Capitulus Quinque: Pilgrimage

In the nightmare future of the 41st millennium, Mankind teeters upon the brink of extinction. The galaxy-spanning Imperium of Man is beset on all sides by ravening aliens, and threatened from within by malevolent creatures and heretic rebels. Only the strength of the Immortal Emperor of Terra stands between Humanity and its annihilation. Dedicated to His service are the countless warriors, agents and myriad servants of the Imperium.

Dark Heresy is a roleplaying game based upon the universe of Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000. The setting of Warhammer 40,000 is a dark, gothic future where the Imperium of Man is beset by dangers within and without. In Dark Heresy players take on the roles of Acolytes of the Inquisition, aiming to uncover and combat the enemies of mankind, be they aliens, heretics or mutants!

Run by the Grand Inquisitor Vardaen
MadVlat
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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Outer Gate

Post by MadVlat » Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:18 pm

Rego leaps from the truck as it grinds to a halt. Still holding the aquilla aloft he approaches. "We have travelled far and I bring supplies to the keepers of the shrine. Let us pass through the gates". The priest glances at the fighting and then back to the barrier, his words spoken in haste as the fighting continues...
...And the stone of the earth and the wind in the sky bowed before the wisdom of the Ancient One...

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Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by Vardaen » Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:23 pm

There is really just a tiny bit of fighting going on way far to the side, and that's only because I think folks took the picture a bit to realistically. There are lots of signs of previous fights going on.
A small sally port opens and two men on motor bikes ride out to Rego and the truck. They are heavily armored guardsmen, and they circle around your truck a few times before pausing before Rego. "Your cargo Father will be searched. If it proves safe for the shrine you shall be allowed entrance like any Pilgrim."

For an hour you wait as your cargo is searched for bombs, heresy and any contraband not worthy of the shrine. Those doing the search are black robed Tech-Priests that wear silver symbols of the Black Templar who control this world. A collection of armed guardsmen keep watch over you. You are eventually cleared to entrance and you rumble through the gate into the outer areas.

Rego's cargo is quickly handed out, he makes sure that it gets into the right hands, and because of this you are ushered through the throngs of thousands of pilgrims that arrived weeks ago and taken directly to the base of the shrine. The items are stripped off your truck without a second thought, and the payment does you good, it saves you waiting in line for weeks behind others, and in fact once at the shrine's base itself you are not hustled along by the PDF troopers but are allowed to sit there and pray for as long as you like.

You are also granted access to all public areas, where any pilgrim would be allowed to go, but not into any barrack or elchessiarcy facility. Once inside the walls you have a feeling of safety, both from the walls, and the massive holy statue looking down over you. One of St. Drusus toes is five times taller than your truck and reaches up above you. At the base of the massive colossus are millions of offerings left by the pilgrims that make this trip. Anything and everything has been left at the base or attached to the stone toes as millions of people per year come and pray for succor from the sainted man that founded the Calixis Sector. You too are in complete and utter awe, and can feel its power.

To visit such a holy place is to know the power of the God-Emperor and the Immperium. You will never be the same again.
Everyone that wants to RP praying or meditating, making and offering, etc, will get 1 bonus Fate Point that does not refresh. This would not give you a new Max, but would float, you could spend it like normal (not burn it) but once you do, its gone.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by Trogdor » Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:35 pm

Jericus is not an overly-devout man, though he's no heretic either. He reveres the God-Emperor as he should, even if he's not particularly vocal about it. But here, at the foot - literally - of the statue of St. Drusus, he can't help but be moved by the majesty of where he is. That the God-Emperor and the Imperium had the power to create such a monument - and this to a saint, not even the God-Emperor Himself. It made one wonder at the glories that could be found in the God-Emperor's palace on Earth.

For hours, Jericus stands in silent prayer to St. Drusus and the God-Emperor. This he realizes is what they were fighting for in the Inquisition. This is what they were trying to preserve. Eventually hunger, thirst, and fatigue bring an end to Jericus's prayers. But he walks away from the statue of St. Drusus with a renewed sense of purpose, a renewed conviction in what the Inquisition was doing.

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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by MadVlat » Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:16 am

Rego approaches the great altar of the shrine and peels the top of his robe to his waist, ignoring the frigid air. Drawing his sword he holds on to it with open palms and guides its vibrating edge across his chest. Though the wound is not deep it provides the sword a thin crimson hue. The priest then begins his ritualistic prayers laying the blade upon his lap. Hours pass before he revives himself from his meditative trance. In silence Rego makes the sign of the aquilla and replaces his robes, the blood from the cut having frozen to his chest.

Taking to his feet and sheathing his massive blade, he turns and moves away...
Not exactly sure how I am to go about this process V...
...And the stone of the earth and the wind in the sky bowed before the wisdom of the Ancient One...

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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by Grimbold » Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:07 pm

Haxtes can feel the significance of this place, even though his religion is a different one. He sits down and thinks about how the Ecclesiarchy misinterprets the teachings and the significance of the Ommnissiah, the one they call the Emperor in these parts. But he also gets a sense of togetherness, that in fact, it is only two sides of the same coin, and this fills him with more reasons to fight for the Imperium as hard as he can, and serve the Inquisition with all his skills and talents.

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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by ManWithDoor » Thu Nov 14, 2013 12:01 pm

Damien caresses the Sanctioning Brand, as memories of his soul-binding surface, gazing at the Statue of St. Drusus. He does not kneel to the icon of the Saint, as no man should bend knee except to the God-Emperor, but he is over-awed. He examines the offerings left to the Imperial Saint, cataloging the wealth arrayed here. Not of paltry gold and precious gems, but of care and love. Many fear the God-Emperor, not understanding His plan. It is clear that this Saint is instead loved, revered for the founding of the Imperium in this sector. The psyker can feel how the Immaterium reacts to this, driving away the Demons of the Warp, making this a holy and protected place. He wishes that all of human space could be made like this, a true vision of the Emperor's plan to protect humanity from the evils beyond.
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."

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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by Vardaen » Thu Nov 14, 2013 9:00 pm

The Shrine has an impact on everyone, different to each, but no less powerful. There is a feeling here of true awe, and you can see why millions of pilgrims come here each year.

The personal experiences of the acolytes varies, but it is Rego who is deeply touched by the power. His clerical training comes to the for, and he produces his Scoriada, the many tailed barbed whip of penance. He begins his ritual without hardly realizing it. The long blade is laid out before him as he begins his prayers. It is hours before he removes his robes, baring his scared back. Then he beings the lashing. The barbed Scoriada strikes his flesh over and over. Each time to rips open flesh and blood sprays about. As he pulls the whip forward some plashes on the blade. Then he strikes his back again harder each time. The pain is nearly unbearable, and his body suffers greatly under his own hand. Long after the rest of you are done, and move on to a small shanty town seeking food and drink Rego is still there. His body freezing as the night begins to set in and the truly cold weather settles over the area. Pilgrims and guards give him a wide berth as he kneels there, his legs cramped, his body suffering for now nearly twelve hours. When dawn arrives he covered in a rime frost, and frozen blood. His blade on the ground before him is coated in a crimson ice, and his head is bowed, his chin touching his chest.

Seeking him out the rest of you spy him up ahead, a wide circle around him with no one near to the cleric. You can't tell if he's alive or dead, but then Haxtes eye implant detects a faint fog of breath before his mouth.
You gotta do this up, you can't just make a weapon holy with a few prayers. Come on!

FYI: I have required several WP rolls to make it through the ritual
12,11,23 All successes to this point.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

MadVlat
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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by MadVlat » Fri Nov 15, 2013 4:14 pm

Rego rises to his feet with great effort, the cold knotting the musculature of his body. Ice having formed on his scruff as he has not shaved in nearly a week, the priest looks around through tired eyes. His voice is raspy from the constant prayers and frigidness encompassing the alter.

"We must seek a great evil. I have had a vision", he says with a weariness of tone; his teeth nearly chattering as he speaks. Without another word the priest gathers his things, the last of which is the great blade, turns and moves to a brazier that bares the mark of St. Drusus. Only the frost on his back now protects the holy man as he puts his back to the brazier and bows his head reverently and utters a few quiet words. Then raising his eyes upward he brings the sword to his purpled lips before hugging the weapon to his chest.

"AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!", the painful cry breaks the morning silence as Rego slams his bared back into the heated metal. The mark of St. Drusus searing into his flesh, before his knees give and he peels away from the brazier and almost collapses to the ground. The vision had shown him the way, the only way, to claim what he seeks and he must prepare himself for that journey.

Three steps and Rego slumps to the ground. The blackness embracing him as tightly as he grasps the frozen steel of his blade...
Figured with hunting season here. I would go in and out of conciousness (posting as I can). This will give the rest of PCs a chance to post while Rego heals...
...And the stone of the earth and the wind in the sky bowed before the wisdom of the Ancient One...

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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by Vardaen » Fri Nov 15, 2013 11:45 pm

As the group of Acolytes come to find Rego they are witness to his last throws of ritual. He topples over, burned, bloody, and frozen within your sight.
Rego is out. You guys can post finding him, etc
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: Maccabeus Quintus - The Shrine

Post by Grimbold » Sat Nov 16, 2013 12:44 am

Haxtes gasps in surprise. Too much emotion can shatter a man. Best not give in to it at all, he thinks calmly. Feelings just interfere with thinking. He bends down low to the cleric. "Do you want to be repaired? Yes. Cancel. Abort?"

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