IC: Crusade Across the Stars (W40K Only War)
I have been hounded lately by a certain someone *cough*GunnerX5*cough* to run an Only War game and since I have had precious little I could successfully do besides slowly die under the side effects of my new meds I have given the idea some thought. As such I have an idea rumbling around my sleep deprived, light headed, and mostly battered brain. Figured I'd see what all of you think about it.
2 weeks ago heretical Inquisitor Inessa Kressler seized control of the Shrine World Kalas V and executed the Living Saint Nuriel of the Cleansing Flame. A champion of the Imperium who had walked through the fire and survived to bring it to bear against the forces of Chaos that had controlled the sector for centuries. Within days the entire sector was at war with itself. Loyalist versus heretic. Criminals and xenos taking advantage of the insanity. 7 worlds plunged into madness and war.
Inquisitor Lord Fyodor Karamazov, the Pyrophant Judge of Salem Proctor, has called a crusade on the Sundere System. Adeptas Sororitas - the Sisters of Battle - have answered the call in number with fire and faith. The most faithful of Imperial Guard regiments have answered the call. Penal legions have been conscripted, outfitted with bomb collars, and prepared to give their lives in service of the Emperor.
The Maccabian Jannisaries 17th - "The Hand of Drusus" - were standouts in the Heresy of Mandel. Fanatical and fearless they led the purge of the Hive World Mendel of the Nurgle Stricken cultists. Experts in urban warfare who had caught the eye of the Inquisition with their service. When Inquisitor Karamazov called the crusade they were quick to answer and met the armada in their ship the Heretic's Reward.
This would be an Adult game using the Only War system by Fantasy Flight Games. Access to the rules is required. Being an expert with them is not. Familiarity with the setting is not required as all required information would be posted in game or linked to it. The rating is due to both the violence and due to the religious tones of the game.
The players would be members of the Maccabian Jannisaries 17th. The Maccabian Janissaries are an elite Imperial Guard regiment made up of the most skilled and faithful from the blessed world of Maccabeus Quintus - an arid and bitterly cold Shrine World. The Drusan Cult - which they all are members of - is a religious order based around the Imperial Saint Drusus - a great general who brought Imperium rule to his sector and did the whole 'be killed and come back' routine. The Drusan Cult (and the Maccabian Janissaries in particular) carry on Drusus' mission. To bring the light of the Emperor wherever it does not shine.
This is a quote from the Jannisary's Oath:
"In all things do we take the example of Saint Drusus, who the Emperor saw fit to return from death to continue service in His name. We endure hardships, as Drusus did. We show no mercy, as Drusus did. We drive back the darkness beyond His realm, as Drusus did."
On the mechanical side this regiment will be built using a higher point total than normal to represent higher training and greater experience than most Maccabian Regiments. High quality sanctified gear - including holy hand grenades. There will be no Ratlings or Ogryns but I will be making an Only War version of the Sisters of Battle that will be available to play.
So what I am really trying to say is Would you like to crusade with me?