As we last left our group, they had just finished molesting their prisoner and got back in their Chimera to continue their epic journey. Unfortunately, as is the case with internet gaming, two mofos were absent on their second session. So if you notice a lack of lines for Gorn (left halfway through) and Hiram, you'll know what's up.
Initializing DH module:
After a long and boring journey, the Chimera finally arrived in Ghostsprings in one piece with its cargo intact (that scored us bonus XP btw, HELLZ YEAH). They barely managed to step out, when they were greeted by some cheesy voice-acting:
: Kind of you to choose your tomb!
: ...
: ...
: *gulp*
...
: I meant the tomb you've come to study, of course, acolytes.
I am Master Chief Quoderat, bonded emissary to the Belasco Forgeworks.
: That's all cool an' stuff Chief, but I've heard your ramblings one too many times. Now if you'll excuse me, I got myself a garage date with one lady Chimera.
: I believe I have the same date. *wink*
: I shall accompany you on this workshop orgy you mention.
They all step back aboard the Chimera and park inside the nearby garage.
: So, what can you tell us about that Dig™?
: Very little, I'm afraid. As much as I'd like to spend some time alone with Lilith, she and her Mechanicus don't take kindly to me and my presence here. A shame, she is a fine woman really.
: I guess no one really wants to share.
: The ruins themselves are nothing special, possibly xeno origin but nothing too interesting about them. Two months they've been digging this pit and nothing to show for it... That's probably why they brought me in.
: What exactly do the Belasco Forgeworks want with the ruins?
: Money, dear boy. Now if you need me, I'll be in my lavish lodgings down the road.
: Your house is shit, by the way.
: ... quite. Now if you'll excuse me.
So everybody then goes to sleep cause it's way past their bed time. This was just day 1 of the trip here, and if you've paid attention so far, you'd know they have 6 days left to find out what's going on in this town. Also, this is around the time that they received all those shitty papers that root distributed in the OP. They have that map too.
WHEN SUDDENLY
: CHHHHHHH-- Come in. Come in. Can you hear me? -HHHHHHHC
: Que pasa, Atellus?
: Nothing, nevermind. The narrator already gave you them dataslates and map. *sigh* Night, then.
The sun shines in the party's fucking faces as dawn breaks over Ghostprings. Atellus, Gasket, Hiram and Haakon are nowhere to be seen, although a letter with Atellus' handwriting has been left, telling you that he's attending to some matters at the Administratum HQ. A clever ruse to continue the orgy, no doubt.
: Well, gentlemen, I suppose we have to start somewhere. I suggest we go see the Sisters.
: Why would we want to see the Sist--
: *nudges* You know, the
Sisters! Damn rookie.
: Ooooh, right. But I'm broke. And what if they haven't been tested recently?
: NO YOU FOOLS, The Adepta Sororitas, not some common whorehouse! We march to the hymns of the Ecclesiarchy!
: Don't yell at me you goddamn wannabe.
: I WILL BURN Y--
: Now now, lass. He's just a scum, you know. Now let's be off before Misch arrives and guts us all.
But they actually went off to see the Mechanicus, cause this party is as disorganised and schizophrenic as the great hero Madhatta was. Well, almost. Free of crippling fatigue penalties, they finally had a chance to take in the town of Ghostsprings. Sprawling perhaps a kilometre in every direction, derelict shacks and crude stone buildings dotting the landscape, it was about the closest thing to civilisation for 800 km. In the distance, many rabbit-like peasants toil the field like slaves. Damn them all. On the way to the Mechanicus HQ, passing by the central plaza, these timewasters stop for a second to take in the Temple of the Emperor Triumphant. A grandiose monolith, sublime in its form and decorated with seals of praise to the Emperor. It's actually pretty shitty. Nearby, some kind of doom-preacher, guarded by a fetish-worthy Celestian, was holding a sermon to the sheeple.
: Let's hear a bit of the preaching, see what it's about.
: Anything for more time to stare down that mamacita with him. I think she's checkin' me out, esses.
: Oh my Emprah! That's Clevius Valerius there, and he's preaching live!
: Joo know this man?
: Of course! I have all his pict-slates: "True Doctrine Stories", "We will be martyrs!" and a limited-edition copy of "Run to the Emperor".
: Let's just go to the Mechanicus.
+
: *forever alone*
The place is guarded by a lot of skiitari, which are tech-fighters, who fight with tech. Inside the building, the acolytes are offered some booze by a resident servitor, and are treated to an amazing painting of a triangle. SUDDENLY a woman clad in the red and white robes of a Magos comes down the stairs. Her hands have been replaced by bionics her scalp and genitals have been shaven and covered in plugs. Like all in the service of
Cthulhu the Mechanicus, tubes run up from her chest to her trachea, and two mechadendrites are above her shoulders. Half the codex would fuck her anyway, so whatever.
: Ah, acolytes! Delighted to make your acquaintance! I am Magos Lilith, but I'm sure you already know that.
Me and your master Your master and I (you illiterate fuck) go a long way back, you know? Hihihi...
: *kisses her hand*
: *kisses her hand*
: You there, ecclesiarch!
: Yes?
: *gives mean look*
They all go to some kind of gay spa.
: Pardon our disruption, seniorita, but we've come to ask about the ruins, and about the suerte of our missing bros.
: *takes sip*
Satan Indeed, that was most distraughting. We do not even know if they are dead. We do not even know if they are dead, they simply... VANISHED. We've barred access to the ruins ever since so that we could search for them.
: Who had access to the ruins before this incident?
: Oh my, your master never informed you? *raises delicately-plucked eyebrow*
: I'm afraid our Inquisitor was quite distraught when he sent us here.
: Was he?
: [rolls 97 on deceive] He was swamped.
: *with a sweet look* I'm sure he was.
: That's likely, yes. (with a p-p-poker face)
PROTIP: What Hastus just said is so impossible it's actually kind of appropriate for a roll of 97. Expert LARPing, actually. There's no way he'd be busy with anything while on a transport to RIGHT HERE.
: Oh, such bald-faced lies to a Magos' face? You know, I think I might come to like you better than the last group Zaely sent.
: Hurr, [Charm] sorry.
: *places her hand gently on Hastus's cheek* Omnissiah bless you, dear child.
: *EPIC BLUSH* (this is our dose of Bioware romance for the day, kids)
herp derp
: *looks at Jezail* What do you think of the Omnissiah, darling?
:
: ACCESS DENIED to ruins, then. However, there is something you could do to earn my favour. There's a new Sister in town, sent by the Ecclesiarchy, and I'm afraid the situation is volatile enough as it is.
: Joo mean, Sister Mamacita?!
. Quite. I'd
love it if you could discover ...exactly why is she here... and report to me.
: Yes, ma'am.
And so the acolytes barely manage to survive their first encounter with one of the major players on the scene, and boy, was that close to being a major fuck-up. As it is, it's just a medium fuck-up, or a Biowarian fuck-up, as it just opens up a fetch quest. So now they're on the street.
: Just when this place starts looking benign, it finds new ways to be dangerous.
The group then decides to go talk to the sister, who was standing by the priest last they saw her. As they make their way to the central plaza, they saw that Valerius, the priest, was still giving his fire, brimstone and baby meat speech. Leocadia was still there, fortunately.
: REPENT, YE SINNERS! The end-times will soon be upon us, and where on the Emperor's side will you be when that happens?
Crowd: *the crowd watches enthusiastically*
: Heresy is afoot!
Crowd: *the crowd gasps and turns to the group*
: And we need to talk to the priest!
Crowd: *the mob starts trampling over one another and singing litanies of banishment and redemption*
: What my associate means is that heresy is an ever-present danger to the Imperium! Restrain yourselves, believers!
Crowd: *the crowd calms down*
: The cleric speaks with wisdom, Emprah bless her! Faithful, depart now to your homes. I have business to attend to. We shall meet each other again at the same time tomorrow!
The sheeple go home.
: How can I be of assistance?
: Have you seen anything suspicious lately?
: The flock says they saw lights in the night, and I say to you, it was the
crimson light of heresy! Why do you ask?
: It's classified Inquisition Business, sir. We need to speak with the sister. Thank you for your cooperation.
: I-I-Inquisition?! Of course... *walks off like a little girl*
Now in the grim darkness of the city of Ghostsprings, there is only Sister Leocadia. She's pretty. Pretty hot as well. At least, that's what root urges me to believe.
: What do you want?
: We were sent by Zael Misch to uncover the secrets of these ruins here. We got ambushed by cultists on the way. We've heard of this "Empty Man" from a cultist. He was also a very strange person. That's all we know. So, do you think we can colaborate?
: No.
: [Charm] Pleeeeease?
: Collaborate how?
: In finding out about the empty man, of course.
: They say he has no
honour soul and recruits the weak to do his master's bidding. Some also say he is affiliated with the Inquisition. I have no interest in him, as he is not part of my holy mission
: That's all?
: Well your reports are troubling, but they should be of no concern. You got ambushed 200 km away from here. The cultists will not survive the wilderness. They do not know the survivalist techniques of water enemas.
: But mami, *conspiracy*
: I cannot tell you anything more. I am bound by oath to the sisterhood.
: But can we count on your support in case of cultist attack?
: Sure, why not.
Session's pretty much over. There is a contradiction somewhere in this testimony. We'll need to find it in order to crack the case. But wait, somebody has something to add:
: One more thing, monjita. As we spent some time on this planet, a muchacho has given us a few words of wisdom, which I think you should consider as well.
: Wots dat?
:
Trust no one. *blood and thunder*