial authorities ever catch up with me and find out. I found myself with eel like fangs. I kept a brave face on and made some throw away comment about liking them. The chymistry that I noted before between Lyn and I came out as she made a caring comment about me having them "looking into" that and the leg that kept brushing mine from across the table meant I knew I was onto something and she does have a very large cruiser.
Everyone was very closed lipped about the bidding and with silver tongues sill fencing we moved from the dining room to the after dinner party. Cymbry went off to speak with Madam Armelan as she seemed to be the most likely ally we could secure while I hit upon the grand Idea of drawing some of the guests into a game of cards with Embarrassing secrets as the currency of choice. Lyn, Mister Blitz and Baron Scourge took me up on the offer where upon Lyn promptly took the pot. A shame as I'd have liked to hear what she'd rather I didn't but better to lose to her than the others. With that the party really got into full swing. I don't remember too much else. I'm told that both Astra and I had to be carried back to the ship and that a mysterious Eldar was seen on the way back.
Placeholder date2
I'm hungover and my face smarts something rotten. While I was worse for ware Lupus took it upon himself to deal with my dental difficulties. I would be mad but I would have had to have it done anyway and he saved the teeth so I'm keeping one as a reminder and I've given the rest to Cymbry to pay Gorbaz with.
The bidding is today and I intend to win it but first we're off to hire some Kroot.
Emperor's arsehole! The backstabbing slimy little twist-lover. I'll have his head on a spike. Feckward hired a handful of common thugs to attack me. What insult, to send mere thugs after me. Dashkit and Cymbry proved their worth taking no small number of our assailants to pieces in swift order. By in large we came away unharmed, Cymbry took some shots to the chest and probably has some cracked ribs. I on the other hand am going to be wearing my helm to the bidding after the mess they made of my face with a lucky shotgun blast. Needless to say I took out my frustration on the offending parties but Feckward's punishment will need careful thought. Death is too good for him.
After the fight I returned to the Ship with Lupus to get stitched up while Dashkit and Cymbry went on and secured us some Kroot to work for us.
The bidding was one hell of a show. Each present got one and only one bid. If it was rejected then one would be escorted from the hall. We waited to see what would class as a successful bid. The first to be taken was the 'Palace of Moonlight' I've not a clue what that is but is was clear that unique objects were the order of the day, or near enough anyway. We thought long and hard about what we should bid, settling in the end for the Personal effects of an adversary I will not name here I had kept from the Cleansing Lights maiden voyage.
It turned out that our dinner companions from the evening before made up the serious bidders. Soon our bid will be collected and the foretelling made.
We've a little time so Cymbry has gone off to secure us a Resusortix to aid in getting me back on my feet and able bodied.
Placeholder date3
My body aches from my wounds but my mind is eager for the foretelling. The tension is almost unbearable as we take another step towards riches that will eclipse what I already possess. I ready myself now to travel to the Cell.
Of what transpired in the Cell I will not write. Such horror should not be recorded. Know only that I can feel the tug of the Dread Pearl and I will have it to be my own. Nothing will stand in my way. As we left Lyn invited us all to join her aboard the Diamond Song and celebrate. It is a chance to forge stronger alliances before we set out to claim our prize. I fear Feckward might not attend and instead take the time to gain a lead but the pressure to meet the unwritten code of our kind my hold him yet.
Lyn's taste is much to my liking. Drink, drugs, women. All were available to satisfy whatever desire one could imagine. It was a ploy to loosen tongue of course and one that worked. I have spoken to her of my designs in too great a detail. Still she spoke to me of hers if only I could recall them and such things of not of much concern. Alliances have been made, which I suspect will hold for a while yet, if not to the end of our quest. Better yet I have glimpsed, like a dream, the beauty of her unclothed flesh. While Obscura clouded my thought I imagined I must have partaken of such pleasures with her but while I write this and the fog leaves me I believe that no such thing has occurred. She played to my unconcealed desire well and has reaped the rewards of my lowered guard. None the less the chase was exhilarating and all the while I keep the final goal at arms reach it will continue to be so. To simulate the sense and yet not overwhelm them. The fence wits and tongue. I eagerly await our next meeting.
We've been travelling in convoy with Armelan and Gerret. It's tense but neither has shown sign of betraying us soon. Warp travel is as unpleasant as ever and we're having to drop out warp every so often to re-calculate the route. We dropped out to perform such calculations today and when we did the master of etherics informed me that there was a strange signal being detected. Always curious I took the Cleansing Light in closer for a better look and we found some ancient probe thing. Orthesian assures me that is is valuable and as it's been in the expanse for centuries if not longer it's data may prove valuable as well. We brought it on board and Orthesian is going to do further investigations when he has the time. I smell profit already.
Cappa-Psi-12
Well that was unexpected. Turns out what we thought was the Dread Pearl was just the source of how to get to the Dread Pearl, but all things in order. We arrived at our destination Cappa-Psi-12 and Armelan took the Grace of Sopha straight down to the planet to get on with things as quickly as she could, driven by desperation to drag her family name out of the dirt. Gerret hung back to see what we'd do. We however took a small diversion to investigate some Xenos vessels that were in the system. Terns out they belonged top some bazaar Xenos who like to trade for all sorts of junk. I let them have my pistol in exchange for information about the planet.
Forewarned a little of what to expect we headed to the planet and tracked down a strange temple that we believe may hold the secrets of the Dread Pearl. Torque took us down in a lander but some freak storm resulted in a really rather bumpy ride. As we disentangled ourselves from the crash site we discovered we had disturbed a giant insect like creature. Cymbry displayed a talent for combat I had not expected to see and Gorbaz showed his worth.
It took us three days to trek through the jungles of the Emperor forsaken planet and it's contemptible dragon-hornets but finally we found the Temple. There was signs that someone was up ahead and not knowing who we'd meet or how they'd react to us being there we concealed ourselves. Gorbaz however decided that this was a perfect opportunity for an ambush and attacked. Our presence revealed I through X to the wind and changed. It was BaAron Scourge we had stumbled upon and the fighting was fearce . He is a capable duellist and nearly had me. His navigator, more reckless than even Astra however unveiled her warp eye and I remember little of the fight beyond that.
As I came around I discovered that we had defeated Scourge and taken one of his officers captive. Yet more profit! Sun Lee had arrived just as the fighting ended and we struck a deal to work together and split the booty. As we were finalising the deal some shadowy figures appeared from nowhere and started using foul sorcery to transport the Temple somewhere else. Unwilling to let the prize escape us we began to ascend the temple structure and fired upon the Xenos.
Torque almost fell to his death and our injuries were heavy but we forced them to flee into the fell dimensions from which they had come and claim the prize. The Temple imparted visions that showed us five locations from which we could piece together the true location of the Dread Pearl. The race is still on and we have much further to go to claim it that we had thought. Still exciting stuff to say the least.
Knowing little of the expanse we traded with Gerret for information about what each of the locations was and got a complete copy of the Tau language thrown in as an extra. Crmbry is excited at least.
Zayth
We chose the war planet of Zayth as our first target as it is the gate way into the heathen stars where all the other locations seem to be. the journey itself was as uneventful as they ever are but Astra did notice we were being followed. As soon as we arrived we discovered who it was. A frigate, the Hammer of Destiny belonging to Bastille opened fire upon us even as it was still coming out of the warp. We took heavy damage but after it's surprise assault we were able to avoid most of it's fire and sent it running. We pursued but it fled into an asteroid field and we were in no shape to follow. Instead we set about our own repairs while we scanned the planet to see what it was we would need to do to gain the knowledge to be found here. The name of the ship was similar enough to Baron Scourges ship that I assumed they must have been his and as they fled I accused them of being so. I suspect that is a mistake that I shall have to endure jibes about in the future.
What was mysterious was that all power to our quarters drained as the Hammer of destiny opened fire. I fear we have spies and sabatours on board. Crymbry assures me he is going to look into it and flush them out.
The landships of Zayth are a thing one can only believe when you have seen them. They are as big as a hive city, armed like a heavy cruiser and walk. Not only that but their marcocannon are far superior to those made according to the standard mars pattern. We Voxed the Indestructible and the Bulwark, two battling landships that were near to where Astra informed me psychic energy similar to the ones we had already encountered was. They indicated that they wouldn't attack us but that our safety was our own concern.
Getting down to the bottom of what would once have been an ocean valley and getting the co-ordinates was laborious and ultimately rather dull, Getting back to the ship… now that was an adventure and not one I'd like to repeat any time soon. Alas I imagine that each and every one of these 'strands of fate' that we must find will be in locations like this and all sorts of terrible danger will await us. Actually that does sound rather good fun.
Climbing out of the ocean valley the ground began to shake and as we came to the top we saw the armies of the Indestructible and the Bulwark clash like titans. Caught in the middle of it we had no choice but to dash for cover and do our best to survive. We held up a troop carrier and started to make our escape. Spotting an aquilla lander we made our way across teh battle to it hoping to use it to make our escape. Well it turned out that the lander was what the battle was over. Seems that the Zaythians have lost the technology to make aircraft or something like that. What was much more interesting was the dead mechanicus envoy inside and his orders. We took the dataslate with us and plans to trade with the Zaythians were already forming in the back of my mind.
everything after that was a bit of a blur. Gorbaz stole a bike, the rest of us got on another transport, people chased us and an Eldar sniper appears and took pot shots at us. all in all the kind of exciting that ends up with you being very dead when the dust settles. Quite frankly I'm much happier now I'm back on teh cleansing light. I'm getting the bridge crew together to discuss possible trade negotiations with the Zaythians and what we're willing to give them.
Zayth
We have decided to trade technology with the landship Indestructible. I've voxed the Eldar Tacticans whom I believe to be the people in charge of teh ship but it's difficult to tell. The mechanicus envoy was to avoid speaking with them as some rivals of theirs had upset them in previous negotiations. Apparently he was to aid in some rebbellioun so I used that as a bargining chip to gain an audians and gain some good will from the Elder Tacticans.
We were met by the Elder tacticans and negotians were about to begin when the brewing rebbellion erruptedinto our meeting room. Dashkit proved once again why winning a Kroot bodyguard is almost as good as winning an exotic dancer. It seems that by dint of being real people we were able to make a reasonable impression. The Elder Tacticans organised some security to help put down teh rebbelion and sensing an oppurtunity to gain more favour we accompanied them. As we entered the gunnery decks I got my first view of the auto-loaders that the mechanicus envoy had been sent to aquire. Big, noisy and dangerous. If we can get some of these on our ship I'm sure Gorbaz will be pleased. seems like his kind of thing.
We made our way down the gunnery deck. The roiling movement of the landship combined with the sudden activity of the auto-loaders and macrocannons meant that traversing the deck was incredibly treacherous. The troopers fanded out as myself and Torque made our way around one side. Dashkit rand with staggering agility across the centre. The fighting was fierce and deadly but a miscalculation in vaulting a macrocannon sent me flying across the room as I found myself standing on it when it fired. This did little to impress the Elder tacticians but we had proved ourselves to them and they agreed to trade with us.
We've managed to agree to terms of trade for repairs, a Zayth pattern macrocannon to replace our lance which they will get, auto-loaders through out the ship and whatever crew wish to go with us to replenish ours. All in all a good deal.
Somewhere in the Heathen Stars
By the Emperor that was close. We only just got the Cleansing Light void worth and what happen? Exit the immaterium at the next set of co-ordinates and we're promptly ambushed by a dammed Eldar raider. The assault almost hulked her but we came about and unleashed the might of the Zaythian macrocannon. The devious xeno bastards weren't expecting that and we crippled the ship. Our Argurs went offline just when we could have done with them and the wrek of our attackers driffted out of range. I sent Torque out after them to make sure they weren't coming about to finish us off. Orthesian had rerouted the power and brough the augers back online before he returned and we went out to see if we could find him. Must be the unluckiest pilot in the expanse. Got into a duel with an Eldar fighter and lost. The interceptor is a mess and wont be void worthy without a lot of work. From what we can tell the Eldar fled after the mess we made of their ship. Guess we'll have to make emergency repairs again before moving on.
We've found a portal of sorts. Looks like it was made by the Eldar. Same bone like structures as the Temples. We're going to send a Lander through to see what is on the otherside before we take the Cleansing Light through.
The Processional of the Dammed
By the Emperor's grace we survived. The otherside of the Portal was the Processional of the Dammed, an forsaken blight on the expanse we're voidships gather to die. Looking out at the sea of hulks that fills the system fills one with a deep despair. I have been keeping myself busy and entertained to keep my mind from it but even so it is difficult to drive it out of thought completely.
The augers were a mess and I had Dashkit practically tethered to them to make sure we weren't ambushed. We simply cannot afford to get into trouble with the ship in the state it is.
At the centre of the system is a black star with vile tendrils stretching out as though drawing all to their doom. I'm glad we're out of that hellish place. I'm sure it must be responsible for the Hollowmen. We first encountered them shortly after we unloaded a hail of ordinance at what I think must have been an auger ghost that Dashkit was sure was a ship. They flew onto the hull of the Cleansing Light from near by wrecks and started trying to rip salvage from her. Astra went and dealt with some by opening that dammed eye of hers while I lead the crew in an assault on them. Turned out they were as tough as Orks and just as lethal in a fight. Lost a lot of good men and women taking down just a dozen of them.
Once we had driven them off we were hailed by a man calls himself Jackson. Turned out there are some survivors from Wrath Umboldt's original expedition to the Processional living in the system despirate to get out. Five extended family groups that Jackson knew off includeing his own. We took em all on board to save them from the cursed place. I couldn't very well leave them there. Lupus and Placeholder name put them through quarintine as best they could but there was too many. I hope they aren't infected with whatever it is that makes the Hollowmen.
The Processional of the Dammed
We found the location of the Eldar structure where the co-ordinates could be taken from. Astra and Placeholder name set about gathering the co-ordinates while the last group of survivors were loaded on board. They were from a Spacehulk, the Sin of Damnation. Our Augers showed that the hulk had about twelve vessels in it and some of them seemed to be very old so while the co-ordinates were being acquired I sent out search parties to find any valuable booty. Placeholder name found the Sin of Damnation itself, a foul and treacherous voidship that it seems was in the hands of some traitor marine when it was hulked. The ship is in fact almost completely whole, the crew apparently killed by some vile sorcery gone wrong. A book of ruinous knowledge was found in the hands of the Lord Captain and we have taken it, a blade containing a warp entity of some kind and the Lord Captain's body and effects on board. I shall task Astra and Placeholder name with unveiling the secrets and value of the fel artifacts we have found. Alongside that Havelock found an elegant laspistol of ancient design that he has gifted to me. It certainly looks the part and will add a little flair when I next dine with nobility.
Just as we managed to get everyone back on board we spotted more Hollowmen. Gorbaz was eager to get to grips with such a powerful foe and Astra was ready for another round of eye spy. I was still in bad shape from my last battle with them and so kept myself to organising the men and lead from the back for once. I dislike it but it beats dying. Vectis, Orthesian and Dash kit all lead assaults to repel the boarders and handled themselves admirably. even as we drove them off it seemed the curse of teh place was catching up with us, the augers giving continued false readings and carrion raiders on our tail we made for a hasty retreat back through teh portal. We managed to lead the carrion into a conflict with the Hollowmen but Torque misjudged an asteroid field and a glancing blow left the ship as close to crippled as I have seen her since I dug her up and it is not a sight I wish to see again.
We limped through the portal, noticing that several of our rivals, though I couldn't say who were making their way to the nexus. Desperately needing repairs we assessed our options and settled on Dis.
Dis
I had feared that the funeral world of Dis would be dull and leave the near mutinous crew ready to take up arms against me but it turns out they will cater to any funeral needs at all and so I combined the crews need for shore leave with funerals for those who have died in my service. There is an interesting custom on Dis of having ritual duels at funeral parties and if 'your' duellist wins their fight you get to keep the warrior. Alas mine lost and so I consoled myself by purchasing one of their fine duelling blades.
When we docked it turned out that four other Rogue Traders were in port and I had some trouble getting our repairs started as despite the fact it was obvious they had plenty of space to start I was fobbed off with tales of them being used by the illustrious Harlocks. The brothers were indeed in port and I dined with both. A most delightful few days of parties in fact. I must say I have not enjoyed such pleasurable company with a navigator before.
We managed to sell the probe to Ryanheart for a tidy profit and the location of the temple on Cappa-Psi-12 to Heronimus meaning we've regained the liquidity we had before starting off on this adventure. Every bit of booty from here on out is pure profit.
With the length of time it took us to get the repairs done we spent almost two months at Dis and I am now most eager to press on as we have surely lost time in the race.
Vaporous
A surprisingly dull affair. We arrived in system to find no real resistance. The locals ignored us and we them, though I am sure there is profit to be made from selling the 'holy' water to be found on the planet I felt it prudent to be on our way as quickly as possible as we have wasted too much time in dock being repair as t is. Speed is of the essence right now.
The co-ordinates were to be found at the summit of a dry mountain and the climb as hellish. Perhaps the most interesting thing we encountered was some animate rock like creatures that seemed to defy all logical sense. I imagine there may be some profit in selling such things as pets of fighting beasts. We stayed a little too long indulging Lupus's curiosity and two of them attacked us. Much of the crew were caught spell bound by fear. Three metres of rock charging you at speed is a frightful thing but I have faced Orks in battle and not felt such terror grip me. By the time I and those others who had been taken by the terror came to the battle was won and Lupus insisted on bring some of the rock creature with us for study. Still another set of co-ordinates under our belts.
An unsettled start system
Reasoning that if we found ourselves damaged we could at least hope to find dock for repairs at Dros we settled on the point in space in an unsettled star system as our next destination. The trip was once again gut wrenching but otherwise uneventful. We arrived at the same time as Blitz and preferring not to blow each other to tiny pieces we settled on a deal. Our navigators would take landers to the structure floating in space, acquire the co-ordinates and do so alone. Blitz was good for his word and we both came away with what we were here for without blood shed.
The real adventure however began only after that had occurred. We were making ready to leave when a hulking vessel come into view, rising out of the rings of the planet were were closest to. Turns out it was the Light of Terra, a mighty vessel long thought lost to teh warp and it is rumoured that it's Lord Capitan would never die until the vessel was destroyed. What is more it's cargo hold is said to have been full of treasures when it was lost. Blitz hailed us with a witty quip about seeing us on the bridge and well how could I resist, we pulled the Cleansing Light up as close to the Light of Terra as we dared and then took a lander over to board the ship and make our way to the Bridge to meet Blitz and whatever might await us on board.
We made our way to the Bridge and found it's Lord-Captain, a man it is said will only die when the Light of Terra is destroyed. He was encased within a command throne and appeared to be dead were it not for the fact that he spoke to us via the ships internal vox. His offer was simple and lucrative. He would open the treasure vaults for us if we would make the necessary repairs to allow the vessel one last voyage to the edge of the void so that it could go down in a blaze of glory. I of course agreed and when moments later Blitz arrived on the Bridge, accompanied by a rather fetching if dangerous looking woman whom I believe is his Master-at-arms, we agreed to aid each other for a split of the booty.
We also discovered the descendants of the crew. As we made our way to the engine room we found one 'tribe' whom it seemed were descendant from the technomats, drivemasters and other such crew. They were awed by Orthesian's knowledge of the rites of maintenance and we were able to go about our business with little interference and even got some valuable information out of them.
We split up to cover more ground and while I duelled with a warrior tribe most likely descended from the ships marines, suffering a wound that took me out of the interesting proceedings afterwards, Astra and Lupus discovered the only tribe that believed in the universe outside of the ship. We agreed to take them with us as we could use the extra crew to replace our losses. I went and over saw the transfer while Orthesian leader a party to deal with the last of the repairs.
The ship ready the Lord-Captain was true to his word and opened the treasure hold. There was only a short while to grab what we could however before the Light of Terra entered the sea of souls. From what I've seen what was taken was impressive but the thing that will bring us wealth is the history of the Light of Terra, which I'm sure I can sell to BattleFleet Koronus.
Dros
The pointy eared bastards do love their witch storms. The whole of Dros is covered in a terrible storm. That in fact doesn't do it justice for the storm reach right out to it's moons. How such a thing is possible I couldn't say but it gives me the creeps, not to mention the last time we landed on a planet with similar storms Torque crashed us and we lost the Lander. And these storms are far worse.
Well we landed alright. The planet is covered in wrecks. We looted some booty, some fancy rifle and a case load of grenades to go with it was probably the choicest find. After a while we encountered the locals. Gorbaz gave them a scare but shortly after we ran into a large group of them, along with Lyn. She was all smug about the fact that she knew what they wanted and we didn't. Still a bit of negotiating later and we had agreed to help the leader of the tribe bring some other natives under her sway.
These other natives however proved more difficult to deal with than I anticipated. They wouldn't listen to reason and I couldn't bully them into surrendering so we ended up storming their hovel-fortress. We got shot up pretty badly but in the end we prevailed. Astra landed the killing blow on their king and in doing so won his wife and concubines by right of conquest. The look on her face was priceless. I told her she could drape them over my command thrown if she liked but she didn't seem too keen on the idea.
Job done we managed to gain the final set of co-ordinates for the Dread Pearl. Turn out they're co-ordinates in time and space meaning all this rushing about has been for nothing, even if we'd been last to every set of co-ordinates we'd still get their at the same time. Oh well, best try and arrange some alliances so the Cleansing Light doesn't get blown to pieces when we arrive.
The Dread Pearl
It seems that we arrived first. I guess there is some margin for error in the time part of the co-ordinates. We could see the terrible warp storm that has kept anyone from pillaging the Dread Pearl. It was awe inspiring, beautiful in it's destructive power. Waiting for us was an Eldar vessel which hailed us wishing to speak. We took a lander across to the ship and spoke very briefly with their representatives. They warned us that only death awaits us on the surface and asked us to turn back. They wouldn't offer us anything to do so and I wasn't about to come all this way for nothing. With that they left. Moments later the augers picked up numerous vessels exiting warp. Fearing an Eldar fleet had arrived to destroy us we plunged into the narrow opening in the warp storm. The trip was harrowing. Ghost ships trying to ram us and tentacles of fel warp beasts trying to smash us to pieces. However with peerless skill Crimson guided the Cleansing Light through and on the other side we got the first real glimpse of the prize. A paradise world like no other. Perfect in every way. The Dread Pearl.
We placed the Cleansing Light in a polar orbit and had her running silent under the empyrean mantle so as to avoid any hostile action from others that might arrive. Our Auger sweeps of the planet showed hundreds of small island with the strange bone-like structure the Eldar are so fond of. We decided to land near on of the larger ones.
Once we landed the perfection of the world struck me like a right hook from an ork. The way the sea met the beach we had chosen for our landing sight, the feeling of the sand and the colour of the water. Everything was just… perfect. No other word could be used to describe it. We started in towards the centre of the Island where the structure we hand scanned was located.
Duty calls
I've been waiting for the day I'd have to honour the inconvenient clause of my warrant and today it came. It seems the foundling world, a cursed backwater of little value to anyone is under attack by a foul xenos foe and the battlefleet doesn't have the man power to stop it. I had the Light the the Bounty report for duty as my conscience demands. Commodore Locke has assigned me and the crew to defending starcluster Gamma-Psi-12. I must note that she cuts a fine figure of a woman and under different circumstances I'd have liked to engage in small talk but we have made haste to our post so that we my have a long as possible to assess the situation.
Gamma-Psi-12
It has been very hectic fighting a war. We never know when the Rak'gol will attack, and sometimes they switch targets. A lot of people have died. too many. below I have detailed everything we have learnt about each of the planetary systems we have been protecting. I've poorer a considerable amount of our funds into fight this war but in doing so I have established considerable holdings in many of the systems. If we survive our wealth will be considerable if tied to a cursed sector fo teh expanse.
Yamma Gatta
The most populous world, with investors from the Machenko Dynasty, The Skaelen-Har Hegemony and other major players in the Calaxis sector. It's taken teh brunt of amny attacks and can't hope to hold out much longer. Still I have an oppurtunity to gain favour with Aoife Armegrade by setting up a hostile buy out when all this is over.
Vern
A small colony world. Only real value in the ancient xenos aurger that teh settlements have been built around.
Sedov
Colony planet populated by a disgraced noble family. we've had to evacuate it
Karaks
Two factions the cult mechanicus and a faction of the Inquisition are fighting over the Xenos aurger on the planet. Nothing else of interest. With the Help of the Demirgue we hoped to bring the planet under the control of the Inquisition but the squats went berserk when they saw them. Killed them all. In the end we sided with the Cult of Sollex.
Seevah
A pleasure world that belonged to a retired Rogue Trader. Also home to an ancient Aurger. We have claimed teh planet as our own though Ruby, the seneschal that has been running the place since it's previous owner died distracted me in our negotiations with her exquisite form and so I agreed unwisely to her condition of her family line taking control when the planet becomes fully integrated with the imperium. Still, even then I'll no doubt have substantial stakes in the place.
Rhiber
Prison planet. We conscripted many of them as Penal Legions.
Deepholm
Mining world populated by the Demiurge, a breed of abhuman that has a deal with the mechanicus.
Orthos
Digsite
Deadworld with ancient xenos ruins
Ven's world
Hive world ruled by a powerful xenophile.
Carashis Landing
Temple
Mechanicus exploration to uncover the secrets of teh digsite.
Parthas
Argi-world. Water. Lots of fish and kelp.
Unknown
Pirate base
Unknown
Hidden base of Rogue psykers.
Gamma-psi-45
Crash site of the Grace of Macragg
Roughneck
Feral world populated by giant carnadons. Rogue Trader plunders it for meat. Also home of Eldar savages.
Voice of Exaltation
Shrine world.
Infernis
Mining world. Very dangerous to live there but very valuable ore.
The last Kiss at dusk between two parting lovers who will never meet again
We had a plan to get the vermin Ven to help us. It went fine up until Kiss threatened to kill me. Why do so many women do that? I guess they get intimidated by my magnificence and lash out in the only way they know how. The whole thing was quite the experience though. I've never been so personal with a Xeno before and she certainly knows her way around the bedroom.
We needed to free Ven from the machinations of some Eldar corsairs and so we hatched a plan to split them up. I distracted Kiss while the rest of the Bridge crew ambushed her companion. When she learnt he was dead I was unarmed and at her mercy. I had little choice but to accept her offer and take her with me when we left planet. Still it might not be all bad, she after all really rather skilled.
Braking the siege
We found the Rak'gol staging post and gathered our forces including three God-Machines. By the Emperor they are impressive. The warp journey was nightmarish but paled in comparison to the resistance we faced. I took command from Temples monitor cruiser and while my bold action quite likely won us the day the bridge of the vessel was blown out and exposed to the void I almost died. As the breath was sucked from my lungs I was struck by a vision sent by the Omnissiah. I now appreciate the weakness of my flesh and shall seek to replace it.
We lost the Monitor cruiser and one Sword from triumph squadron. Heavy losses but we did make it to the surface.
The Surface war was long, grim and soul destroying. It was only through the awe inspiring example of the God-Machines that I felt able to carry on leading my troops in the assault. We pushed forward and took one of the outer bases first and launched a few smaller raids from there, all the while fighting a constant air battle. Flight Marshal Torque is to be commended for his skill and bravery. Once we had that position we decided to go all out and attack their main base hoping to cut out their command structure and so end thing swiftly.
We were successful but at a hidden cost. We destroyed a piece of Xenos technology that Magos Nysion wanted. If he'd told us about it it wouldn't have happened but it seems something bigger is at stake here and we just lost a piece of the puzzle.
After party
We survived! I mean of course we did but well for a moment there I wasn't sure we would. In celebration we threw a party or two. I invited Armegarde and over drinks got her to agree to investing in our rebuild of Yamma Gatta.
I also got the pirate to sign on board with the Dynasty as privateers. I had to pay through the nose but they signed on. Looks like I'm destined to die fighting Inequity. I mean no one has ever gone up against them and lived. Still it'll be a tale worth telling for centuries to come. I don't intend to go down easy.
Footfall
We arrived back in Footfall to collect out payment from the Inquisition. On route I had Kiss train the dancing girls that Feckward gave me. Only three survived the process but I do now have some highly trained courtesan-killers. Anyway I'm getting side tracked. Kiss came along with me to the meeting and things turned ugly from there.
As we arrived there was an explosion. Seems Lynn had heard about Kiss and by the Cog she was pissed. Blew out the back wall of the house we were meeting in and as she did so Lieutenant Rush who had been assigned to me along with Captain Rack. A watcher from the big I to keep tabs on me. Something I'll have to deal with later. Rush made short work of Kiss, so I chopped her head of a tossed it to Lynn. It's what she wanted after all. Well perhaps it wasn't as she set about me with extreme prejudice. I didn't want to mar her pretty face and so went on the defensive hoping she would calm down and stop. Alas she didn't and so I took a gamble. I'm good at those when they count. I let her run me threw but made sure she missed everything vital. With that she left and holding my guts in I got down to business.
Knowing the location of a number of wrecked voidships we arranged for a warp-tug to be loaned to us in exchange for a courier mission. We have to take three Astartes to Illisk. This should be interesting.
+++Undread Undread Teef
Bloody Cog forsaken Orks! We drop out of warp to do a routine calculation and hunk of junk attacks us. We fight it of but it was much closer than I'd have liked.
+++Illisk
Bumpy landing
Unleashing Tech daemon
Striking a Deal
Darkspire. Duel with Queen of Eyes.
Collect Grace of Macragg Get lost of route to Temple to have it fixed.
Meet Solomon Haarlock. Get set Quest to stop Black Crusade.
Go to Yamma Gatta
Get Light of Destiny. The Guests.
End up in the Calaxis Sector
Get very basics sorted for the Destiny.
Go to Quaddis as it is closest location we need to visit that we know about for Crusade.
Carnival of the Thirteen Masks
Parties. Spider Bride. Genestealer vs Gorbash.
