(semi-cross post with the DH GM forum)

Hi,

I really like the backdrop for the Deathwatch game but our playing group has no immediate desire to play as Space Marines. I was therefore pondering setting a Dark Heresy game in the Jericho Reach. I'm *not* considering an Ascended DH game - a pure "on the ground" acolyte based game.

It occurs to me that there's all sorts of potential for adventures there, behind the front lines (or even covert missions behind enemy lines) .

Has anybody done similar? Can you see any major logical holes or pit falls in doing so?

I've not done it, but there is nothing I can think of in the reach that would make it impossible or even all that difficult. So long as their missions and investigations don't lead them into a carnifex lair you should be fine.

I don't recall Hereticus having much of a presence in the area, though that's just something to keep in mind rather than a direct pro/con (though I could be mistaken and have just glossed over that section).

There are lots of places starting colonies in thye reach. A DH game could look into the conflicts of a burgeonig cult in the base of a new colony. Hardly requesting the attention os the SM or an ascended character, but fertile ground for the watchfull eye of the inquisition and its disposable acolytes

I'm starting the characters at DH rank 5 to give them a step up power wise (but still very much in the realms of Dark Heresy) and planning on starting the group in the calixis sector, where their first investigation will involve following a lead to "The Margin Crusade" - which will in turn wind up with them stuck on the other side of the warp gate in the Jericho Reach. I then intend to have a local inquisitor (possibly of no fixed ordo) "thansfer" (press gang) them into his service due to lack of resources etc

"Don't you realise that there's a WAR on!?!?!?"

This would be a great setting for Dark Heresy. Plenty of work to be done against Chaos and Xenos both.

Side Question: Has anyone found anything defenitive that linksthe Margin Crusade to the Achillus Crusade? Things seem to hint at it but never say directly, though part of me suspects that's there so that people can opt to ignore Jericho and have characers with backgrounds that involve the Margin Crusade without screwing up the whole 'ignorant armies' bit.

Seems if they were two separate crusades, the Calixis sector would have a hard time paying for two crusades.

Not that it really matters for your game, simply say they're the same and they are, and it's a clever segue as well, as the characters think they're going to the halo stars or the koronos expanse, somewhere similar, and then oopsies, we're in segmentum ultima...

Back to the thread: When I played in a DH game we were Malleus but that didn't stop us from investigating heretics and xenos, the GM simply slapped something that on the surface could be interpreted as demonic to get us heading down the road. We'd sometimes call in other ordos for help, and were told to stop investigating a couple of cases (not unlike the cop movie cliche), but membership never stopped us from fighting a wide array of enemies- all I'm saying is don't let ordo membership dissuade you or feel that it's railroading you.

I think what would be great as an adventure seeds that the PC's are the acolytes of Inquisitor Carmillus, the inquistor of the chamber at watch fortress

erioch she always likes to keep hers out in the field and only and to return only to report back and rearm before going back into the fray

Deathwatch marines could be NPC's even........

Cross-posted from my reply on the DH thread:

I haven't done anytthing similar either. However, there is plenty room for acolytes serving any of the Holy Ordos in the Jericho. Reach. The threat of the alien, heretic and daemon are all present there. Your players need not be directly engaged in heavy combat immediately. Whether investigating a heretical cult with ties that lead back to the Hadex Anomaly, countering Gue'la infil-traitors leaking vital war plans in the Greyhell front or conducting purity checks among the worlds of the Orpheus Salient there are many opportunities for Dark Heresy characters in the Jericho Reach.

In my campaign I have roughly a dozen inquisitors in the Reach, mostly Ordo Xenos. However the Sister of Battle player has an Ordo Hereticus Lord as her patron, in the Reach for objectives of his own. It's completely up to individual GM just how strong and varied the Inquisition's presence in the Reach is.

As for acolytes, there are plenty of human cultures in the Reach and swathes of xeno and demon worshipping heretic plots to root out. Fun for all the ranks!