Timestamp: 6.849.997.M41

Location: Acreage system, Josian Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Somewhere deep inside the space hulk 'Twilight of Acheron'

Body: The boarding team consists of Interrogator Castilas (leader), Haxtes (scout), Jebediah (muscle), Parsifal (muscle), and Venus (tech-support). Azhmut remains aboard the Maiden in his new role as Chief Enginseer - seeing as he's the only mechanically incluined genuine Mars-loving tech-priest aboard and all that. Maxi has been left behind on the planetray surface - on Haxtes orders. Keep an eye on things, make sure whatever is out there doesn't eat all the citizens (becomes a moot point if the hulk impacts).

Venus has worked with the Maiden to come up with a good entry point and decent guestimate of where you must go and how long it will take you - from the time you dock you have exactly 15 hours before you must depart the hulk. Venus estimates at least 8 hours to reach the signal, maybe more, but the return trip should be much faster (unless you must take another route). She's running complex algorithms that calculate the point of no return - the point where you must turn back or go down with the hulk.

A shuttle takes you across - the Maiden is just a tiny speck against the immense bulk of the Twilight - and a boarding rig allows you entry. You spend some time suited up and in null-gee before finding a pressurized and gravitized section of the hulk. You see and experience many strange things. All these ships pushed together into what is essentially a small planetoid. Many are recognizable as Imperial vessels. Others are less easily categorized. Some are clearly not of human manufacture. At times gravity fades or you walk across ceilings and walls, as if they were floors. Everything is dark, silent and cold.  Your breath frosts as you exhale. You have all heard tales of what dangers lurk aboard such hulks...but this one seems more like a tomb than a monstrous menagerie. It would appear that you are utterly alone here...

Haxtes is up front when he sees it. Movement in a side passage. He gathers the shadows around his person and pursues. He arrives in a small chamber. The cold becomes acute, even through the insulation of the xeno-mesh suit. A small girl, silent and pale is standing there. Watching Haxtes. Haxtes can feel every hair on his body rise and a cold sensation playing up and down his spine. Psychics! The girl points back the way Haxtes came and for some reason he chances a glance. Nothing. When he turns back the girl is gone and the cold is fading.

Haxtes starts to double back when he senses something else. A something lurking just out of sight, hiding in the corner of the eye, just outside your field of vision. Almost like Haxtes himself in fact. Haxtes strains to perceive it until finally the shadows of the Empyrean shifts and he senses a vaguely feline shape. Not liking cats much of late he lets loose with the trusted bolt-pistol. Despite being more of the other world than this the shape is blown apart by Mechanicus-blessed explosive bolts.

Up ahead gunfire erupts. The others, warned by Haxtes shots, have barely managed to survive an ambush. Jebediah is down, screaming his lungs out as poison rips through his body. The other would not know, but Haxtes recognizes the distinctive sound of a splinter pistol firing suppressive bursts. Eldar renegades aboard this hulk, or someone like Haxtes who just carry their corrupt xenos weapons? The team is pinned down. Haxtes takes the little girl's hand and follows her down the corridor and away from the fighting...

Timestamp: 6.847.997.M41

Location: Acreage system, Josian Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Approaching the space hulk 'Twilight of Acheron'

Body: Hours later you are all back aboard the Maiden of Golgenna. She's made the trip back to Acreage and is now boosting away again - heading straight for the great black bulk of the space hulk 'Twilight of Acheron'. You've got some of the money (plus an eight woman orchestra) promised by the Prince, but not all. Not by a long shot. You might never see the money at all, because in less than 24 hours the hulk with smash into the surface of Acregae and not only kill everyone, but trigger massive cataclysms that will devastate the entire surface of the world.

So why aren't you calling it quits and moving on? Not because you think you can save the world, because you can't - there is no way you could deflect the hulk in any meaningful way. You're not Space Marines or anything. Not bloody Dark Angels terminators with melta mega-warheads to blow it apart from the inside. No, you're heading towards the hulk because somewhere inside is a transmitter broadcasting the location of renowned Ordo Malleus Inquisitor Adorjin. She's one of the most famous smiters of evil Calixis ever had - so famous that her name is remembered even through she's been lost for over six hundred years. Lost while carrying the force sword 'Luminous Reproach'. A blade blessed by Saint Sebastian Thor himself. Perhaps the only weapon to have received such a blessing from a man who loathed weapons as much as he loved the Emperor and humanity.

So it figures you have to go have a look before everything crashes and burns...might even score you some points with the Malleus. Emperor knows you could need some of those...

Timestamp: 6.845.997.M41

Location: Acreage, Josian Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: The proverbial hi-ex shell just hit the equally proverbial foxhole

Body: And after that things started moving really quickly. Haxtes was having a short rest when the Maiden informed those planetside of two things. One; the pretenders Queens were readying two large infantry armies for what could only be a major assault on Orlankan. Two; Castilas and Jebediah headed down in the other shuttle earlier in the day, making for Emperor's Island - to more fully investigate the leads you have on Aristarchus.

Its late in the evening before Haxtes gets going again. First he has a chat with Castilas. He has hit gold on the first try. After chatting a bit with the Port Wardens and the officials over at the Imperial Port Authority they headed back to the shuttle, only to come under attack by some local goons. They were well armed, well trained, and highly motivated - they were DYING to get off the planet. They spared the leader, one Mr. Krass - Jebediah shot out his knees so he wasn't going anywhere, so they decided to invite him to a little interrogation session. Haxtes would like to go himself, but can't find the time. It later turns out the man - and his cronies - is genuine Serrated Query! Unfortunately he's too well conditioned to get to talk in so short a time, there is something odd about him - he really really afraid, and not of the interrogator or for his lost soul. He's afraid some something else and trying to run away from it. But you do not know that then. That information becomes available only after the Night of Fire is over.

Haxtes gets in touch with the First Minister again. Despite a very nice demonstration aboard a boat and Maxi's little gathering of gun-loving peers there has been no development thus far. The orbital pics of enemy armies - perhaps 50.000 men - mustering not in the distance, but on the same damned island Orlankan is on, prompts a quick response. You finally get to meet with Prince Orcan XIII. He's young and arrogant, as expected, but not terminally stupid. There is a fancy meal and an even more fancy concert by eight lovely young women. And then the contract is agreed to.  Five thousand stub rifles and ammo. As well as some basic training - that will be Maxi's job. The first 5.000 guns are brought down from orbit (to be paid for in gold and jewels, as donated by the rich of the city). The 10.000 remaining guns are made ready for sale to whomever will be offering to pay the most. Perhaps an orbital strike or two can be sold to the highest bidder...

By nightfall, however, the situation has changed radically. The Maiden has left orbit to investigate a massive warp footprint that the auspex arrays has picked up. Something truly massive has entered the system and is heading for Acreage. Then the guns start firing. Not the locally produced mortars, but Imperial issue artillery rounds. It seems that Orlankan isn't the only importer of guns!

Timestamp: 6.843.997.M41

Location: Acreage, Josian Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Looking for clues in Orlankan

Body: Compared to the stately march of days during warp transit things happen very quickly once you're on the ground. Within the span of only six days Terran standard (five local) you have entered orbit, put a team down on Emperor's Island, successfully passed through the blockade around the city of Orlankan, made contact with a variety of locals (including the First Minister of Orlankan and Bishop Atellus of the Ministorum), tried to hawk some of the guns Jax got hold of on Iochantos, tried to learn something about Aristarchus, and generally snooped around a but.

The gun sale seemed promising early on, but the First Minister never got back to you. Bishop Atellus was somewhat more of a success - he confided that Aristarchus had indeed spent some time here at court in Ascandia, serving as a seer to the late High King (the father of the pretender Queens). Some years ago he was banished from the city for 'reasons unknown', although Atellus suspects that it had to do with his divinations suddenly turning both inaccurate and sour. He stayed for a while in Orlankan, where his divinations seemed quite clear and benign, before eventually taking a ship to Emperor's Island. Atellus doesn't know what happened after that. So you're no closer to determining that nature of the tampered Tarot card - except that you might imagine that something may have happened in Ascandia and/or Orlankan.

Completely unrelated to you mission(s); Orlankan is feeling the effects of the siege of late. Mostly because of the actions of the treasonous Baroness Falathris and her fleet elements. Where once Orlankan had more or less free access to the oceans it is now besieged from both land AND sea. So there is a shortage of food (but not yet all that acute) and the threat of pestilence is there. Yet there is also something else striking fear in the hearts of the city's inhabitants - some force or entity that stalks in the night and breaks into houses, slaughtering all within...and leaving no traces behind.

Those that take away the dead and prepare them for burial are kept very busy...Maxi even has a chat with two of them, one Mr. Smeed and his assistant Moot. They explain that the situation is even worse than that - for the traditional burial sites are out beyond the city's walls, among the great sky-mills covering the north-eastern part of the Island. The two doesn't strike Maxi as very brave, but yet the venture out beyond the walls with the dead every day...lest they become a threat to the health of the city.

Haxtes also investigates a bit. On the second night he hits paydirt - a trio of great cats, clearly xenos beast not from this world - acting in concert and displaying quite a bit of intellect. Abominations. Haxtes kills one and injures a second. The third one flees. Haxtes tracks the injured over the walls and towards the sky-mills - only to be ambushed by the uninjured cat that had previously 'fled'. They are clearly 'intelligent' and can communicate. They are also quite deadly. Haxtes barely manages to kill the beast, and is seriously injured in the process.

What IS going on here?

Timestamp: 6.825.997.M41

Location: Acreage, Josian Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Rogue Trader vessel Maiden of Golgenna arrives in the Acreage system

Body: The trip from Iochantos to Acreage follows a slow but steady warp current, taking eighty days real and twenty-six days perceived for the Maiden, well within ordinary parameters. It is a route rarely taken by traders, both because Acreage has preciously little to offer and because its situated far from any major trade lanes or interesting systems. It is listed as a feudal world, but is somewhat more technologically advanced that what you would normally associate with a world bearing that classification. Acreage sports gunpowder weapons and is on its way towards a beginning  local industrial revolution (OOC: It's fairly similar to 18th century Europe). This technological 'revolution' is relatively new - it was initiated only two generations ago by High King Grayconnor of Ascandia (also the Imperial Governor of Acreage) and later even more vigorously pursued by his son High King Gordanus.

Less than a century ago the situation was quite different - the technological base was on a knights-and-castles level and feudal lords held far more power than they do today. The High Kings of Ascandia surely intended to use this introduction of technology to gain the upper hand against the other kings and princes of Acreage, but in this they were only partially successful. As it were there were several larger realms that managed to keep up with the advances in technology, both in terms of per-industral production and military science. This must have come as a surprise to the High Kings, for by ancient decree all contact with the outside galaxy is strictly regulated. It is physically limited to two landing zones, one located within the premises of the Royal Palace (more like a small city within the capital) of Ascandia , and thus completely under the thumb of the High Kings. Special licenses are required  to purchase or possess 'items or knowledge of off-world origin'.

The other site is the artificial floating island known as the Emperor's Island - the only part of the planet that doesn't fall under the purview of the Governors. Emperor's Island is situated just offshore from the City-State of Orlankan, the City-by-the-Sorrows. Small in area Orlankan was able to prosper through illicit trade with the outside galaxy through Emperor's Island - and they readily exported what they gained to the other kings and princes. This did not sit well with the High Kings of course, but the Princes of Orlankan were cunning; they kept only within the limits of technology that the High Kings themselves had declared 'to be of Acreage, and not of the Imperium'. So the High Kings could complain, but not really do anything...

In 991.M41 Gordanus High King of Ascandia died, leaving two twin daughters - Rhozena and Rhozeia - as contenders for the throne. The King had not planned on dying so soon, for there was no will, and the line of succession was unclear. Both daughters turned to their supporters and made a bid for the throne. The result was predictable - civil war. Both 'Queens' also petitioned the Imperium for confirmation of their status as High Queen, but the Imperium has yet to make an official ruling.And so the war continues...with each side trying to gain the upper hand. And each side sending a full tithe to the Imperium...an impossible task were it not for the increased production capacity brought about by the technological advances made during the last few decades. But the current situation cannot last forever...

---

This is Parsifal's homeworld. Ten years ago, when Gordanus was still King, Parsifal was a young squire in the Order of the Eagle, a valiant and honorable order of templar knights. Acreage was at the time still home to a number of such religious orders. Orders that were both wealthy and had significant military potential. A bad fit for the new age ushered in by the High Kings. So the Order was declared heretical and the King's army fell upon it in a gruesome and cowardly assault. The templars were killed or dragged for to mock trials. The lands and treasures of the Order were seized. One a few managed to escape - such as Parsifal, who found is way to Orlankan and then to Emperor's Island, where he was found by Globus...

Timestamp: 7.585.997.M41

Location: Stern Hope, Iochantos, Golgenna Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Xerza and Globus finally arrives

Body: Weeks later Mistress Xerza and Globus arrive on Iochantos. You don't see him much as he ficuses on Port Suffering, leaving the Stern Hope investigation to Mistress Xerza. She has held of relaying the information to the Ordo Malleus, to 'better ascertain the situation on the ground', but sooner or later they are going to come here and start asking questions. Many questions. The Aristarchus/Drusus will have to be investigated, as will the 'Crow Father' incident. If a daemonic entity was really trying to manifest in Stern Hope it must have been frighteningly dangerous to give rise to such turbulence in the Immaterium. And although claims of being Drusus reborn are common enough (the Tricorn has a special group working solely with matters such as this) the circumstances surrounding this particular incident are pretty unusual. Whatever his nature Aristarchus/Drusus will be taken in for...interrogation...most likely never to be seen again. That is, unless the Ministorum gets to him first. That could change the equation - for good or bad.

Xerza doesn't want her agents tied up in endless layers of protocol and needless questioning sessions. She will remain in Stern Hope and answer the Malleus - as is her right as an Inquisitor (by proxy). Globus get will do the same - they will go along with you aboard the Maiden (it's still Globus' operation and Castilas is in charge, with Haxtes as liaison). Xerza bids you take the Maiden and proceed to the feudal world of Acreage - located coreward in the Josian Reach sub-sector - the being Aristarchus' last known operation before coming to Iochantos.

You are to learn as much about Aristarchus' and his work as possible - including trying to figure out how the sole surviving card from his Tarot - the Magus - came into his possession. It's not every day you see a Tarot card containing Adranti heretek! Yes, once more Adranti technology surfaces. The only confirmed users you know of are the Serrated Query. You already suspect that they may be involved in Ghostfire Pollen smuggling operations on Iochantos - could they also be present on Acreage? If  so, how does this all related to Aristarchus, Dusus, and the Crow Father? You have no answers, only many many questions.

---

One other item of significance; Xerza confides in the Acolytes present that Inquisitor Tancred is not present in Calixis anymore. He left the sector 'years ago' and Xerza has no idea when or even if he will return. She IS his proxy, and could continue operations indefinitely. But you have never really been in the presence of your Inquisitor - the hazy memories you have of the session where he projected through Xerza was just a fake one made by the Mistress. She does not say WHY he left, but you get an impression that it was quite important to him. She also confides that Tancred left her with extensive directives, mostly based on his many and accurate divinations - divinations that are rapidly losing their accuracy, leaving Xerza to try and figure out a way forward on her own (she calls herself 'a skilled diviner, but nowhere near Tancred's level'). She does know one thing - that your fates have somehow become intertwined.

She even offers Haxtes the opportunity to leave Tancred's  service, but somehow it has lost its appeal...

...during our last live session we actually rolled some dice and calculated damage :-)

I suppose it worked well enough - we learned that small puny assassins that get jumped by big cats are in trouble. We also learned that autofiring splinter weapons with toxic ammo are quite deadly (or paralytic) - but fortunately a little less so if you have the antidote already administered.

The real problem as I see it is how Wounds work as a buffer. As long as you have them you're basically OK, but one you run out even a relatively weak attack can cripple or kill you.

In Haxtes' case he lost a lot of wounds to the cat, but never enough to take any real injuries (i.e. was Heavily Wounded, but he had Wounds left, so no critical damage). But once he came aboard the hulk and people started shooting at him he was even mortal peril with each an every shot. And these were just 1d10+3 shots vs. DR 6.

We need a mechanism that simple and elegant, but that doesn't mean you're more or less auto-dead once you're out of Wounds. It just doesn't make any sense the way it works now - it's  like a scaled-down version of DnD, just without any of the benefits of simplicity.

So I'm looking over at RuneQuest2 again (did the same for the skill system revision - it's one of the few good new d100 systems available). RQ2 has a Wound (or hit points) total, but also has Wounds divided by hit location where to sum of the body parts is greater than total Wounds. As long as a body part has wounds you're OK (light wound), but as soon as you go into the negative you're penalized (heavy wound), and if you get far enough into the negative you're crippled or dying (critical wound). The subtle difference with this system is that you can take an injury to one bdoy part during one attack, and still have wounds left elsewhere.

Had we been using this system Haxtes would have had his arm ravaged by the cat, losing function with the arm (and presumably received some medicae attention afterwards). But he'd still have wounds left, so that when the Dark Eldar started firing at him he arm would have been somewhat vulnerable, but he'd be more or less OK overall (well, maybe no OK, but a bit better).

Timestamp: 7.493.997.M41

Location: Stern Hope, Iochantos, Golgenna Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Trying to wrap things up - including figuring out what the hell actually happened...

Body: Last night was damned confusing, but now the sun shines once more. The Shale Crows are gone, and through many acts of madness were committed during the night the people of Stern Hope have pulled through...and Seth still stays his hand. Evil seems to have been undone.

But you can't be entirely sure. Haxtes sensed something, but it was all over so fast. Was Preacher Skae really a host for...something nameless? Or did he direct the Choir in some heretical rite aimed at only the Emperor knows what? It would seem so, but you can never be sure.

The only things you can be sure about is that Stern Hope survived. The Cathedral still stands, and perhaps some other visionary will complete it and finally sanctify it in the Emperor's name. Perhaps Seth - that would be twisted and poetic at the same time. Perhaps someone else. You cannot dictate the Ministorium in this. But there is definitely hope - Esha Raine lives and so does Kos'ke. If they can continue to find common ground with Seth's zealots then perhaps...

Be that as it may. There is another development. Aristarchus is alive and well. Only he's claiming not to be Aristarchus, but Drusus, Lord Militant Angevin's foremost general, living saint, founder and first Governor of Calixis Sector! He has come to once again cast the Crow Father back into the abyss from whence he came...only the Inquisition beat him to it. So now he is here, in Aristarchus' body, seemingly alive and well. If true it will shake the foundations of Calixis Sector. If untrue it could still cause massive amounts of trouble...

What a mess, what a mess...

Once I've finsihed the summaries of the PnP adventures (almost done with the first of two) we'll be joined by two more players. They won't be participating PnP of course, only on the web. Both are very dedicated and skilled role-players and long-time fans of Birthright (they are both old RoE players).

So say hello to:

Matt - Who will be playing Parsifal, a pious warrior from the world of Acregae.

Thorsten - Who will be playing Jebediah, a not-so-pious warrior from Iochantos.

I think you know them both already...

This is a short timed summary of events; let me know if I've forgotten anything.

Day 1 - Maiden exits the warp and enters orbit around Iochantos. Castilas and his team take a shuttle to Port Suffering and meet Aristarchus. Haxtes comes along on the shuttle to start looking for Ghostfire Pollen.
Day 2 - Aristarchus and Castilas' team head north to Stern Hope. Haxtes makes arrangements for a Ghostfire trade.
Day 3 - Aristarchus arrives in Stern Hope late this day. Haxtes persuades the Vice-Consul to hand over the Thrones needed for the Ghostfire trade.
Day 4 - Castilas' men starts investigating in Stern Hope. Aristarchus tries to convince Preacher Skae that a miracle will take place. Esha Raine leaves in anger after trying to warn Skae about Aristarchus not being what he seems. Skae is attacked by a malign spirit and nearly killed. He has a vision of Saint Drusus - Skae becomes convinced that Aristarchus is right. Haxtes gets his pollen and returns to the Maiden.
Day 5 - Castilas' team leave Stern Hope to find Esha Raine's lodge and bring her to justice. Venus is revived with the help of Azhmut and the Maiden. The Navigator Erasmus divines that all is not well in Stern Hope. Haxtes heads back to Port Suffering, hires a rotorcraft and flies north to Stern Hope.
Day 6 - Haxtes travels to the Lodge of Esha Raine. A sandstorm sweeps in from the badlands to the south. The initial Voicer assault on Stern Hope is repelled.
Day 7 - Haxtes interrogates a prisoner. Azhmut arrives with supplies etc. Kos'ke and his army arrives. Tribunal of Esha Raine. Kos'ke, Esha Raine and Speaker Skae pledge friendship.
Day 8 - Investigations continue. Preparations for sanctification of the Chadredal commences. Maiden remains in low orbit to watch and protect. Seth the Voice approaches Stern Hope with his multitude of warriors. Maiden fires demi-lances to discourage Seth's warriors, but to little effect. Haxtes infiltrates his camp.
Day 9 - Seth issues ultimatum; leave Stern Hope or burn along with it. Haxtes confronts Seth who agrees to listen. He reluctantly agrees to postpone the attack and let the Inqusition deal with the matter. That very night Preacher Skae is eliminated as he tries to summon something/has been possessed. Aristarchus becomes host to the reborn spirit of Saint Drusus (or so he claims). Karen the psyker disappears.
Day 10 - Aftermath

Timestamp: 7.487.997.M41

Location: Stern Hope, Iochantos, Golgenna Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Trying to untangle the mystery of Stern Hope

Body: Meanwhile Azhmut arrives from orbit - the storm has abated - and sets upon repairing the damaged generators of Shattered Hope. Additional supplies and weapons come down with him. The poor Interrogator Castilas - who so hurt his head during the return from the Lodge - is evacuated. Maxi and Brother Lanmark - Preacher Skae's right-hand man - sees to the defense of Stern Hope. A militia is formed - turns out the locals are quite well-armed in terms of stub rifles and light sidearms.

Further complications arrive later that day. In the form of Warlord Kos'ke and his merry band. All of several thousand fierce warriors. They have learned of Esha Raine's fate and have come to free her - or avenge her if need be. Bluffs or threats won't work. Kos'ke is nothing if not perceptive and to threaten would be the same as to attack him...such is his character.

There is only one path that will avid disaster. Diplomacy and peaceful compromise. Once again Haxtes senses serves him well and his chameleon personality changes to suite the occasion...an Inquisitional Tribunal is called. Esha Raine will be tried for her acts against agents of the Throne. Parsifal will speak her case - he too has become convinced of her innocence and pleads that she did what she did out of necessity and in service of the Throne. Maximilian argues for the Throne - rightly claiming that whatever the reason it is a treasonous offense to assault any Inquisition agent.

In the end Raine is found guilty of minor heresy and sentenced to work for the betterment of the Stern Hope community  for the next ten years, one day out of ten. She is acquitted of all the more serious charges - a vague precedent from the Horus Hersey is cited; that one might act against authority if that is the sole path that will lead the faithful to victory against the enemies of Mankind!

Next: A communal meal, Aristarchus speaks and Seth decides to make a call...

...I would protest the claim that the Ultramarines are the mightiest of them all...

http://ultramarinesthemovie.com/news/2010-08-23/first-trailer-released

Timestamp: 7.483.997.M41

Location: Stern Hope, Iochantos, Golgenna Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Looking for the missing Inquisitorial team

Body: Aboard the Maiden Navigator Erasmus E'tan contacts Maxi through his spokesman, Bondsman Kazim. He relates that the the omens are not good. For the ongoing mission in Stern Hope presumably. A check with the locals - by vox - partially confirms it. Castilas and his men went out into the mountains and they have not return as planned. But that might not mean anything - they are Inquisition agents after all.

Haxtes takes it upon himself to check it out. He manages to find a local bush pilot who has a working rotor-craft and who is willing to fly him out - for the right price. Despite worsening weather conditions and an unpleasant encounter with a swarm of eye-less, reptilian Shale Crows, Haxtes makes it to Stern Hope by nightfall. There are no missile or AAA attacks on the rotor-craft. It was a gamble, but it paid of. Haxtes has saved himself from two days on the dry and dusty road. Still...there is this sense...of not being wanted. Not something you can put your finger on...just a...feeling.

Stern Hope is little more than a huge shanty town-meets-refugee camp. Could there be twenty thousand people here? Or twice that? Impossible to judge. It's surrounded by a high and wide barrier made of local rock and dirt - not exactly a wall, but more like a tall mound running around the circumference. At the heart of the 'town' sits a great Gothic cathedral upon the apex of a hill, visible for miles and miles. It is the reason for Stern Hope's existence. Twenty years in the building. Now it is nearly complete.

Haxtes scouts out the Cathedral first - but it is dark and empty. Nobody home. of course. It has not been sanctified yet. Skulking about he finds a blocky stone structure hearby, as much bunker as house. It is the original Priory of Stern Hope. He heads inside...

Timestamp: 6.465.997.M41

Location: Port Suffering, Iochantos, Golgenna Reach, Calixis Sector

Situation: Searching for a way to revive Venus

Body: Port Suffering turns out to be every bit as bad as the name suggest. Hot. Dusty. Filthy. Crowded. Smelly. Full of vice and violence. Completely bereft of character and without a single good characteristic.

A largely characterless little village with a population in the low millions Port Suffering is the sole Imperial settlement on Iochantos. It serves one function, and one function only - to support the existence of the Counting House. It is here in this great Administratum building that Ghostfire Pollen is graded, weighed, and priced. And Ghostfire Pollen is the only substance of value on the entire world...the sole component of its tithe...and the means by which the warlords of Iochantos support themselves.

There is a centrally located spaceport. A small Administratum quarter. The Counting House itself. Support facilities for the Pollen trade and spaceport. A jumbled mix of decrepit housing blocks - and an even more extensive slum. All wrapped inside the confined space created by a tall curtain wall bristling with automated defenses.

Getting Ghostfire Pollen would not be easy - it is a restricted substance. You could try to flash the Rosette and demand some from the Adepts at the Counting House - and be turned away. The Ghostfire trade is regulated by decrees from the Lord Sector - and backed by the collective might of the Tricorn. No lowly Acolyte can overturn that.

So Haxtes settles on a compromise. He knows there must be a black market for the stuff. That's just the way the galaxy works. So he poses as an equerry for Theodosia and the Serrated Query. Through the judicious appliance of some ultra-violence the bluff goes through. Mr. Iacton will supply the stuff - for a price. Haxtes can wish all he wants, but no black marketeer will give up such valuable merchandise for free.

So a plan is devised to secure the funds. Brother Jax might be a Rogue Trade, but he's a dirt-poor one. No help there. Under-Consul Kerred Smyk, however, is willing to accept Haxtes Inquisitorial credentials. He would never hand over even an ounce of pollen...but he will part with a million and a half Thrones (the Haegum picks up the tab - Tancred's Chief Steward is going to have a fit). The purchase goes through and Haxtes gets his pollen.

Azhmut is sufficiently intrigued to not only turn a blind eye, but to actively aid. He brews up the Pollen to a very pure state - and hooks Venus into diagnostic equipment through which the Maiden can monitor her. It works. Venus recovers. There is some sporadic damage to her memory leading up to her being gassed, but in all it is a full - and miraculous - recovery. There is much rejoicing.

Haxtes asks the team too meet with him, with team in this case Haxtes calls :

Vern , Jarra, Odessa ,Silon, Ignace and Maxi

"Its time we get to work and we start tonight"

When the others get there Haxtes is ready to start