I'm still trying to wrap my head around the ethos of the Space Marines, so I've got a question.

A squad/platoon gets a mission to find a relic and deliver it somewhere (I suppose the where might matter, but I don't think so). If I have to choose a location for the purpose of this question, let's say it's to be delivered to the chapter master at a hugely important watch fortress.

The information the squad has it that the relic It is supposed to be ancient and sacred and will help the chapter grealty in its duties (they're looking for the holy grail).

After a hardfought battle, the marines find it has been tainted and warped by chaos beyond all redemption. The relic is terribly dangerous and corrupting.

Do they destroy it? Do they take it (wherever), knowing that if they do so (wherever) is doomed? Do they lie, "yeah...we had it...then it accidently blew out the airlock into the sun...."

Is destroying the relic a blemish on their honor, if the true circumstances are known? Would bringing the thing back knowing what will happen a greater stain on their honor?

It really depends on the circumstances and how you want to run it.

Likely, some would feel they did the right thing in getting rid of a tainted object that could have spread corruption to others. Others might feel that the relic could have been cleansed and blame the team for destroying such a sacred object. This second viewpoint is probably the most likely reaction.

The best example I can think of off the top of my head is the Spear of Russ. Ragnar Blackmane was part of a Space Wolves company sent to recover the Spear when its location came under assault by Chaos Space Marines (the Thousand Sons). Ragnar tossed the Spear into the warp to stop Magnus the Red (Primarch of the Thousand Sons) from materializing and basically killing everyone. Even though Ragnar's actions saved his company and likely many, many human lives, he was punished for losing one of his Chapter's greatest treasures. He wasn't really fully "redeemed" until he reclaimed the Spear.

Either way it'll be a great roleplaying scenario, with the players themselves possibility disagreeing with each other.

jbuck said:

Nice set-up. If there is a Librarian present the decision would probably fall into his hands, at the very least the leader would seek counsil from him, I suppose. But honestly? Most likely it would have to be destroyed. And simply report the tragic loss of the artifact.

I suppose if they had a statis field or stasis grenade, the Librarian's advice might be to freeze the thing and have the Chief Librarian study it to see if it can be recovered from taint.

But if they are convinced that it cannot be recovered by any means? Destroy it.

Stain on their honour? It all depends on them being perceived as doing the right thing and succeeding in it, I suppose.

Alex

Interesting, reactions. My first thoguht as destroy the Chaos tainted item.

To my mind the holy item the PC's were sent to retrieve was destroyed as soon as the item became tainted with Chaos.

I suppose it depends if there is a chance to re-consecrate and purify the relic in question.

demeanor......

if you are studious, you'are tempted to save the corrupted item in or order to use against the chaos.....or something else....

if you are pious......destroy......

and so on......

much depend also of wich type of relic.....

the finger of some unknow saint......destroy immediately

the left pauldron of Russ? mmmmm....interesting decision to do...you will destroy because is tainted or save because is from Russ????

many many many rpg.......

if you find a corrupted item from the Emperor? if the Emperor let it corrupt because in that way HE save billions???

and what appen once you destroy it????

many many rpg....

Visitor Q said:

Ultimately, humans have to think long-term in 40k. Think conservative. Humanity can afford short-term losses.

Plus: Both forlorn hope and stagnation are tropes of the setting.

A tainted relic that is gone is gone forever, just as a planet reduced to molten slag is lost forever.

A tainted relic that can be saved regardless of difficulty or short-term cost is for the benefit of the Imperium. Likewise, the Imperium is fine with sending twenty billion troops to die to save a planet for destruction.

If five marines are tainted to recover a relic that can be put in stasis and one day somehow (it doesn't matter if nobody knows how to *now*: Just look at Guilliman's state of affairs) is purified and serves the Imperium again, it's worth it. Heck: It's worth at least a few thousand Imperial Guard, too.

That said: A PC's opinion on the matter might vary from 'destroy the impure thingy' through to 'use it for the Imperium regardless of the cost and taint'.

Like said I think there is no categorical "do this" answer and it would depend a lot depending on each marines personality. I don't think its even so strictly bound to demeanor as there are always several ways to look at it.

For example: A Pious marine could be black-or-white, straightline fanatic who wants to destroy everything Chaos has touched... Or he could honestly believe that Faith of Emperor is mightier than Chaos and actually NOT destroy the relic because he believes his Faith is strong enough to find a way to purify it.

Similarly a Dutifull marine could either return the relic to the Chapterhouse because he believes it is his duty to complete the mission verbatim... Or he could opt to destroy it because he believes is primary duty is to Chapter and its security as whole and the duty to complete the mission is only secondary.

Oh, this is actually pretty cool, because the marines are sorta screwed no-matter what they do. So it could indeed sparm some good discussions.

What I would try and incorporate is perhaps the notion that this could be really bad for morale, if they come back with these news. And it actually would be alot better for the Chapter if this was never uncovered. It would be a very heavy burden for the players to carry this knowledge knowing they can never share it with all their brothers or it will be a devastating blow to morale. (Ie. a Chapter would be more than "happy" to eternally chase some gauntlet of their Primarch or great hero, than to know that this item was lost to Chaos, if they had to chose I think).

Another twist could perhaps be to add a bit more to it. Like traces that other of their chapter brothers might have already been here, and obviously decided not to bring back this artifact either, but having (unsuccessfully) tried to destroy it.

captain Davian Thule????

Siranui said:

Very true plus some PC's may not share or even be aware of the value of the longterm view, thus allowing for more roleplaying potential.