Xenologist Campaign

[Cilestiel]

I am going to be starting a new campaign at some point soon, thought I would post some of the details here for people to see and read.

I am basing it on the Xenology book from a while ago, its one of my favoured books from the franchise with mystery and detail .

So Rather than a compound it will be based in a hive district, which allows for more ability for the players to be passing ships in the night.

They will each receive communication via Astropathic communication:

Player 1
Dispatch:: LORN INQ. GRUNDVALD (on behalf Conclave-Conservati)
Recipient: INQ. <Player 1 Name>
Date: 0.057.805.M41
Format: As'pathic(cipher)
Received: Astropath Sheena D'Reyx (aboard His Will Unbroken)
++ MISSION DISPATCH, IMMEDIATE EFFECT ++
Faithful <Player 1 Name> - time is short. Know this: your devotion to the Conclave has not passed unnoticed, and in this most urgent matter it is fitting that fate has best positioned you to carry it out. Discard whatever matters you attend to and hasten to the planet Biegal-9.
As a member of our circle you know we have enemies; enemies even among our fellows of the Ordo. Contention is the price of Idealism, and we Conservati place our ideals above all else. Know now that chief among our detractors has always been one INQUISITOR RALEI: a thug who has never concealed his Radical proclivity. He has devoted his life to studies of the most heinous abasement, and who has often expressed pleasure in the fraternity of Xenogens, and who - if our suspicions are solid - has attempted to gain covert access to the records of our own Conclave. In his life, we were unable to discredit him or even divine his movements. But now we may rejoice: Ralei is dead.
Since intercepting this welcome report, we in the Conclave have suppressed all news of the heretic's demise. Alas, it will not take long for Ralei's friends - powerful friends - to discover his death and attend to his legacy. We must act quickly to expose any trace of his foul deeds, thus casting disgrace upon his peers and strengthening our own brotherhood's standing within the Ordo.
Amongst Ralei's files there exists reference to a "Research Facility" on Biegel-9. Evidently, he assumed governance of this world and established for himself a private enterprise. There is no better place to seek evidence of his crimes. You have ten days, <Name>. We dare not conceal Ralei's death any longer. Get to Biegal-9, decommission this facility and record everything. The purity of the Ordo demands it. A serpent has grown strong in the company of lions, and it falls to you to smother its wickedness.
In the name of His race the Holy Emperor of Man,
LORD INQUISITOR GRUNDVALD, on behalf CONCLAVE-CONSERVATI
Thought begets heresy; heresy begets retribution

Player 2
The second player's astropath intercepts a partial transmission between the Conclave-Conservati and the first player. The transmission is corrupted and fragmented, providing just enough information to raise suspicion and draw the player to Biegal-9. Here's the exact intercepted message:

Dispatch: LORN INQ. GRUNDVALD (on behalf Conclave-Conservati)
Recipient: INQ. Unknown
Date: 0.056.805.M41
Format: As'pathic (Cipher - Corrupted)
Received: Astropath Sheena D'Reyx (Relay Disrupted)
++ PARTIAL TRANSMISSION, DATA CORRUPTED ++
...Faithful... time is short... urgent matter... hasten to... planet Biegal-9.
...enemies among our fellows of the Ordo... Idealism... INQUISITOR RALEI... covert access...
...Ralei is dead... friends - powerful friends - to discover his death and attend to his legacy...
...suppressed all news... "Research Facility" on Biegal-9... established... private enterprise...
...better place... evidence... Ralei's crimes... ten days...
...dare not conceal Ralei's death any longer... Biegal-9... record everything...
...Serpent... company of lions...
...falls to you... defend the work... critical information...
++ END OF TRANSMISSION ++

And another from their own group

Astropathic Relay from: LORD INQUISITOR VEDRIC HALE (on behalf The Veritas)
Recipient: INQ. <Player 2 Name>
Date: 0.058.805.M41
Format: As'pathic (Ciphered)
Received: Astropath Morwin Rel'nor (Deep Void Relay)
++ CIPHER BRIEF - EYES ONLY ++
Inquisitor <Player 2 Name>,
You are known for your keen insight and adaptability. This communication comes to you with utmost urgency: Biegal-9 is at the center of a power struggle within the Ordo. Inquisitor Ralei's death has triggered a scramble for his secrets—secrets the Conclave-Conservati seek to erase. They would see his work buried, and with it, the knowledge that could shift the balance of power within the Ordo.
If you move swiftly, you may reach the facility before it is compromised. Secure what you can, and you will possess not only the fruits of Ralei's research but also a weapon to wield against those who would see you powerless. The Ordo's purity may be an illusion, but power is not. Tread carefully, for you are not the only one moving against them.
++ END MESSAGE ++

So I will be giving each of the players a choice as to what they do, do they go straight away, do they try to find out more information and delay their departure?

I am Placing together the missions now and I have my warband creation with them next week, so I will update this thread accordingly.

[MarcoSkoll]

I haven't read Xenology in years; I had a friend's copy on loan years back, but I haven't had a chance since. (Actually, I haven't heard from him in years).

But the idea of trying to smear an Inquisitor after his death in the hope that some of it sticks to his allies is indeed an interesting one.

I'll be interested to hear how it all turns out.

[Charax]

I LOVE Xenology! It's genuinely one of my favourite books GW has ever produced (and not just because it helped kill off a decade of Hrud = Space Skaven memes)
So which of your players' characters is secretly a necron lord? 

Hmm...with all those "blacker than black" paints out there, making a convincing Umbra model might be possible...