[Koval]

I interpret "when they're expecting tougher opposition" as "quite often", insofar as many Malleus and Xenos types are concerned

But how many of those Inquisitors you're claiming to be underpowered actually are Malleus or Xenos, and how often do the run-in fluff and their actual games actually include that tougher opposition?

I don't even play Inquisitor any more because when I did, people would get jumped on for having things that you'd honestly expect characters to have ("why does he have that chainsword?"*). It's actually really easy to drive the power level down to the point where there's barely any difference between an Inquisitor and a dirt poor cultist or hive ganger. There's absolutely every reason for campaigns to involve daemonic / xeno characters (I'm using the word character rather loosely here, mind) and somehow we're talking about something on a level of one bunch of guys meeting another bunch of guys.

I up-gun when the game needs it, not as a matter of routine.

I'm fine with that being a valid approach, but I still can't help but think that
A) an Inquisitor would be extremely naïve not to expect trouble at every turn
B) there are perfectly valid reasons for characters to have equipment that somehow is frowned upon

I'm not really looking to prolong this argument, however, so while I did specify a rough power level in the original post, let's just agree to disagree on expected power levels as it's less messy that way.

*Actually a real example from a group I was part of at uni, said about someone's Inquisitor -- it didn't last long, though that's because people were more interested in getting pissed than running a game.

[Dolnikan]

I just posted another short part, mostly about the reactions to the space battle. Meanwhile I'm thinking about the features of Semplice's 'wheelchair' and have started modelling him.

[Koval]

Seems cool. I'm just waiting for Sargy to post something (which he outlined in a PM to me earlier) and then we can get on the ground.

[Inquisitor Sargoth]

Probably a few typos for me to zap, but... postage!

Far, far more descriptive and floweriy than I normally allow. I really hope the second part, for all its brevity, pulls off the sense of scale and majesty I'm aiming for. One of the big themes of the 40Kverse is stagnation, the loss of a better past, and I wanted evoke this. Also note that Sonneillon has effectively committed deicide here...

Demeter is a wreck. Once she would probably have gone toe-to-toe with a Grand Cruiser but she's effectively unmanned, rudderless. She could be utterly destroyed, left to drift in space or slam into the planet's surface. Up to you guys! Zagan would find little use in taking her over, as even he probably can't stop her from spinning and half of her weapons are broken. It's possible he might struggle to possess such an ancient vessel - again, up to you.

[Koval]

Currently, Archduke Gordian's poised to take it out (because Zagan's not too thrilled about it suddenly dropping in), but whether it ever makes it is up to other people. If it does, then two ships of that size slamming into each other would probably yield results similar to what Vargas is worried about, just because of the sheer amount of energy involved when two ships counting their mass in megatons collide at (potentially) high speed.

I would've posted a life pod scene as well, but it didn't seem right with the tone of everything else in that post -- I might land tomorrow if I get home in good time. Herald, you've got free choice between a bolt pistol, a plasma pistol and a hand flamer if you want Ambrose to borrow one of Haines' guns.

[Koval]

double

Necris, just one thing to keep in mind -- I'd already had Narl suggest that Vargas send out a distress beacon (as it seemed the most sensible thing to do, based on what you put in his profile about him being more of a thinker than most Marshals).

Having sent it, somehow she's got to expect Narl telling her off for doing what he told her to do. At best, Vargas will think that Narl is schizophrenic, and at worst, she'll consider him an idiot.

As such, Vargas is probably not going to take kindly to Silon "reminding her of her duty", though Silon is of course very welcome to try.

[Necris]

I know but she's not done much else Narl just wants to give an unsubtle reminder to Vargas

[Koval]

Not from what we've seen -- however, keeping a tight handle on her own ship and Claymore Squadron is a lot more than the rest of the fleet's officers can say, what with Zagan sitting there in his Exorcist (which does have a name, but it's being masked by the IFF). Besides which, as much as this is going to sound like a Nuremberg Defense, all she's doing is what Burnett and later Narl told her to do.

Oddly enough, if this keeps up then Vargas is likely to end up either as Public Enemy #1 (because she'll probably thump Silon* if he says the wrong thing), or as an accidental supporting character rather than as a bit-part.

I'm not saying don't do it, but I would just like to make it clear that Narl's got Silon barking up the wrong tree.


Herald, Marco -- Just over four minutes until landing, so feel free to post where we end up.


*She really doesn't like the Arbites. She considers the Commissariat a necessary evil; on the other hand she'd rather the Arbites kept their noses out of Naval matters as she can get by just fine without their input.

[Koval]

double

Apologies for no activity tonight on my part. I'm busy lesson-planning. Will post over the weekend, assuming nobody else wants to do a landing scene.

Incidentally, if anyone wants to make stuff up, feel free, as there's a lot of blank canvas if anyone does. I've got a plan, of course, but it's your story too.

[Koval]

triple

Andreas is off into Coveton. If anyone wants to join him, feel free, in spite of Haines' suggestion.

Herald: The life pod has more lasguns than you'll ever need, unless you think Ambrose can carry twenty without falling over
Marco: I'm probably misrepresenting Hallona here, but I imagine that three men fussing over her would probably cause her to get a bit cranky...
Dolnikan: Feel free to set yourself down wherever.
Octavian: Will you be joining us, or are you landing somewhere else?
Sargy, Necris: Three guesses what the bright flash was, and the first two don't count...

[MarcoSkoll]

Marco: I'm probably misrepresenting Hallona here, but I imagine that three men fussing over her would probably cause her to get a bit cranky...

Normally, she'd relish such a thing. She's fully aware that she's a highly attractive woman and not shy about using it. However, given the concussion, her irritability and denial are far more appropriate.

[Dolnikan]

I will write a landing scene, Semplice will come down somewhere around Coveton.

Edit: I wrote the landing scene.

[MarcoSkoll]

I've written a scene from the bridge of the Sword of Integrity and the landing of Steren and Jael's pod (evidently somewhat further way, presumably on the Coracian sea, for which I have taken the liberty of assuming some visually impressive cliffs). Text colour will come later.

In any case, Steren is supposed to have a pinch of the James Cameron Terminator to her, being a bit cold and indifferent (her coping method for being subjected to the emotions of others constantly), analysing situations in a rather inhuman way (due to her telepathy), as well as being inhumanly strong and tough (at least if she's had a moment to attain her psychic focus).

That's your vague baseline for writing her, but like said Terminators, she can also do a pretty convincing impression of being normal if she has to.

[Koval]

I've got to redraw the coast now, seeing as Andreas thought that they would overshoot the city and then hit the coast...

I'm going to assume there's a part of the coast that curves back on itself, and Steren's landed there.

Other than that, I like your post, although I just mindscrewed myself into thinking that Steren was a hot blonde (she's not -- you've mentioned her as having black hair)

[Koval]

double

Octavian: Just one little thing -- I've been having the Hammer of Justice plug away at the Resaena for quite a while, so one would hope those macrobatteries are reloading rather than just starting to get a lock.

If you want to mention escorts, then Templar Squadron (minus Templar Alpha now, so three Cobras) are still on your side, but the other escorts are either destroyed (Foehammer and Manticore Squadrons) or retreating (Claymore and Cyclone Squadrons).