Jericho Reach

By SonofDorn, in Deathwatch

Where is the Jericho Reach in relation to the Calixis Sector? I don't recall seeing it anywhere and I was curious as to where it would be.

I'm pretty certain that it has never been mentioned before. I'd actually think that it's a ways away from the Calixis sector but still in Segmentum Obscurus. After all if an Imperial crusade was close then the Calixis sector would be required to supply large amounts of men like for the Margin crusade yet nothing is mentioned.

Of course, it could be downright anywhere. I'm just guessing here.

If not near the existing locales of DH & RT, at least in the same Segmentum would be my bet.

Maybe in the north/spinward of Calixis, where the Margin-Crusade was lunched a few years ago.

Brd. Maximilian said:

Maybe in the north/spinward of Calixis, where the Margin-Crusade was lunched a few years ago.

I have a vague recolection of the name "Jericho Reach" appearing in a designer diary a while back for DH or RT, I think it may have been in conjunction with the MArgin Crusades... in any event, it would be very strange for where ever it is located to suddenly be far from Calixis and its surrounds which is where all the other products are placed and the various storylines are centered.

- Raith

In the RT Rulebook, there is the Jericho Pilgrim Vessel, possible it has a link to the Jericho Reach...?

Raith said:

I have a vague recolection of the name "Jericho Reach" appearing in a designer diary a while back for DH or RT, I think it may have been in conjunction with the MArgin Crusades... in any event, it would be very strange for where ever it is located to suddenly be far from Calixis and its surrounds which is where all the other products are placed and the various storylines are centered.

- Raith

Makes sense...Maybe the Jericho Reach is the location of the Margin Crusades? We know from the DW writeup that it's an area of space undergoing Imperial pacification...it would be cool to see a setting which is "mid way" between unexplored space (the Koronus Expanse) and settled Imperial Space (the Calixis Sector.)

Plus it means you get to deal with interesting characters like Warmasters. Lords Militant, Lord Inquisitors accompanying the campaign etc etc... Lots of juicy Imperial politicking, arguing over which planets go to which organisations etc etc...

I've always been curious if the Margin Crusade would be expanded on and putting it in here was a rather elegant way of doing it.

Also, I do recall that the Inquisitor's Handbook has a Disciples of Thule bg package, and in Rogue Trader bam, Disciples of Thule are everywhere.

It would make sense if they used a background package as foreshadowing again "Soldier of the Margin Crusade" Package.

This is taken from the Dark Heresy timeline, released as an Apocrypha download by BI:

784.M41 The Margin Crusade is Launched: Under holy writ by the Synod Obscurus and taking place far to the Calixis Sector’s Spinward
border, a crusade is launched into the Margin region beyond the light of the Astronomicon to the galactic north . The Calixis Sector is
called on to provide troops and material to the ongoing effort and grudgingly complies. Thirty years later the crusade still grinds
bloodily on.

It seems likely since the Crusade is still going on at the start of most DH games.

Three points that make me doubt the Jericho Reach Crusade is the Margin Crusade.

1 - The name.

2 - The fact the description in the DD suggests the Jericho Reach Crusade is just beginning, whereas the Margin Crusade has been going on for decades. That's of course assuming DW is set at the same time as the other two games - but I firmly expect that would be the case so there can be character and campaign crossover.

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

Why not, the date of Deathwatch can be earlier then in DH and RT, then the Crusade just start... The problem with the Tyranids, look into Creatures Anathema and into the 5th Edition Rulebook from the Tabletopgame.

Brd. Maximilian said:

Why not, the date of Deathwatch can be earlier then in DH and RT, then the Crusade just start... The problem with the Tyranids, look into Creatures Anathema and into the 5th Edition Rulebook from the Tabletopgame.

Creatures Anathema features Lictor's alone (and genestealers iirc), but makes it clear the 'nid fleets are a looong way away.

Yes DW might be set at a different time to the other two games ... but I strongly doubt that will be the case for the reasons I mention above.

Adam France said:

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

*cough, cough* apocryphal mentions of Hive Fleet Tiamat storming Thracian Primaris (neighbour Scarus Sector) in M35 *cough, cough*

TorogTarkdacil said:

Adam France said:

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

*cough, cough* apocryphal mentions of Hive Fleet Tiamat storming Thracian Primaris (neighbour Scarus Sector) in M35 *cough, cough*

Sorry, which timeline specifically are you referring too there, I just checked the DH Apocrypha timeline and there's no mention of that?

That would be a major surprise not only per the galactic region, but for the fact Tyranids were as far as I knew completely unknown until they attacked in 745.M41 (Codex Tyranids is extremely specific on that point).

Could be the 'Access Denied' sector in the map in the core book...

Adam France said:

TorogTarkdacil said:

Adam France said:

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

*cough, cough* apocryphal mentions of Hive Fleet Tiamat storming Thracian Primaris (neighbour Scarus Sector) in M35 *cough, cough*

Sorry, which timeline specifically are you referring too there, I just checked the DH Apocrypha timeline and there's no mention of that?

That would be a major surprise not only per the galactic region, but for the fact Tyranids were as far as I knew completely unknown until they attacked in 745.M41 (Codex Tyranids is extremely specific on that point).

A very vague reference is made to what he's talking about in the 3rd edition codex.

Atheosis said:

Adam France said:

TorogTarkdacil said:

Adam France said:

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

*cough, cough* apocryphal mentions of Hive Fleet Tiamat storming Thracian Primaris (neighbour Scarus Sector) in M35 *cough, cough*

Sorry, which timeline specifically are you referring too there, I just checked the DH Apocrypha timeline and there's no mention of that?

That would be a major surprise not only per the galactic region, but for the fact Tyranids were as far as I knew completely unknown until they attacked in 745.M41 (Codex Tyranids is extremely specific on that point).

A very vague reference is made to what he's talking about in the 3rd edition codex.

Ah yes, just found a reference on Wickipedia. Seems a bit like outdated info that has been superseded by later books to me, I can't see how a hive fleet could get to the capital of Scarus Sector without first carving a swathe from the galactic rim for example? Then assuming they could, how were they stopped, when other fleets were only stopped by Imperium level efforts?

I'd guess as I say, that's old info, before today's version of the 'nids and their activities was fully fleshed.

Certainly in the canon setting, as I understand it, at 815.M41, the 'nids are assumed by the Imperium to be extinct, and any hypothetical lost or surviving splinter fleets are right over the other side of the galaxy.

Adam France said:

Atheosis said:

Adam France said:

TorogTarkdacil said:

Adam France said:

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

*cough, cough* apocryphal mentions of Hive Fleet Tiamat storming Thracian Primaris (neighbour Scarus Sector) in M35 *cough, cough*

Sorry, which timeline specifically are you referring too there, I just checked the DH Apocrypha timeline and there's no mention of that?

That would be a major surprise not only per the galactic region, but for the fact Tyranids were as far as I knew completely unknown until they attacked in 745.M41 (Codex Tyranids is extremely specific on that point).

A very vague reference is made to what he's talking about in the 3rd edition codex.

Ah yes, just found a reference on Wickipedia. Seems a bit like outdated info that has been superseded by later books to me, I can't see how a hive fleet could get to the capital of Scarus Sector without first carving a swathe from the galactic rim for example? Then assuming they could, how were they stopped, when other fleets were only stopped by Imperium level efforts?

I'd guess as I say, that's old info, before today's version of the 'nids and their activities was fully fleshed.

Certainly in the canon setting, as I understand it, at 815.M41, the 'nids are assumed by the Imperium to be extinct, and any hypothetical lost or surviving splinter fleets are right over the other side of the galaxy.

There are various creative ways one could adapt such material. That said, I highly doubt FFG will do so. It is, as you say, rather out of date.

Adam France said:

Atheosis said:

Adam France said:

TorogTarkdacil said:

Adam France said:

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

*cough, cough* apocryphal mentions of Hive Fleet Tiamat storming Thracian Primaris (neighbour Scarus Sector) in M35 *cough, cough*

Sorry, which timeline specifically are you referring too there, I just checked the DH Apocrypha timeline and there's no mention of that?

That would be a major surprise not only per the galactic region, but for the fact Tyranids were as far as I knew completely unknown until they attacked in 745.M41 (Codex Tyranids is extremely specific on that point).

A very vague reference is made to what he's talking about in the 3rd edition codex.

Ah yes, just found a reference on Wickipedia. Seems a bit like outdated info that has been superseded by later books to me, I can't see how a hive fleet could get to the capital of Scarus Sector without first carving a swathe from the galactic rim for example? Then assuming they could, how were they stopped, when other fleets were only stopped by Imperium level efforts?

I'd guess as I say, that's old info, before today's version of the 'nids and their activities was fully fleshed.

Certainly in the canon setting, as I understand it, at 815.M41, the 'nids are assumed by the Imperium to be extinct, and any hypothetical lost or surviving splinter fleets are right over the other side of the galaxy.

Officially. But who is to say that "we fought some strange xenos near the Jericho Reach" doesnt realy mean "Ah heck, Nids!"

Peacekeeper_b said:

Adam France said:

Atheosis said:

Adam France said:

TorogTarkdacil said:

Adam France said:

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

*cough, cough* apocryphal mentions of Hive Fleet Tiamat storming Thracian Primaris (neighbour Scarus Sector) in M35 *cough, cough*

Sorry, which timeline specifically are you referring too there, I just checked the DH Apocrypha timeline and there's no mention of that?

That would be a major surprise not only per the galactic region, but for the fact Tyranids were as far as I knew completely unknown until they attacked in 745.M41 (Codex Tyranids is extremely specific on that point).

A very vague reference is made to what he's talking about in the 3rd edition codex.

Ah yes, just found a reference on Wickipedia. Seems a bit like outdated info that has been superseded by later books to me, I can't see how a hive fleet could get to the capital of Scarus Sector without first carving a swathe from the galactic rim for example? Then assuming they could, how were they stopped, when other fleets were only stopped by Imperium level efforts?

I'd guess as I say, that's old info, before today's version of the 'nids and their activities was fully fleshed.

Certainly in the canon setting, as I understand it, at 815.M41, the 'nids are assumed by the Imperium to be extinct, and any hypothetical lost or surviving splinter fleets are right over the other side of the galaxy.

Officially. But who is to say that "we fought some strange xenos near the Jericho Reach" doesnt realy mean "Ah heck, Nids!"

Sure, that would work as an individual GM conceit. Abnett did something similar in one of the Ravenor novels iirc. However, I wonder if FFG will set up the use of 'nids across the board in that way.

I suspect if 'nids are pitched as a big part of the game that will mean the setting will be nearer their officially accepted stomping grounds.

All guess work at the moment of course.

Adam France said:

Three points that make me doubt the Jericho Reach Crusade is the Margin Crusade.

1 - The name.

2 - The fact the description in the DD suggests the Jericho Reach Crusade is just beginning, whereas the Margin Crusade has been going on for decades. That's of course assuming DW is set at the same time as the other two games - but I firmly expect that would be the case so there can be character and campaign crossover.

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

1- Well now. The Angevin Crusade wasn't in the Angevin sector was it? We don't know if the Margin region is the name of a sector at all.

2- Good point here. The description does mention that the Jericho Reach was devastated by war in the ancient past. And the implication is that this crusade is in response to a relatively new threat.

3- Tyranids are a lousy excuse to remove the setting from the already well established continuity set by Dark Heresy and Rogue Trader. I mean, I love Tyranids as much as the next guy, but I just don't see the developers on this game throwing away all the potential crossover opportunities by moving the setting to a different segmentum entirely. The way I read the description of Deathwatch leads me to believe that the alien threat is something other than an established canon alien race. Maybe there's some way to make the Tyranids an ancillary threat, or a growing threat just now darkening the doorstep of the Segmentum Obscurus. There is some evidence that the Calixis sector has drawn Tyranid attention. The "fluff" (**shudder** I hate this word) regarding the Lictor in Creatures Anathema seems to be setting up this possibility.

In any case FFG has established two intertwined settings already, a third seems only natural.

Adam France said:

TorogTarkdacil said:

Adam France said:

3 - The several mentions of Tyranids being amongst those enemies pcs could meet in DW. Tyranids in Obscurus? Doubtful.

*cough, cough* apocryphal mentions of Hive Fleet Tiamat storming Thracian Primaris (neighbour Scarus Sector) in M35 *cough, cough*

Sorry, which timeline specifically are you referring too there, I just checked the DH Apocrypha timeline and there's no mention of that?

That would be a major surprise not only per the galactic region, but for the fact Tyranids were as far as I knew completely unknown until they attacked in 745.M41 (Codex Tyranids is extremely specific on that point).

According to codex Tyranids (2004), the Tiamet system may have been seeded by a Tyranid fleet. Additionally, it is theorised that the Genestealers of Ymgarl originated from here; vessels sent to destroy the system may have inadvertently transport them.

After consulting the facts with my kinda Tyranidophilic friend I have to clear my statement a little bit, as in my vague remark I unknowingly fused two separate Tyranid Forgotten Fleets into one. It´s funny, but both of them are/were/could be located in Segmentum Obscurus rim.

From Codex: Tyranids 4E (2005), Hive Fleet Tiamet, at least its remmants were found by Explorators in M35 and, altough the original (and unfortunate) "explorers" died horribly, parts of the fleet were later destroyed and its thought that ships which carried the extermination could be the source or transporters of seeding the Ymgral system with Genestealers. The original source stated this incident took place on Galactic East, but Warhammer 40 000 Core Rulebook 5E (2008) features "Remmants of Hive Fleet Tiamet" at the galactic north east in Segmentum Obscurus.

From Codex: Tyranids 4E (2005) comes Hive Fleet Ouroboris, which is thought (you know that 40k "rumour", nothing "official" but enough solid evidence to rip your eyes:)) to plague the Helican Sub and attack Thracian Primaris in M36. And just to be completly clear, it is located in Scarus sector next to the sector Calixis.

And as a bonus, if you thought that main Tyranid Hive Fleets are far too far (on "east" or "south") from Obscurus, I was pointed towards one picture in newest Codex: Tyranids 5E (2010) which clearly shows that Leviathan isn´t coming from the "south" of galactic plane, but from its underbelly. I don´t want to spread a Tyranid paranoia but they can realy hit Imperium from different directions.

TorogTarkdacil said:

I don´t want to spread a Tyranid paranoia but they can realy hit Imperium from different directions.

Indeed. Space is three-dimensional , and therefore much more open in the ways/directions some thing can attack a target. Thus far, there has been mention of a dozen minor hive fleets spread throughput source materials; Locust, Tiamat, Ouroboros, Colossus, Moloch, Jormungandr, Hydra, Scarabus, Harbinger, Apophis, Naga and Gorgon. So, there is a lot of potential there for those who dare. I personally have plans for Apophis in my own game.

Also, I recall mention somewhere that the kraken, leviathons and dragons of Fenris all share distinct characteristics with tyranid in general; as does the Catachan Devil. Some conclude that many death worlds were seeded somehow in the distant past be lost hive fleets. Or, with the belief of some that the Tyranids are the product of the Deceiver C'Tan, that many death worlds were its lab experiments.

-=Brother Praetus=-

only.... Tyranids are avoiding the Necrons because of their anti psychic/untouchable trait. I find this fact kinda interesting as that may open up the possibility to manipulate or disrupt the fleets by using the pariah gene in some obscure experiment or machine project happy.gif