Hello All,

Let me start out by stating that I just ordered my copies of Dark Heresy and Rogue Trader today. I should have them in my eager hands in the next two days. However, here is my problem. I've only ever played the mini's combat once long ago (i.e. 15+ years ago). However, I've played many different RPGs throughout the years and normally, by default, I end up being the GM for my groups. In my area, there are several game shops with mini's combat players, but I do not have many details about DH / RT groups.

I've started digging through Google and various websites and found - Lexicanum, Dark Reign, Ordo Malleus, Heresypedia, and Schola Progenium websites. In my available time, I'm trying to read up as much as I can online and get a better grasp on the 40K universe and history. I love the dark gothic feel that DH and RT seem to have available to it. I'm a huge fan of Lovecraft and Lovecraftian themes as well so that is another great plus.

I guess what I'm asking for is any advice for this newbie in the 40K'verse, if the worst case scenario comes true of no RPG groups locally for DH / RT. I prefer RPGs and probably won't invest in the mini's combat. Any other websites or other useful resources that I might have missed so far. I do know that if I end up being a GM for another group I'd start them out in the DH aspect to get them used to the rules and setting, and a little experience before sending them off world to chase down other unexplored horrors.

Thanks in advance,

Kerstrom

I say read Dan Abnett's Eisenhorn. I have found it to be the best introduction book of all the ones I have read. It gives you great information about the Inquisition and the general life in The Imperium of Man. Which I personally believe is far more important and to know which shoe size Horus has or what the Emperor was waring at the day of the first crusade.

While space marines are cool and all, their settings are more suitable for end-gaming than new characters.

Thanks for the information, I'll try and find that to read it. I don't plan on letting the players become Space Marines, but traveling with / becoming Rogue Traders are possible. I love the rich history and I'm trying to become as knowledgeable as quickly as possible. I guess the good thing is that I can pick and choose alot of what I want to work with / include in my game if I become the GM once again.

Kerstrom

Fortunately the Dark Heresy and Rogue Trader books both have a very robust background section, making other sources virtually extraneous and unnecessary. Also, with DH and RT being very new there aren't any nagging questions about canonicity, which is one of my main problems with websites like Lexicanum. It's a nice repository of informationBut a lot of it is from source materials that no longer apply. Now, while some of the ideas might be very intriguing to work into a Dark Heresy game (e.g. the Emperor actually being the fifth Chaos God called the Starchild [removed after 3rd edition] or the Emperor fathering biological children who are trying to complete his grand plan [dropped after 2nd ed]) they might also muddy the waters if your group is already familiar with the current setting.

But on the other hand, if you want to read something that gives some idea of how the narrative of a DH/RT game should play out, I would recommend the novels published by Black Library. Sandy Mitchell has conveniently written two novels (thus far) that actually take place in the Calixis Sector, and they're pretty good. And then there's Dan Abnett's two series, both of which are now in omnibus form, Eisenhorn and Ravenor. I would say that Ravenor feels more like Dark Heresy, but Eisenhorn can give you some other ideas to play around with. Plus they both take place in the Scarus Sector, which is practically next door to Calixis, spatially-speaking

In a word: EISENHORN

Sandy Mitchell's Scourge the Heretic/Purge the Unclean books are also good picks since they are set in the Calixis Sector. (made fresh and shiny-new for the RPG line)

Once you are settled in, just about anything by Dan Abnett is going to be pretty good for the setting and story. Plenty of other authors writing in the 40K universe, some loved, some scorned. Some of the short stories are great for "day in the life" stuff. If you like the setting, my advice is to wade in!

So far, I still haven't picked up any of the books yet, but I'm still trying to get the wife to go with me to some of the local used book stores. I must say the Eisenhorn and Ravenor books both look like interesting options to read. Titanicus, Caiphus Cain series, and Gaunt's Ghosts series also look good. I saw one about the Imperial Guard that looked interesting as well. I have several ideas stirring around in my head for a future long-term campaign. But, I must admit that some of my inspiration has come from browsing on the Anargo Sector Project site.

I'll post some of my ideas for my future campaign in a few days once I have had more of a chance to read more of the base books.

Kerstrom

If you liked Anargo, you should hop over to the Dark Reign forums then, since Kage (the guy who set up Anargo) is one of my fellow Admin on DR. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you about Anargo.

I'd also suggest Eisenhorn, Ravenor, and Ciaphas Cain. Cain is just.... you just really need to read his stories

If you want to start out playing DH, start with "Edge of Darkness" which can be found here (see link) as a free download

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=50&esem=4

I think you won´t find to many members on this Forum who will not agree that it is a wonderfull scenario "for starters".