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!
Within the privacy of the transport, Merica withdraws her ID and passport. Her scars are muted with makeup now. She removes her hair tie, and as she glances at the image of her countenance on the laminated card, leaving her forward tresses hanging loose and straight, she brushes her side hair down behind her ears, her cobalt-painted nails eliciting a muted ting from each of her small silver earrings as they touch, and regathers her ponytail.
She closes her eyes and lowers her head in quiet reverence when the cathedral looms overhead. Apart from the biting of the inside of her cheek, steady respiration is the only motion interrupting her stillness. The death of the vehicle's rumbling signals the end of her meditation, and she opens her eyes.
Outside, her eyes rise with awe to the sheer sides of the edifice all aglow, and back down to Abbot Jurutas as he introduces himself. She nods humbly at his offer. "Indeed, abbot. Thank you for receiving us." She makes small talk, mindful of the ears of prying novices. "Your cathedral is even more impressive up close. It is a lustrous wonder to behold."
Armor and weapons stowed. Keeping sidearm.
Alter ego: Vayna Palgrave, highborn of minor wealth, traveling abroad
Attire: gaudy, expensive clothes noticeably shy of what's in fashion. Low block heels, currently worn.
Hair: short ponytail, hair by the temples left as tresses. Imagine Agrias Oaks, but shortened to that of PC avatar, and without the massive braid.
Damien makes the sign of the Aquila reverently to the cleric. "And may the work of the Holy Ordos and the Adeptus Ministorum together always bring glory to He Who Sits on the Golden Throne."
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."
Haxtes just nods. No need to say anything now. He is wearing his usual black techpriest robes, which conceal his arrangement of weapons. His black hood conceals most of his face.
Alter Ego: Magos Brother Harold Nox, from the Lathe Worlds. He has been trained by one of the Mechanicus weapons manufactoria and can be hired as a consultant for weapon systems technology for different parties who pay the Adeptus Mechanicus adequately for it. Thus, he has worked for various Rogue Traders, the Ecclesiarchy, some Merchant Organisations, and the Arbites. Right now, he is an advisor to Vanya Palgrave.
"Excellent, come then, let's break bread together and speak of your purpose here." He leads you inside to a small chamber near the front of the cathedral, there he has a few acolytes serve you a modes meal. It is not impressive, nor failing in any way. There is notably wine, a local variety grown on the 'edge of the light' which gives the grapes a strange sweetness. With that done and out of the way, he regard you, "How may we assist you? I was told of your arrival, but not of your duties or mission. I don't know what aid I can give you, but let's find out shall we?"
"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
Damien looks around and makes sure that only the Abbot is within earshot. "Well, Abbot, we'll get right to the chase. We come from Sepheris Secundus, after purging a corrupt noble house. House Thrungg had been turned by Chaos. The head of their house had bonded with a daemonic arm, and he claimed it made him one with a creature called the Dei-Phage." He makes a sign of warding against evil. "After we killed him, his records clearly pointed to a connection with the 'temple of gold, with a heart of coal'. From the ravings, they could be interpreted both that the daemon intends to overthrow this temple on his path to ascension. Also, that there might be a 'heart of coal' within the temple. Traitors from within."
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."
Water will do for Lady Palgrave, she will not try the wine.
She will be careful to speak about their business so that others can't overhear. "You will facilitate our surreptitious investigation. You will inform us of anything relevant, be it information or whatever you have witnessed."
Haxtes, being Haxtes, says nothing and just observes the Abbot and his reaction to Damien's information. HIa hands are calmly folded in the sleeves of his robes and his mechadendrites lie in their standby position on his back. Only his red mechanical eye and his blue natural one look at the abbot.
Jericus coughs a few times, he's been looking pale since you started on the Lander from the Rogue Trader in orbit. His eyes are a bit bloodshot, and sunken. He nods to Damien as the man speaks the purpose of the visit.
The Abbot looks worried, and makes the sign of the Aquila over his heart when word of Chaos infiltrating a noble house is spoken. "My, that does seem serious. I assure you that this temple is not the one you seek. The Gilded Cathedral is holy and sanctified, and is home to a rare and holy relic that keeps it pure and free of influence. However, we have a great librarium here, on all matter of other temples and cathedrals on Baraspine. If this Dei-Phage is atone of them, I'm certain I can help you locate it through our texts."
"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
