So how does a normal character navigate the warp with just using the skill? Do they just chart the path? Is it even possible without a Navigator?
Navigate Warp
I would generally restrict this skill to those with the Psyniscience skill since this is the ability to perceive the Warp. Typically this means Chaos uses psykers and/or bound daemons (daemonhosts) in lieu of Navigators. Navigators are still preferred since they tend to last longer and be more reliable for this sort of work, but (in my version of the universe) they are pretty scarce outside of the Imperium.
The Skill Nav(Warp) can be used non-Navs using the ships Warp Compass - a piece of tech that allows for a course to be charted through the Warp by basic dead reckoning. It's generally only good for about 4 light years of blind travel before becoming fatally inaccurate, necessitating multiple 'jumps' for an unguided ship to reach a safe haven.
Plasmafest has it right. Without a Navigator or chaos psyker/Bound Daemon most ships are limited to "Shallow" warp jumps of only a few light years, and generally speaking most in the imperium who do this sort of thing from my reading of rogue trader ply well-charted and known paths.
It might explain the propensity, in the fluff, for 'minor' raiders to be more of a localized phenomenon, than a sector-wide menace. They stick to the same little patch of space, no more than several systems in size, and just wait around the major shipping lanes for a target.
While the great armadas that can actually challenge the Imperial Navy have the resources and power to use daemons and rogue navigators (not to mention regular human pirates aren't as likely to be in to Chaos worship). Or even more esoteric ways, like sorcerous rituals.
Great thanks for the info guys!
Blood Pact said:
It might explain the propensity, in the fluff, for 'minor' raiders to be more of a localized phenomenon, than a sector-wide menace. They stick to the same little patch of space, no more than several systems in size, and just wait around the major shipping lanes for a target.
While the great armadas that can actually challenge the Imperial Navy have the resources and power to use daemons and rogue navigators (not to mention regular human pirates aren't as likely to be in to Chaos worship). Or even more esoteric ways, like sorcerous rituals.
Very neat, Blood Pact, I hadn't thought of it like that. Makes a lot of sense.
I wonder if those wacky Chaos Hereteks would be looking for ways to replicate the Navigator gene. Any warmaster worth his salt needs a fleet capable of warping hundreds of light years at a time. Having Chaos Navigators would remove pesky inconveniences like mutation and death from Warp travel.
Daemonhosts would be interesting NPC's for BC campaigns; the very real threat of them escaping would be enough to keep players jittery.
Nekros22 said:
I wonder if those wacky Chaos Hereteks would be looking for ways to replicate the Navigator gene. Any warmaster worth his salt needs a fleet capable of warping hundreds of light years at a time. Having Chaos Navigators would remove pesky inconveniences like mutation and death from Warp travel.
Daemonhosts would be interesting NPC's for BC campaigns; the very real threat of them escaping would be enough to keep players jittery.
"Would you like to travel across entire sectors in months, rather than years? Would you like to blast people with warp energy? Would you like to have an extra eye? Come down to Fabius Bile's Gene Emporium, and become a New Man!"
MILLANDSON said:
"Would you like to travel across entire sectors in months, rather than years? Would you like to blast people with warp energy? Would you like to have an extra eye? Come down to Fabius Bile's Gene Emporium, and become a New Man!"
Yoink...
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