Encouraged by Ferro's warming attitude, Caradoc says, "I have no specific orders. I am merely to aid in the investigation of the terrible affliction of the nobility and the sinister artifacts that accompany their deaths." Caradoc's description of his assignment is overlain with an almost-palpable excitement at the prospect of adventure.

Turning to Astaroth, "That sounds like a good idea. If the need arises, I may drop my family name as well though I would prefer not to. The relationship between me and my family is a bit... strained."

Caradoc claps his hands together, "Well, shall we be off?"

-----

I used to play 40k when I was younger so I am familiar with the universe. I am completely new to Dark Heresy and roleplaying in general (I have read the rules of course). Consequently, I am still learning some of the more in-depth lore of the 40k universe and Dark Heresy's setting within it.

"We first have to take care of...this..." I hold up the box. "Shall we destroy it or hand it over to the custodians of our Ordo? I would prefer to do the later, even if it contradicts my insticts, those were our orders..."

I look with stern eyes in the round.

"Afterwards we can go and check out the domicile of Lans Guljian. Maybe some locals can give us additional information to optimize our entry...maybe his house trades certain goods..."

----

@ Frosty: Do we have a possible dropoff location for dangerous evidence?

@ Kylie: Well then welcome to the bright and funny world of DH ;p I guess you will have no problems with pbp-rpg as you are doing good so far ,)

You can bring the artifact to the Adeptus Arbites or arrange with your inquisitor, or some random other person from the inquisition, to have a foot trooper pick it up. Destroying it wont take much effort either, if you so choose to do so. Most of the nobles in Hive Desoleum, lower Apex in particular, will willingly talk to you guys whether you are obviously of the inquisition or not. All you need to do is tell me who you want to drop the artifact with and I'll NPC it away. Logically there should be a logistics chain in place to assist you in this component of your mission.

And yeah, it's relatively easy to do RPG's and PbP in general. WH40K roleplay games are actually surprisingly simple to play in, and despite the high lethality there is in fact a very soft learning curve. The only difficulty I ever see with this hobby is the power tripping GM, which is a sadly common phenomenon :/ I'll just say that it is a real shame that obeying the rules and insisting others do as well will earn you the derogatory term of "rules lawyer". It's probably worse for me since I am entering law enforcement, so rules and regulations are 100% of my life xD

Somewhat thoughtfully, the psyker remarks: "I think we should follow our, hemhem, orders to the letter. We are new and do not have our, mmm, superior's trust or any, hem, leeway from his part."

Then we contact a trustworthy person and give him the toolbox for delivery to an Ordo storage. Afterwards we go to the lower Apex and try to get some background information on Lans. I would propose we still try to keep a low profile and not out us as acolytes of his holy inquisition.

Shall I roll on scrutiny or do you want to give us some information on Lans without that?

That depends on if you want to head to Lans' estate and try to speak to him or his staff directly, or do you intend to speak to his neighbors? I'm going to need a very specific answer on that xD Some poop might hit a fan, depending on how things play out here.

Name : Mhos Homeworld : Forge World Background : Adeptus Mechanicus Role : Warrior

Age : 28 Gender : Male Height: High Nominal 1.85m/85kg Skin: Dark Hair: Rust Eyes: Brown

Quirk(s): ((Rolled 97)) Metallic Smell, Small Eyes

Memento: Home: Twisted Wire, Background: Twisted Metal Wrench

Belief: Waste Not: There is no such thing as unneeded materials; let nothing go to waste, and always seek to reuse and refurbish lest the spirits of the item become upset.

Divination : (rolled 82) Only In Death Does Duty End

Fate : 3 (8+ rolled 6): 3

Current Fate: 2

Wounds : 8+(1d5 rolled 5): 11

Aptitudes : Intelligence, Tech, Ballistic Skill, Defense, Offense, Strength, Weapon Skill

Current XP: Spent: (2500 XP) Unspent: (0 XP)

Attributes

Weapon Skill: 37 (+5 Simple 100 XP) 42

Ballistic Skill: 30

Strength: 24

Toughness: (+) 31

Agility: 30

Intelligence: (+) 30 (rerolled) 27

Perception: 32 (+5 Simple 500 XP) 37

Willpower: 29

Fellowship: (-) 26

Influence: 33

Skills

Awareness (Per)

Common Lore: Adeptus Mechanicus (Int)

Logic (Int)

Security (Int)

Tech Use (Int)

Parry (WS) (100 XP, 200 XP) +10

Talents

Technical Knock (Homeworld)

Mechandrite Use: (Utility) (Background)

Weapon Training: (Solid Projectile) (Background)

Iron Jaw (Role)

Luminen Shock (300 XP)

Counter Attack (300 XP)

Disarm (200 XP)

Crushing Bl ow (400 XP)

Hammer Blow (400 XP)

Traits

Mechanicus Implants: Cranial Circuitry (within brain), Cyber-Mantle, Electro-graft (within palm), Electoo Inductors (various interlocking cogs around arms and torso), Potentia Coil (large affair on back of Cyber-Mantle)

Background Bonus:

Replace the Weak Flesh

Role Bonus:

Expert At Violence

Equipment

Hand Canon, Optical Mechandrite, Imperial Robes, 2 Vials of Sacred Ungents

Influence Acquisitions: Internal Reservoir, Luminen Capacitors (Common Quality), Autosanguine

About Mhos:

Born on Cerix Magnus Mhos was one of the blessed to be chosen early on by the Mechanicus and initiated into the Machine Cult. Early aptitude tests proved that he was more suited to matters of the defense of technology rather than repairing it or knowledge of the Holy Machine Spirit. Mhos chose not any of the holy weaponry available to the Mechanicus, nor any of the weapons Cerix is known for. Taking the defense of said holy technologies to heart, he chose to focus on what a Tech Priest’s body was truly capable of in terms of combating the various technological heresies that Askellon could offer.

Learning of his own organic component’s ability to create holy conductance, not wishing to waste what his body could naturally give him, he chose to accept the blessing of Luminen Capacitors, and learn the rights with which to use this energy to destroy the enemies of the Omnisiah. Taking on the blessing of an Internal Reservoir as well to maintain energy throughout all of his dealings with the enemy. Through this he chose the ancient name describing the holy occurrence of conductance.

After a particularly impressive and damaging encounter with the Faceless Trade he was granted the blessings of the Austosanguine to prevent further harm to such a useful cog in the Machine God’s wheel. Earning the interest of a throne agent to one Inquisitor Pluvius the Quarum Primas of Cerix decided it best to lend his services to the Inquisition for a time for various reasons, most of them beyond Mhos’ concerns.

Sounds like a fun character ^^ I'm glad to see we have a solid five players now. I updated the first post I made again which includes some details you guys may need to know.

Welcome...it seems like No. 5 is alive

I was thinking to maybe follow some employees outside to a market or somewhere else. If I can identify then Lans' staff. Maybe trying to overhear some conversation at first then making some

conversation with the e.g. vegetable seller trying to make some innocent inquiries about Lans. Every bit of information is welcome, but first of all I would like to know from them more about the suspect and his house. What is their deal? Is it a trade house or have they strong ties to the military or ecclesarchy? what is Lans' position? Anything special about him?... so better? I would prefer to gather information before we jump into the dark. This way we can build a better cover, maybe don't get killed and might find further incriminating evidence...

If my noble colleagues can answer my questions, I would obviously not go and try to gather the information. Other suggestions are welcome, too

((Welcome to the party, doctor! ))

Scab trawls a bit behind the group, once they reach the lower Apex and carefully bundles up his auspex again and stuffs it away; after all, someone running about with a scanning device is bound to raise questions! He then rejoins the others and looks about in the round with his usual mild smile and squint.

((Thank you kindly, I hope I'll contribute well to the group. Alright here goes my entrance, hope it's not unsubtle.))

A large vehicle trundles beside the group and slows it's speed. A small telescopic device inspects them and reverts back into the vehicle while a moment later the door opens and a larger than average red robed man climbs off of the vehicle. Afterwards it picks speed back up and goes back along it's path.

"Thankfully, bless you vehicle of the Machine God. May your path never be hindered."

He turns to address the group. ((If you want to have known him that's fine, he tends to introduce himself over and over.

"Quietly," he whispers, "Your images match records given to me by our master, I was told to find you and continue to help you on our investigation. Questioningly I am addressed as Mhos. Will you accept my company?"

There's actual intonation in his voice oddly enough. Dark skinned though it might seem as if he's been stained with oil rather than his actual skin color he gives of the tangy smell of some kind of metal. Seemingly he prefers looking around with his optical mechandrite than his actual eyes which seem relatively small compared to the rest of his face. He doesn't seem to have any weapons of note, and there aren't any blatant augments on his body other than the optical mechandrite that you can see out of his robes.

Caradoc grins, "A second servant of the Omnissiah! A pleasure to meet you Mhos!"

-----

I would be most inclined to do some investigating before approaching the manor. As Ripplo suggests, tailing some employees sounds like a good idea. Following that, maybe we could talk to some of his neighbors.

Welcome Doctor!

Still a wee bit distracted by stowing away his device, the bald little man gives a skittish start as the vehicle slows down abruptly. With wide eyes, his mind races to dark places for a few moments, before the Omnissian robe seems to calm him down and reassure him somewhat. He then belatedly perks up and forces a nervous sort of smile, offering a: "Greetings in the emperor's name!"

It is clear at a glance that Guljian's manse has seen better days - crumbling stonework and tarnished plasteel show a shocking degree of neglect. Two lumin-globes (lamps), one flickering intermittently, illuminate the large arched doorway, which houses a set of heavy wooden doors inlaid with elaborate carvings of mythical wasteland beasts from Desoleum's most ancient legends. A short flight of broad steps leads to the doors, set with a knocker cast in the form of a coiled serpent.

After an hour or two of waiting to spot a servant, none show up outside. However, it is quite obvious there are people inside on account of the activating and deactivating internal lights. Next door in a rather nice looking manse is a group of nobles having a barbecue party. There appears to be no obvious security measures for any of the mansions around here.

Also, vehicles can be very helpful

The smell of fresh food in such close proximity, and yet unreachable, is pure torture for Scab, who hadn't eaten since breakfast. He begins to covetously eye the gathering, while absentmindedly rubbing his rather vocal, grumbly stomach.

Mhos looks sadly at the flickering glow globes as he sees the neglected machine spirit, already noting that this noble was likely a vile heretic if he was willing to let such squallor invade the technology the omnisiah provided.

"Curiously, what has been discovered so far about this case? Stating, I only know the basics of this investigation. Factly, a few of the nobles have been exhibiting odd behaviour and have also died. Possible xenos or archeotech is involved."

Mhos absentmindedly inspected the barbecue, he didn't need food often if at all. Even then it was an odd nutrient paste that provided only what his organics still required to function.

"Enlightened! Perhaps we could gain enterance due to my connection with the Machine Cult? Truthfully I do wish to inform him of his neglect with his glow globes. A further inspection of his manse would allow me to see what other vile neglect he has provided with his technology."

"Mho, I think your commitment to re-sanctify these machines is exemplary. And I know that techpriests have a deep urge to be straight forward when something is wrong with said machines. But please hold back and try not to correct the nobles too direct...as I also know that especially the highborn dislike that very much and they might seize to cooperate."

I break down the made progress so far, while shadowing the manse...

"It looks like we won't get lucky with the staff. Maybe we should try to gain information from the jolly neighbors? Our nobles could stage an entry, I could pose as an attached bodyguard...some kind of favor of the Adeptus, Scab and Mho could be specialists for an made trade arrangement maybe?"

Noticing Scab's desire for food.

"And Scab might get something to eat...or me, too...."

Eager to join the revelry, Caradoc says, "Well I for one cast my vote to interview the nobles next-door. The best information is always obtained in the presence of food and drink!"

Astaroth is visibly uneasy with the level of neglect of the mansion.

"The idea suits me well. After all, it doesn't look like you need an invitation, and we no longer care where to spend time and relax, right?"

There are four couples there, all of them dressed in semi-formal attire. It appears to be a retirement party for the owner of the manse. Perhaps his or her work in the Ministorum is coming to a close? Regardless, some type of hamburger like meal is being served. It must be unique to Desoleum culture, for the smell of the meat is nothing like anything the players would have experienced on other worlds. Interestingly, the meat changes from brown to pink as it cooks: Exactly the opposite as most other red meats.

Caradoc puffs himself up and strolls forward, thoughtlessly passing by Astaroth, "Hello all. I am Caradoc of the house of Konstant and I seek the host of this quaint party."

"We will be in your company only briefly," Caradoc indicates the other Acolytes with a sweep of his hand, "I trust you will excuse our intrusion."

-----

Will there be Fel tests to obtain information from the nobles?

Going over to the party Mhos indicates more to himself than directing it to anyone, "Factly, my designation is Mhos, not Mho." He follows regardless to the party, another series of events he didn't much understand between full organics. The closest thing he could think of were informational discussions, purely based on facts without opinions on the matters, of certain technological theological concepts. He didn't understand many of the mysteries of the machine spirit, but he did respect them and do his best to protect them.

He indicated to the arbite, what was his name? Designations were difficult, around mechanicus most knew eachother already from memory, names were rarely important. Titles yes, personal designation was important personally.

"Curiously, might I be allowed to inspect the artifact? Factly My mechandrite has a few abilities that might allow us further insight into it's insidious nature. I will not even have to touch it possibly reactivating it."

Mhos moves his mechandrite closer into the party.

((If he is allowed access then he will use his mechandrite to look at the artifact being careful not to physically touch the thing or look at it with his organic eyes. The mechandrite can examine it on a microscopic and infrared level. If not, then he's going to stand near a fence and examine the goers with his mechandrite as well, also making sure the barbecue's spirit seems placated.))

How I haven't missed this semi-emotionless way of the mechanicus. I sigh. "Sorry "Mhos". I seem to have misheard it over the noise of your vehicle."

Then I follw the rest, a step behind the nobles, scanning the enviorment. When Mhos asks me about the artifact, I stop and stare angry at him. Then I say in a low but severe voice:

"Emporer damned, do not talk about our ...buisness here...We do not know, who is envolved yet! And may I say that this would hardly be the fitting enviorment for an examination? Besides it is no longer in our possession."

I would like to observe and try to get some information, with a not too intensive scrutiny roll^^

Fellowship checks are possible here. Each DoS will reveal one bit of information. Asking the correct questions via roleplay or using Fellowship should work.

Most of the party goers return to their conversations, but the one whom the party is being thrown for approaches the group. "Uh yes, I suppose I can take a moment to talk. I'm guessing you must be from the manufactorums on the lower levels. What exactly would you like to know?"

EDIT: It's a +20 Inquiry test, not just Fellowship alone

Are there any modifiers for the test? I rolled 19(!) on a Fel of 42 for what it's worth, and I have +10 to the Charm skill. Would you prefer that I roleplay it too?