Warp Wednesday 29: Steamtown

Gather, thralls and flesh-creatures, to listen to the story of Steamtown. It was not always the thriving necropolis it is today.

In 527AR, a group of prospectors from Cygnar located rich iron deposits within a hill westward of Blindwater. A small settlement was erected, and then grew, upon this hill. Soon, the settlement became a town and grew with industrial purpose. This town was named Steamtown.

The mines reached deeper into the hill. The deeper they dug, the thicker the bands of iron they found. They also began to run into sulfur pockets, which were both harmful and volatile. Although miners were falling ill, and fatal detonations began to be common, the mining continued.

Steamtown's morgue was run by a woman named Lilian, or Lily, and other than the gravedigger she worked alone. No one noticed the bodies go missing, with each of them assigned for cremation, it was almost too easy.

At the height of Steamtown's mortal life it provided great amounts of raw iron to the Cygnar capital. Being between two outposts, Steamtown's popularity with the kingdom grew, and dignitaries were sent into the Thornwood. Of course, Cygnar was not the only one who noticed the mines.

Lily was haunted by a being known to her only as Skar, who apparently was an emissary of his creator. Skar taught the mortician his master's lore of animation, Lilyy seemed to know half of the lessons already. When the delegation was set to arrive, Skar told her it was the time.

Ceremonies took place in a Steamtown glazed over with ornaments and streamers. The day was filled with cheers and speeches, while the evening was set to revelry. As Steamtown fell into a drunken sleep the morgue's doors opened and Lily began a stroll into town. Behind her came the town's dead.

Her thralls were crude creatures, just shambling automata bound to her will. Each of these zombies was built to contain a measure of sulfur and a mechanikal device. Lily was only one to watch the sun rise, but she had other things to do than watch the sun.

After her work was done, the townsfolk standing an undying guard inside the mines, she left. As agreed, Lily followed Skar to the Nightmare Empire, and was presented to Asphixious. She managed to stay in his favor, as his necrosurgeon, until his move to the mainland. She led the iron lich to the mines of her former life.

She saw that Steamtown had been repaired, likely by Khadorians, and then abandoned again. It was changed, but Skar and her were back home. The iron lich saw a more practical view. He ordered an underground complex made with mines and 'jack factory, it is called Helzforge.

Steamtown's ruins remain, picked clean and boobytrapped. The streets are infested by Lily's creations and the testing grounds for newly minted helljacks. Nice place to spend one's unlife.

Warp Wednesday 27: Odin Sigma-r37

Getting to know the 609th, the priesthood of the Machine God. The combat-ready maniple known as Odin Sigma-r37 (or Gear-heads to the troops) stand ready to lend the 609th Armour a hand (and servo).

Magos-primaris Diemos maintains all the command codes for the maniple and oversees the well-being of the super heavies. Diemos is seconded by the Inquisition to maintain the health of their land raiders.

Odin Primary's forges are renowned for the quantity and quality of the heavy armour they supply throughout Segmentum Obscurrus, supplying to such chapters as the Flesh Tearers as well as the Inquisition.

Accompanying Diemos are servitors of varying ages, acquired or replaced during his long service record.

Of late, Diemos has been taken to the more aggressive servitor models and riding in the Gorgon super-heavy when his presence is required on the battlefield.

Eldest of Sigma-r37 is Magos Teej, chief of the 609th's motorpool. Such designs as the Mk I-IX 'cityfight' chimera, the MK II-VI 'Odin-alfa' leman russ hull and Mk I-V Hurricane bolters are attributed to his research coven.

Teej views the battlefield as the testing lab for the newest upgrade. The servitors that he brings with him consist of heavy energy weapons and an array of technical servitors.

During the Phasian War, Teej has also taken the OPDF's warmachines under his care. The venerable machines of the defense force have never run better.

Adept Phoboes represents the Cybernetica arm of Odin's preisthood. He designs and maintains the servitors required to preform the 609th's labors. These servitors are spread across the army, from the ships in orbit to the gunners wired into their weapons. Adept Phoboes interacts the most with the Medicae, albeit morbidly.

His personal servitors are all elder models which have been constantly modified on all levels. He prefers to maintain two heavy bolter gunners at all times, to 'delete errors.'

His experiments include controlled mutation, ogryn-modification and the Penance Engine (an engine that consumes half the fuel when supplemented by te agony of an interred heretic).

"Come play with Dolly!" This phrase is often heard being bellowed by Alt-Ogre-Ultima as it leads its fellow ogryn-servitors into battle. The modified creatures have proven to be much more transportable and controllable once the small amount of frontal lobe was replaced.

The ogryn-servitors are used as a solid defense 'plug'. When the armour is threatened, the brutes are sent in to smash the attackers and fill the gap. They can often be found accompanying Diemos in the Gorgon.

And, the obligatory daemon-bunny picture!

Until next round, be well.

The Brotherhood of Edam - Grill

Brother Grillean, it is told, was the first to awaken after the Scattering. Resolute, and loyal to the Brotherhood's goals, Grill has always been most well known for his pyromania.

Unlike most veterans, Grill has never attempted to rise in martial rank, he has instead devoted his time to the Pyrae cult within the Brotherhood. He holds the rank of Magi Primaris within the cult.

Brother Grill supports the main terminator elements, supporting them with both flame and battlefield wisdom. His other shoulder plate displays the Two Serpents encircling the Eye, a hunter's sigil.

Brother Grillean is of the Second Seven, which comprises of the tactical element of the Brotherhood.

The Phasian War - Imperial Command (1)

Deep within the sanctums of the Inquisition House a small selection of Imperial servants met in the shadows. A single light strained to illuminate the stylized "I" of the Speaker's Stone. A general of the OPDF stood there now with a hand-held holo-projector.

"The attacks have been mainly concentrated on the South-East quarter of the Hive, surely we could take reinforcements from Hive Secondus." He paused to attempt to identify a response but the darkness thwarted him. "Since the first attack on 42 Gamma the Black Legion daemon has been kept at bay." Finished, he stepped from the light.

Lord Inquisitor Kaluha stepped onto the Speaking Stone. "No, we are outnumbered," his gaze fell upon the OPDF general, "if one marine is a hundred guardsmen. There are two legions who oppose us. And let us not forget the daemon world we have a gate to. Although they did attempt to redeem themselves, they are in the company of Peltops and that bastard Dragger."

"From the reports that Pilot had of the ordeal, the Wolfram are heretics if only a step too far." The Palatine of the Daughters of Odin stood in the glow of the Speaking Stone. "That is still a step too far and they must be punished. Although the threat of the xenos will worsen unless burned out." She scanned the shadows, " the Daughters are mobilizing to keep the purity of this planet."

Phoboes, fresh from the Mechanicus medicae, stepped up to speak. "I propose that Lord Inquisitor J Daniels lead the South-Eastern defense quarter, his expertise with the witch and connection with the Daughters will be optimal. 609th units will be deployed to support the main Hive."

And almost as though forgotten, "Edam has confirmed, no ETA."

Reporting From the Grim Darkness of the Future

As the Phasian War begins the Imperial populace needs to be told how the war is progressing. Vox Officer Leems is the guardsman on the front lines bringing you the Imperial Updates on RHG.

These are vox-stills from his third engagement with the OPDF, the first they have undertaken offworld.

Thanks, from VO Leems, the Imperial eye on the front line.

War of the Peacock

-Black Legion, Wolframs. You had some very interesting allies, Seer.-

-It was unavoidable Autarch. Without intervention the maiden world would have fallen, we would have lost the webway gate in the Phasian cloud. As it is we only have a tenacious hold.-

-Did you at least get Dragger? I see, he didn't show, that is...disappointing. Your little 'hunt' cost us the dragons and the spears, what did it cost them?-

-They weathered the storm, as did we.- The Seer looked directly into the eyes of the Autarch, -the Phasian gate is held, that will be all that matters.-

-You seers and your futures.- Jaher walked down the crystal path, his anger pooling at is feet, enough to power an Avatar. -Next time, Seer, consult the War Council.-

The ancient seer of Ulthwe smiled under his ghosthelm, -you would argue with the wisdom of Karandras?- Leaving Jaher in stunned silence Eldrad walked through the portal. Craftworld Apseraph vibrated with the Autarch's fury.


Wolframs Big Picture

Operation Looming Peacock

-What is our destination Seer?-
-That large black box.-

There was a noticeable psychic murmur, -the Box? We are taking the whole armada into the Box?-
-The Seer wants our assistance on a very distant world.- Seer Nivek raised he volume of his mind to encompass the host. -As you know, we are to meet the Wolframs again, not to kill them but to help.-
-Let the mon-keigh die.- -This is folly.- -They reek of the taint.-
-Silence!- Even the spirit stones quieted, -we will kill the ork, the daemon and any of their traitor's filth. But this day we are the Wolfram's allies.- Nivek paused, -and don't tell Autarch Jaher...he will be pissed.-

Ricalope.

Warp Wednesday 18: Whiptails

Hello all, time for another Wednesday!

We will continue getting to know the 609th, but this week, I will begin to discuss the subject of xenology. Xenology is study of xenos biology and cutures ranging from eldar to tyranids. Today's topic: Tyranid Whiptails (tyrannus ---- slicius).

The biomorph known as a whiptail is a simple one and not very common in many known Hive Fleets. The whiptail is a strong, almost metallic, hollow cord instead of the blunt tails of most tyranid organisms. They can be found in many different organisms, from rippers to carnefexes, although rarely in full swarms. Most commonly, a small percentage (2-5%) of a swarm exhibits this biomorph.

The cord contains two long muscles which allow it to coil rapidly, ensnaring potential prey. The end of a whiptail is hooked, allowing the organism to stab its prey repeatedly. Although it is not prehensile, a whiptail may be used for labor duties within the hive.

The whiptail does sacrifice some mobility for its viciousness. The end of a tyranid's tail grows dense, becoming a counterbalance, without this weight the beast moves slower and not as well balanced as its kin. Due to this, whiptailed tyranids are often found at the rear of the swarm, where they ensure all of the biomass they pass by is dead.

(and I am making digestion pits...)
Until the next warp storm hits, be well,
Ricalope.