Post by ilovethenids on Feb 20, 2019 19:08:52 GMT
With the release of the 8th ed GSC Codex, I've decided to completely re-do the narrative I did a couple years ago that pitted GSC against Astra Militarum. What I want to do this time is have the GSC triumph as they did before, but I want to have it continue beyond the Tyranids' arrival, with the GSC realizing too late that their "saviors" are really monsters, as I feel it could lead to some interesting character development (also would be fun to play in a game, where GSC Patriarch/Purestrains are given Tyranid keyword instead of GSC, to represent being subsumed completely by the Hive Mind). Anyways, so far all I've got is a narrative seed that explains the origins of this particular cult. Figured I'd see what people think.
SHIPPING INSPECTION RECORD
Subject of Inspection: Carrack-class transport Emperor’s Benediction, Merchant Fleet Irmgard
Record Archivist: Scribe Fortius
Origin: Ghosar system
Date of Inspection: 7 116 900.M41
Reason for inspection: Failure to communicate contents of cargo bay, deemed worthy of thorough manual inspection by Senior Administratum officials
Details:
The ship arrived unexpectedly in the Proxion system, hailing as a shipment from Ghosar Quintus. They cited a request for skilled laborers that was first sent from Niae in 600.M41, which immediately brought suspicions, given the nearly 3 centuries since the request was first issued. However, given that it is not unknown for such delays to occur due to the nature of travel in the Warp, it was not deemed severe enough to provoke immediate destruction of the ship. Instead, the ship was given a dock in a separate zone and told to await inspection. Scribe Fortius and a team of 10 menials conducted an extremely thorough inspection of the ship—they reported no findings of unusual nature.
SERVO-SKULL SLAVED TO: SCRIBE FORTIUS
TRANSCRIBED TO LOW GOTHIC
Segment enters focus. Scribe Fortius walks up the ramp to the landed transport vessel. Hazy picts of the menials accompanying him are visible, their clothes apparently held up to quite high standards.
Scribe Fortius waits a second for a response. There is no response. He sighs with exasperation and turns to his menials.
As the menials split up, Scribe Fortius draws his laspistol and walks forward, scanning the surroundings. He holds up a stablight and scans the walls of the ship. They appear in good condition, though there are sprayed on symbols of a coiled wyrm-form of unfamiliar design. Looking at it, the Scribe shudders, but pushes it out of his mind as he continues forward. His steps echo in the claustrophobic environment, and his light creates multiple shadows that seem to move with a near-sentience as he continues forward. The Scribe is visibly sweating, despite the fact that his breath condenses in the frigid environment of the ship.
Again, there is no response. Scribe Fortius continues on, following the signs indicating the direction of the bridge. He shivers in the cold, but repeatedly glances over his shoulder. Every time he does, he sees nothing. Occasionally, the shadows seem to have eyes that glare back at him with malevolent intent, but he shakes his head and the illusions disappear.
A loud hiss comes from the vents above, and Fortius jumps, his shaking hand struggling to train his laspistol on the source of the sound. His second hand brings the stab light to bear on the open vent. A pair of glowing, yellow eyes stare back.
An indistinct shape bursts from the vent, knocking the pict-capture servo-skull back in a blur of motion, and cracking the lens. A hunched figure towers over the quivering Scribe. The pict-feed crackles as it struggles to maintain focus. The Scribe does not move. There is a grotesque sound like that of a scalpel piercing flesh. Then, the glowing eyes appear again as the figure looks to the pict-capture servitor. There is a quick flash of a purple, clawed hand.
FEED TERMINATED—CAUSE UNKNOWN
SHIPPING INSPECTION RECORD
Subject of Inspection: Carrack-class transport Emperor’s Benediction, Merchant Fleet Irmgard
Record Archivist: Scribe Fortius
Origin: Ghosar system
Date of Inspection: 7 116 900.M41
Reason for inspection: Failure to communicate contents of cargo bay, deemed worthy of thorough manual inspection by Senior Administratum officials
Details:
The ship arrived unexpectedly in the Proxion system, hailing as a shipment from Ghosar Quintus. They cited a request for skilled laborers that was first sent from Niae in 600.M41, which immediately brought suspicions, given the nearly 3 centuries since the request was first issued. However, given that it is not unknown for such delays to occur due to the nature of travel in the Warp, it was not deemed severe enough to provoke immediate destruction of the ship. Instead, the ship was given a dock in a separate zone and told to await inspection. Scribe Fortius and a team of 10 menials conducted an extremely thorough inspection of the ship—they reported no findings of unusual nature.
SHIPPING INSPECTION PICT-CAPTURE SERVO-SKULL TRANSCRIPT
SERVO-SKULL SLAVED TO: SCRIBE FORTIUS
TRANSCRIBED TO LOW GOTHIC
Segment enters focus. Scribe Fortius walks up the ramp to the landed transport vessel. Hazy picts of the menials accompanying him are visible, their clothes apparently held up to quite high standards.
SCRIBE FORTIUS: Hello? We are here to inspect your vessel. You will come out and submit to inspection immediately.
Scribe Fortius waits a second for a response. There is no response. He sighs with exasperation and turns to his menials.
SCRIBE FORTIUS: Very well then, if you will not submit to inspection, we will resort to more drastic measures. Menials, split up. Take a portion of the cargo hold, and inspect everything. Stay in vox contact, and keep your laspistols ready. We do not know if we will face resistance. I will head to the bridge and try to find the crew of this damned vessel.
As the menials split up, Scribe Fortius draws his laspistol and walks forward, scanning the surroundings. He holds up a stablight and scans the walls of the ship. They appear in good condition, though there are sprayed on symbols of a coiled wyrm-form of unfamiliar design. Looking at it, the Scribe shudders, but pushes it out of his mind as he continues forward. His steps echo in the claustrophobic environment, and his light creates multiple shadows that seem to move with a near-sentience as he continues forward. The Scribe is visibly sweating, despite the fact that his breath condenses in the frigid environment of the ship.
SCRIBE FORTIUS: Who is in charge of this ship? R-r-reveal yourself and I will consider being more lenient with your punishment!
Again, there is no response. Scribe Fortius continues on, following the signs indicating the direction of the bridge. He shivers in the cold, but repeatedly glances over his shoulder. Every time he does, he sees nothing. Occasionally, the shadows seem to have eyes that glare back at him with malevolent intent, but he shakes his head and the illusions disappear.
MENIAL (vox-impression): Nothing here except mining equipment, and the occasional auspex ghosts. Keeping alert in case there are any hitchhikers about.
SCRIBE FORTIUS: Affirmative, I am still making my way to the bridge. Not sure what I’m seeing, but I’m getting the impression that something is very wrong here.
SCRIBE FORTIUS: Affirmative, I am still making my way to the bridge. Not sure what I’m seeing, but I’m getting the impression that something is very wrong here.
A loud hiss comes from the vents above, and Fortius jumps, his shaking hand struggling to train his laspistol on the source of the sound. His second hand brings the stab light to bear on the open vent. A pair of glowing, yellow eyes stare back.
SCRIBE FORTIUS (whispering): Emperor preserve us…
An indistinct shape bursts from the vent, knocking the pict-capture servo-skull back in a blur of motion, and cracking the lens. A hunched figure towers over the quivering Scribe. The pict-feed crackles as it struggles to maintain focus. The Scribe does not move. There is a grotesque sound like that of a scalpel piercing flesh. Then, the glowing eyes appear again as the figure looks to the pict-capture servitor. There is a quick flash of a purple, clawed hand.
FEED TERMINATED—CAUSE UNKNOWN
