Darkness and Light New Rp Recruiting

[Koval]

For want of something to do, I'll compile one if one isn't compiled before I go to bed

EDIT: To save our benevolent GM the bother, here's a list of people whose characters Necris has either approved or, at the very least, given a cursory once-over:

-Dreki, mercenary/sniper (CorpusWolf)
-Matthew "Calibre" Sword, sniper/investigator (Octavian)
-Cymone "Gala" Regin, former hive militia/Inquisition operative (Marco)
-Severino Valdez, sanctioned psyker/Kavorka Man (Koval)
-Corsten Godday, former Progenium (Van Helser)
-Rebekah Ellis, Sister Dialogus (Macabre)
-Lina Secundus, Mechanicus adept (Sargoth)
-Dendara Nachtigaller, Administratum editor (Dolnikan)

Hopefully that's everyone who's so far posted, and hopefully I got it right with the approval/cursory once-over thing.

[Necris]

Thank's Koval

I appear to be suffering with a bit of RL at the moment I'll make an attempt to get the next IC post sorted tomorrow during mini man's naps

[Macabre]

There's a worrying lack of combat-trained personal for the cell's protection :s.

[Koval]

I count four actual fighty types, but everyone's presumably had some level of combat training, even if it just amounts to which way round you hold your laspistol.

[MarcoSkoll]

While we've not got many people in bulky armour hefting heavy stubbers, I'd say we've got a reasonable balance of people who know how to handle themselves in a fight.

~~~~~

Ah, I've just realised that I never made some comments on Octavian's character due to a power cut, so time for some firearms waffle:

His talents were in shots from long range (?often 2/2.5 miles?)

While it's common to see film and video game characters described as able to hit from two miles, but in practice sniping at two miles (or more) is pretty much the ballistic equivalent of the three minute mile. There are only two confirmed sniper kills that exceed a mile and a half, and neither by much: CoH Craig Harrison of the Household cavalry (2475m, who needed nine ranging shots first) and Corporal Rob Furlong of the Canadian Light Infantry (2430m, who took three attempts - although to be fair, shot 2 did hit his target's backpack).

There's something of a glass ceiling to sniper ranges in the actual physical mechanics of both how far you can chuck a bullet lethally and how far you can chuck a bullet accurately. (Not such a problem with a long las, but your guy is a solid projectile person.)

The bigger niggle is that he's a hive worlder. Lines of sight that long just don't exist in hives, and outside of hives, there's not much to shoot at. (And interstellar travel is the privilege of the few.)
But rather than debate over what would be appropriate, I'd just say there's no real need to specify some superlative range. Just say he's a long range marksman without putting numbers on it.

Ah, and that reminds me - is he a marksman or a sniper? (A lot of people use "sniper" to mean either, so I just need to check what exactly you want it to mean.)

Assault rifle (M16/AK47)
SMG (P90)

One note on your descriptions: The M16 and the AK47 are really too different to use in that kind of comparison, as they have next to nothing in common other than both being common.
(Also, I think of the P90 as a PDW, but opinions do vary.)

But my real point is that M16 and P90 equivalents seem a bit out of place in the armoury of a self confessed calibre-phile, as their cartridges are both designed for low weight/recoil over kinetic energy.

[Koval]

Assault rifle (M16/AK47)
SMG (P90)

One note on your descriptions: The M16 and the AK47 are really too different to use in that kind of comparison, as they have next to nothing in common other than both being common.
(Also, I think of the P90 as a PDW, but opinions do vary.)

But my real point is that M16 and P90 equivalents seem a bit out of place in the armoury of a self confessed calibre-phile, as their cartridges are both designed for low weight/recoil over kinetic energy.

This, and once Wikipedia's out of blackout I'd recommend having a gander over there, then once you've found something, corroborating your findings with info from some other source (manufacturer's website, for example) on the same item. Keep in mind, though, that if it's too big then you might be looking at a LMG or SAW rather than just an assault rifle.

With your assault rifle, it sounds to me like you're looking for something closer to this than either of the M16 or AK-47.

[Inquisitor Octavian Lars]

My idea was: 1 long range sniper (AW SM) OR 1 Rapid fire rifle (undecided)
1 high mobility weapon (High rof (p90)) or (good stopping power(m1 carbine))
1 sidearm (big revolver or high rof uzi)

[Koval]

My idea was: 1 long range sniper (AW SM) OR 1 Rapid fire rifle (undecided)

A guy in the US military that I know from another forum claims to use a Barrett M82. While an anti-materiel rifle is arguably overkill, it did prompt me to look at slightly smaller sniper rifles; I'd suggest looking at something like the American M39 or the German HK417 for something to build upon.

1 high mobility weapon (High rof (p90)) or (good stopping power(m1 carbine))

You might want to look at shotguns if you want good stopping power.

1 sidearm (big revolver or high rof uzi)

Err, Uzis aren't really "sidearms" -- the full size Uzi is a proper SMG (which would actually fit better in the above category!), and I'll warrant that you'd want to hold even the smaller types with both hands. Consider high-calibre pistols or, as you've suggested, larger revolvers (which again you'd probably want to hold two-handed). Marco will probably correct me here, but I'd look for .45 calibre or bigger.

[Inquisitor Octavian Lars]

thanks, will look into the weapons, but I like the AW SM!

[Koval]

Well that's fair enough, but that still leaves a bit of fluidity on everything else you want.

Also keep in mind that no matter what you want to model your character's weapons on, the actual weapons you use as a baseline (the AWSM for example) will no longer exist in the grim darkness of the far future, at least not as we'd know them. There's likely to be something very similar floating around, but nobody in the 40Kverse would have a clue what an AWSM actually is.

[Inquisitor Octavian Lars]

NAME: Matthew "Caliber" Sword
PHYSICAL STATS:
Age: 654973. M41
Place of Birth: Hyperion Hive spires, Velterax III
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 84kg
Physical appearance: Type III skin, Dark green eyes, neck length black hair, Thick-set build

Large scar on the left cheek, several other scars around the body
Attire: Knee length black trenchcoat, black balaclava, black belt with several pouches, ammo bandoleer, large black rucksack, thick black gloves.

Always wears a necklace with a bolt round on it.

HISTORY:
- 973.M41: Born the heir of the influential Sword family
- 982.M41: Is given his first gun, a semi-automatic pistol and is a natural with it
- 988.M41: Acquires several other weapons and starts to take a great interest in them, to  the irritation of his family.
- 991.M41: Mathews parents give birth to another child and he is ignored, thus, he runs away into the hive to put his talent for guns to good use.
- 996.M41: Has acquired renown across the hive for his ability to reliably kill a target from aprox. 1.5 miles and other gun-slinging tricks and gains the nickname night-stalker after his jet black trenchcoat
- 999.M41: Matthew is hired by a large mining company to assassinate his father, he rebukes and shoots his would-be boss to be in the face, then running into Inquisitor Octavian Lars who hires him to assist in his investigations.
- 000.M42: Leaves Octavian Lars' service and joining the veltraxian assassin corp and serves with distinction for a whole decade, gaining a deadly reputation with high calibre AMRs and other large guns.
- 010.M42: Is hired as a hunter-killer by Inquisitor Creed, Mellisan secundus is his first assignment under Creed

PERSONALITY:

A loner amongst a pack of lone wolves, he is cunning beyond measure and has steadfast determination to his target/ task. Will often take his own initiative and bend or even break the rules. Will take insane risks, but will follow his orders without fear of death.
Quirks/Notes:
- Incredibly quiet, uses military jargon wherever possible and sticks to the shadows (hence night-stalker).
- Only has extended conversations with Creed to report actions, otherwise only acknowledges orders, but when he speaks, it is wise to listen to his ideas.
GM ONLY:Has a bit of a thing for Gala
Keywords: Phlegmatic (in the extreme), disciplined, Cunning, antisocial, Quiet, Risk taking, Loyal.

ABILITIES/SKILLS:
Is a crack shot with a rifle and is a fast sprinter. He is strong, but rarely shows it. Part of his success as a hired assassin came from is ability to interrogate those related to the target to find out their activities.
Also is a master of urban camouflage and is well at home in the underhive.
EQUIPMENT:
 
.338 Sword Firearms Heavy Sniper Rifle with Multiscope (telescopic infrascope)
Manufactured by his father's company and supplied by the assassin corps, this rifle is one of Matthew's favourite possessions as his last link to home. Ammunition is scarce, but the rounds often have many unique properties.

Adams & Sweetmore .30 Assault gun
A weapon that suited the heavy firepower assault role that was lacking from his equipment. This was the first weapon he acquired outside of the Velterax sector at Creed's behest.

Unknown make 5.56mm Urban combat system
Given to Matthew by Octavian Lars after his first mission, this gun boasts a high rate of fire and is compact with high ammunition capacity though it lacks the impressive stopping power of most of his weapons.

twin magazine Pump Shotgun
Used when short range but high stopping power are required, this shotgun has 2 magazines, 1 loaded with airburst rounds and the other with heavy expander rounds that can take a man down in 1 hit.

8mm Sword "rapier" Repeater handgun
His first gun which he has owned for nigh on 30 years with some repairs. This gun is used only in emergencies due to it's age, but it has an impressive rate of fire and custom extended magazine.

.45 A&S Revolver
Bought though an outlet on velterax III this revolver is loaded with specialist AP rounds that can punch through most flak armour as if it was nothing, as well as this, it's stopping power is increased by the light (0.5g) explosive frag charge timed to go off 1 microsecond after impact.

Thick Trenchcoat
Has ceramite plates to cover heart and lungs. Is worn and passes him off as a hive ganger in most case.

60ltr rucksack
Has a multitude of pockets for supplies, ammunition and evidence. Can also carry 1 of: shotgun or UCS
Also has mag clips for HSR or assault gun

Optical enhancer system
tied round the head like goggles.
see these ] http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=military+night+vision+goggles&num=10&um=1&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHFX_en-GBGB462GB462&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=G84uPwC_0prm1M:&imgrefurl=http://www.nivisys.com/en/products/view/pvs_14/&docid=JQSQ11IxKwvN6M&imgurl=http://www.nivisys.com/en/products_images/large/pvs14_2.jpg&w=770&h=715&ei=sDcXT5WiNcScOquioPQD&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=533&vpy=101&dur=576&hovh=216&hovw=233&tx=106&ty=123&sig=105131254569434520484&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=148&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0[here]

Smallish stuff: Utility knife, bio auspex, basic medicae supplies, high detail picter, sound recorder.

[MarcoSkoll]

1 high mobility weapon (High rof (p90)) or (good stopping power(m1 carbine))

The M1 Carbine is not exactly "high mobility", given that it's nearly three feet long. It's not exactly very high on the stopping power front either.

More solid choices on the high mobility front for a calibre-phile would be things like:

The Magpul PDR: About the same size as the P90, but it's chambered in 5.56mm - which, while not very impressive in an assault rifle, is one hell of a cartridge for a PDW. There's the future possibility of it using up-rated cartridges like 6.8mm SPC or 6.5mm Grendel too, in which case you'd get more firepower than an M16 in a package half the size.

The Keltec RFB: A bullpup rifle chambered in 7.62mm NATO. The carbine version is about 66cm long, and produces about 2,000 ft-lbf at the muzzle. That's nearly 10 inches shorter than the M1 Carbine, but over twice the muzzle energy. Normally, this is semi-automatic only, but there's no real reason a full-auto variant couldn't exist.

The TDI Vector: A .45 calibre SMG with a somewhat bizarre recoil compensating mechanism. In the prototype versions, rates of fire hit 1500 rounds a minute (scaled back to a still generous 1000 rpm for the production version). Fairly short (particularly with its folding stock) with a big round, good rate of fire and easy recoil.

The Alexander Arms Beowulf: A variant of the M4 carbine redesigned to fire the .50 Beowulf round, twice as energetic as the native 5.56mm. However, about 30 inches long, so not really the peak of manoeuvrability. Magazine capacity also suffers, with only a 10 round capacity compared to the 30 rounds you'd normally get in an M4 magazine. The slower, less aerodynamic round also has a lesser effective range of only a couple of hundred metres.

Marco will probably correct me here, but I'd look for .45 calibre or bigger.

Calibre equalling power is a bit of a myth.

.45 ACP is less energetic than, for example, the smaller .357 SIG or 10mm Auto. While it's a big round, it's fairly slow, one of the few common calibres that's usually subsonic. A good cartridge though and I'd agree in so much as you should be looking at about .45 calibre or more powerful (as opposed to "bigger").

And definitely agree on the Uzi =/= sidearm thing. They're bulky SMGs, not pistols.

~~~~~

Anyway, on to the new character post:

That is a lot of ACOG scopes, including some on things where it isn't exactly appropriate (i.e. the shotgun).

Also, what is that "30mm Assault gun" supposed to be? 30mm is grenade or autocannon round territory. i.e. something launched at low velocity that relies on explosive power, or something with far too much energy to be man-portable.

EDIT: Also, you need to check that last list, as you've copied it straight from Gala and there's a lot of stuff in there that's not appropriate for him.

OTHER NOTE: The forum background is not black, and black text does not hide against it. Not that it's the kind of thing that should be kept secret from the players, given they will have to write him on occasions...

[Koval]

Marco will probably correct me here, but I'd look for .45 calibre or bigger.

Calibre equalling power is a bit of a myth.

.45 ACP is less energetic than, for example, the smaller .357 SIG or 10mm Auto. While it's a big round, it's fairly slow, one of the few common calibres that's usually subsonic. A good cartridge though and I'd agree in so much as you should be looking at about .45 calibre or more powerful (as opposed to "bigger").

Granted, but my impression of Matthew was that he was fairly interested in high-calibre weapons, regardless of whether that translates to actual stopping power, possibly because that myth is easy to perpetuate.

Also, what is that "30mm Assault gun" supposed to be? 30mm is grenade or autocannon round territory. i.e. something launched at low velocity that relies on explosive power, or something with far too much energy to be man-portable.

I also find this a little odd -- he's lugging the 40Kverse equivalent of an aircraft gun around on his back.

---

12.7x99mm Sword Firearms Heavy Sniper Rifle with Multiscope (telescopic infrascope)

12.7x99mm ammunition tends to go in an anti-materiel rifle, which would need a fair bit of setting up before firing (unless you have a fair amount of augmentation). It isn't really something you'd use against a person unless you want to simulate making a headshot with a bolter -- light vehicles and military hardware would be more realistic targets for that thing.

Unknown make 9mm Urban combat system (with ACOG scope)

I'm really not sure about the name of this thing, if only because a quick Google of "Urban Combat System" comes up with references to MMA and Krav Maga among other things -- which is to say, unarmed combat styles rather than ranged weaponry.

.45 A&S Revolver
Bought though an outlet on velterax III this revolver is loaded with incredibly rare PB (phosphor beta) rounds that can punch through most flak armour as if it was nothing, as well as this, it's stopping power is increased by the light (0.5g) explosive frag charge timed to go off 1 microsecond after impact.

What you've got here is a poor man's bolt pistol. The bullets don't need to be as rare as you suggest they are, seeing as we currently have hollow-point bullets (and explosive ammunition!) in reality, so the ammo for this gun could just be somewhere between a contemporary (albeit more effective) hollow-point and an armour-piercing round -- which, considering that the Imperium has 39,000 years on us puny earthlings, is by no means impossible. IIRC, an old sample-character called Damian Bloodhound had rather laughably named Expander bullets, which were exactly that.

I know you've mentioned that Matthew will be carrying only two or three weapons at any one time, but even with some of the ones he has at his disposal, he's going to be seriously weighed down. I'd have a think about what Matthew really needs to carry around with him, and what isn't actually necessary for his character. He's not Rambo.

---

OTHER NOTE: The forum background is not black, and black text does not hide against it. Not that it's the kind of thing that should be kept secret from the players, given they will have to write him on occasions...

Exactly. I've made absolutely no secrets of who Severino is interested in (ie, everybody, with the exception of Lina), so the sort of info you're trying to hide is hardly worth the bother of hiding.

[Inquisitor Sargoth]

Exactly. I've made absolutely no secrets of who Severino is interested in (ie, everybody, with the exception of Lina), so the sort of info you're trying to hide is hardly worth the bother of hiding.

Pah. Just because she has no sex drive (or organs) to speak of...

My own terrible love for TV Tropes has led to my updated bio including a variety of distracting and fun links as well. I've also fleshed out a few bits, cyborged out others and added a 'Writing Tips' part for when other players have to take control.  

[Macabre]

Exactly. I've made absolutely no secrets of who Severino is interested in (ie, everybody, with the exception of Lina), so the sort of info you're trying to hide is hardly worth the bother of hiding.

Good luck with trying it on Rebekah either, she has a trick or two at keeping a witch out of her head, and being a cloistered soroita will mean she is practically ironclad with her chastity.