Want To Play Deathwatch?

OK cool. Go for it.

Well that one was easy....

....

.... Fine.

Deathwatch

Deathwatch much like the other D10 systems from Fantasy Flight, BUT, you get to be a Space Marine. Pretty cool huh.

The players create and play as a Space Marine who has been seconded to the Deathwatch, to form a Kill Team. The Kill Team gets thrown into a lot of 'shit has hit the fan' situations and have to get in there and sort it out. Their missions come down from the Watch Captains and the Ordo Xenos who oversee the Kill Teams, giving the GM a bounty of opportunities to screw over* the kill team.

Deathwatch is a fairly solid system and is supported by Fantasy Flight in the forms of supplements and a living errata. It's system works well and despite all your players being Space Marines there is enough scope for personalisation of a character. Chapter, Specialisation and personality all help to 'flavour' the character to your liking.

*By screw over i mean create an enjoyable player experience.

To Play

To play Deathwatch you will obviously need the basic equipment; core rulebook, additional supplements, character sheets, pencils, rubbers, additional note paper, D10's.

You will of course also need players. For the Deathwatch experience i would say you need at least 4 geeks to pretend to be Space Marines :) .

Time. Vital to any RPG. You want to have probably at least 3-4 hours game time each time you sit down to play, otherwise you will feel you are getting nowhere. The GM should take this into consideration and attempt to tailor the missions to fit into the time constraints.

Food and drink. 7 guys around a table for 8 hours... they eat and they drink.

The hardest part of any RPG; Finding a decent GM. He will write your adventures, control the bad guys, veto certain player choices or advances and ultimately control the game (if you are not careful though the GM will also control your soul as you suck up to him so you can get your way in the fictionally world in your head... it's awesome). This guy has to put in the effort.

A Note On Players

Getting a group together consistently to play can be hard work, but you must still make sure that those people get along for the most part. People can play RPG's for different reasons. Some see it as a competitive game and must be the best, having the best abilities and weapons available. Some see it as a chance to role play a carefully thought out character, flaws and all. And most people just think it'd be pretty cool to be a Space Marine and kick Termagaunts heads off.

My point is players may view how the game should be played differently to you. Sure try and fit everybody in, but don't pander to their every want. Say yes to in game things they want to try and do because they are cool. But don't always say yes to abilities and equipment the player wants, but doesn't have access to, just because they want their character to be 'better' than everyone else's.

At the end of the day Deathwatch is an RPG. Have fun with it, use your imagination and don't be a dick.

So Whats Next?

You've got your stuff, you're players, sorted out when and where.

It falls to the GM to write the missions, the briefings, do all he can to set the scene for the world the players will be in. He should supervise and go through character creation with the players and make sure he is happy with his players characters. In understanding their background, missions can be created that will touch a nerve with the character.

Learn the rules. Everyone should try and learn the rules. Players should learn the basic rules and then learn everything they can about their character, their abilities, what they can and can't do, because nobody will know what every single skill or talent does. Help out the GM by understanding your character exactly.

Have Fun

Play games, have a laugh, develop as a kill team and let me know how it's going ;)

Other Stuff I'm Doing

Interested or not, I'll tell you :D

So I am now going to the 40K Throne OF Skulls on the 15-16th of October as a friend has dropped out. I pretty much have 2 armies i could take with little work required, my Raven Guard or my Iron Hands. I think I'll be going with my Raven Guard as I want to take my time on polishing of my Iron Hands.

So last night. When i should of been doing a number of things; working on this post, writing some Deathwatch missions, or finishing off a couple of Land Speeders for GT. I decided to paint some tester models for some Tau that have been sitting un built and unpainted for some time now and for Pre-Heresy Death Guard. Don't you just love distractions :)

Watch Fortress Erioch

The Watch Fortress

Watch Fortress Erioch. Located in the Jericho Reach sector.

This Watch Fortress is the main base of operations for the Ordo Xenos within the Jericho Reach. Holding relics, equipment, medicae facilities, armouries, training grounds, live Xenos specimens and a variety of ancient evils. So everything a Space Marine could need really.

Within Deathwatch having a Watch Fortress gives your Kill Team a 'home'. A place to train and reflect within relative safety*. It can act as a staging ground between major missions and campaigns, allowing characters to upgrade and spend XP in major ways, be awarded medals or marks of distinction and seek advise from the oldest and wisest members of the order.

* Relative because as with most areas of the 41st millennium, the Jericho Reach sectors fringes are under assault on all sides by Tau, Tyranids, Orks, Chaos and all manner of other beasties.


Kill Team Epsilon

Kill Team Epsilon currently consists of 6 Battle Brothers. Covering all 6 base specialities across a variety of Chapters.

In game terms most of the Battle Brothers are rank 3 (the ranks run from 1 to 8, with advanced specialities being able to take at rank 4, 5 for an Epistolary) and are at the 'Distinguished' level of Renown, meaning they are able to take some advanced war gear but weapons some weapons, especially those of great artifice are still out of their grasp.

Brother Ricimer

Black Shield. Apothecary.
Practical with his trained Medicae skills Brother Ricimer will as likely deliver the 'Emperors Mercy' as treat their injuries if it is what he perceives to be the best course of action. With his Bolter, array of toxins, poisons and his unknown past Ricimer is one to watch.

Brother Claton

Death Paladin, Blood Angel successor. Librarian.
A hot blooded warrior and powerful psyker who still suffers from the curse of his progenitor Chapter. His main weapons being his Force Sword and cleansing psychic flame. 'Burn first ask questions later' may well be his motto.

Brother Magron

Raven Guard. Tactical Marine.
A surprisingly charismatic leader given the demeanor of most Brothers from the Raven Guard. Magron reads situations with tactical expertise, most of the time through his rifle scope as he is a crack shot and as such recently acquired a 'Marksman's Lanyard' along with a gene coded Needle Rifle.

Brother Mortis

Night Reaper, Ultramarine successor. Techmarine.
Highly analytical and little concerned with the needs of mortals, Brother Mortis is most pleased when he is left to unravel technology new to him. He harbours a somewhat fanatical obsession to replace his 'weaker' flesh with augmetics. With his Servo Arm and Storm Bolter he is also a force to be reckoned with.

Brother Korvan

Raven Guard. Assault Marine.
With lightning fast reflexes and his aptitude for battle Brother Korvan is a whirlwind of death. Jump Pack flaring and Power Sword glowing he can cut a great path through the enemy. His downfall may be his lack of analysis.

Brother Marcus

Steel Wings, Ultramarine successor. Devastator.
A stoic presence within the Kill Team. What little he does say is usually worth listening to. A firm believer in protecting the innocent and can be found at odds with some of the more 'reckless' members of the Kill Team. His newly acquired Plasma Cannon coupled with his innate accuracy will be sure to slay many.

Overall

Epsilon contains a mix of personalities, abilities and play styles. Making the team diverse and capable of handling most mission objectives, whilst having the flavour of contrasting personalities.

And the most important thing about Deathwatch..... (Aside form the GM of course, because that guy is awesome) The players. Bringing the characters to life, role playing their personalities. The bonds and the differences. Observing as a GM I see time where Epsilon and their respective players gel as a team and play flawlessly, and the other occasions where a simple decision may be over analysed and cause a rift as to the best cause of action (causing bickering and even the odd warning shot in game).

As we like to joke 'Kill Team Epsilon may not be the most subtle team in the Ordo Xenos, but they get shit done'.

Epsilons Mission Update

The Team Was On Parut

On the blog Kill Team Epsilons last report was from the city of Parut on Pilgrim's Loss. The team were defending the city from a Tyranid invasion, forces raining down around them and the other defenders.

Shield Tower

Having just saved the Inquisitor their next task was to secure a shield tower. The tower itself generated a weak energy field designed only to keep out the worst of the snow protecting the humans within. That being said, the spores that were settling across the planet and working on transforming it's surface were being held from drifting into the city by this 'shield'. The team ascended the tower swiftly battling Gargoyles and Shrikes. Brother Claton, Kill Team Epsilons Librarian disgraced himself and his chapter during this assault. Killing a Brother Novamarine, burning him with psychic flame whilst trying to target Xenos. The tower was secured and Brother Claton was reprimanded for his carelessness.

North Gate

Holding the Northern Gate became Kill Team Epsilons duty which they did so easily from the walls above it. Hordes of small Xenos succumbing to the withering hails of Bolter fire. That was until faced with a charging Carnifex. The Carnifex made it through the rain of shells to ram the gate, smashing through it. Most of the team went to ground level to fight it with a couple staying on the walls to deter the Zoanthropes in the distance approaching. The Carnifex bit Uval (one of the Inquisitors retinue) in two, before being charged by Brother Ansum. Brother Magron in the meantime found the wall he was standing on decimated by a Zoanthropes Warp Lance and (taking advantage of his turn being next, his acrobatics skill and cinematic value) flipped from the wall landing upon the back of the Carnifex and ending it with a Bolter shell to the back of the head and rode it to the ground. The Kill Team held off the attack and secured the gate.

Gene Seed Facility

The Kill Team and Inquisitor (and co) flew across planet on their Thunderhawk 'Reign Of Fire' to an underground Gene Seed Facility held by Novamarines and besieged by Xenos. Entering the facility by a concealed secondary entrance the Kill Team meet with the so far elusive Kill Team Theta. The plan was to use the facilities here to create a Genophage and have Kill Team Theta deliver it into the bowels of a major Hive ship. Kill Team Epsilons role here was to capture a live specimen to test the Genophage upon, Preferably a synapse creature (I have to say at this point i thought, it'll be easy for them. Leap out of a Thunderhawk onto a warrior, beat it up and drag it back while keeping the hordes at bay. Turns out thats not how it went). Epsilon split into 2 teams one group distracting the Xenos, the other trying to disable one with precise fire. This method ended up with a few dead warriors and a divided Kill Team trying to withdraw. Plan B was to fly over in the Thunderhawk and using Grapples and Webbers to snare one of the xenos. Eventually the Kill Team caught one of the Tyranids, but only at the cost of Brothers Ansum and Zaharial who were lost to a Carnifex and a Horde of Nids respectively. Magos Biologis Dravaar of the Inquisitor's retinue created the Genophage.

Replacements

Brother Ansum, Assault Marine of the Black Templars and Brother Zahariel, Apothecary of the Dark Angels were both lost in the endless war against the Xenos. Kill Team Theta had recently acquired new Deathwatch members to their own Kill Team and so used them to reinforce Epsilon. Thus Kill Team Epsilon acquired Brother Ricimer, Apothecary and Black Shield and Brother Korvan, Assault Marine of the Raven Guard.

Launch

Both Kill Teams and the Inquisitor (& co) travelled to a launch site with 3 small rapid strike vessels capable of delivering a Kill Team onto a Hive Ship. Kill Team Theta (now a 5 man squad) took 2 of the ships to strike at a large Hive Ship. Epsilon just had to wait for Theta to check in... or not to. In the mean time the team were attacked by Genestealers. They were divided and almost overwhelmed. The Archivist Core was killed and Inquisitor Venus was eviscerated by a Genestealer. At which point it transpired that Venus was only the Interrogator and The Inquisitor was in fact Lily and was using Venus as a cover. It was further revealed that a member of Epsilons following (a priest)was an agent of the Ordo Hereticus and his master had a feud with Inquisitor Lily. Epsilon stayed true to the Ordo Xenos and protected her at the cost of angering the Ordo Hereticus.

Assault On The Hive Ship

Kill Team Theta failed to check in, so Kill Team Epsilon took the last of the Genophage and the last ship to assault the Hive Ship. Epsilon fought their way through various challenges and enemies upon the Hive Ship (hordes of endless enemies, acid pools, depressurisation) in order to plant a Genophage Dispenser within the ships Biomass Conversion Chamber and upon the Hive ships central cortex. 2 members of Kill Team Theta were found dead by Epsilon and a 3rd sacrificed himself to destroy a mighty Hive Tyrant. The Kill Team made it through and escaped from the Hive Ship in time to assist with the evacuation of Parut and the subsequent withdrawal of all forces from the ongoing Naval conflict.

Parut Aftermath

The Genophage was successfully delivered and deployed, but served only to cripple the Xenos splinter fleet and slow their advance. Parut was abandoned and the advance of Hive Fleet Dagon is being slowed and fought wherever possible with all available forces. Kill Team Epsilon returned to Watch Fortress Erioch for time to recover, train and meditate upon their experiences.

Next

The next post will be upon the new structure of Kill Team Epsilon, the Inquisitor and her Retinue, any hangers on and characters important to the Kill Teams command sructure.

Sometime after to follow on from that I plan to do an article upon starting your own Deathwatch Campaign.

Apologies And Future Plans

Lack Of Posts

You may have noticed after a fairly regular update on Kill Team Epsilons missions I stopped posting them. My reason behind this is simple. It became tedious for me and i was loosing a bit of passion for the game, as I was writing the mission in the first place, taking the kill team through playing the mission and then writing up a mission report afterwards meant i was going through it 3 times. Anyway I apologise for the lack of posts.

Posts For The Future

Our Deathwatch group and Kill Team Epsilon have still been going strong, so i will post up squad updates, brief summaries of the Kill Teams status, fame and skills. Alongside the odd article about playing Deathwatch, GMing Deathwatch, the system and it's rules.

Brother Zahariel

The 5th member of Kill Team Epsilon written by it's player, Brother Zahariel.

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Data File: Long-range transmission 0/982/Inq/ΣⅦ
997.925.M41
Captain Brastus To Watch Captain Servais
Subject: Re Kill Team Epsilon, Brother Zahariel

Kill Team Epsilon, Non-Ranking Member.

Name: Darek Zahariel

Chapter: Shadow Hunters

History: The marine known as Zahariel is one of the few remaining marines of the Shadow Hunters chapter (Closely allied to their founders the Dark Angels). Following the disastrous and costly early years of the Serpent Wars he rose to prominence. His natural intelligence made him the perfect candidate to receive advanced medical training and thus was he inducted into the ranks of the Apothecary. As a trusted Apothecary of the chapter Zahariel sought to help his stricken brotherhood return from the brink of extinction, a duty he carried out with all the due diligence and care expected of the Emperors finest. As a healer it is perhaps ironic that Zahariel's true talents lie in the art of war. A swordsman of great skill Zahariel was always found in the thick of the fighting before his secondment to the ranks of the Deathwatch.

While most come to the watch out of honour, for Zahariel, it is penance. His clinical and clean nature combined with a somewhat pious demeanour would be the cause of his folly. Seeing only his brothers, those of his primogenitors ilk and of course the Emperor himself as pure he was quick to suspect and act upon taint. Unfortunately he often confused cowardice for corruption. Cowardice in space marines is something unheard of, yet in the Imperial Guard it is all too common.

During the final years of the initial Serpent Wars Zahariel was present as part of his commanders (Captain Azriah 2nd Company) retinue at a council of war. An Imperial Field Marshall, by a name since expunged following his summary execution, had called a full scale retreat mere hours before his forces were set to reinforce the Shadow Hunters who had launched an offensive earlier that day, this retreat left the already crippled chapters marines cut off amongst a horde of Dark Eldar. Zahariel upon hearing of this drew his bolt pistol, levelling it directly at the head of [Name Removed by Inquisitorial Order]. It was only his captain’s quick actions which prevented bloodshed, however the outrage caused at such a threat was too great to be ignored. Following the conclusion of the campaign Azriah ordered Zahariel to the Deathwatch and that should he survive his trials by the fire of combat, he will be welcomed back into his chapter.

Demeanour: While all the sons of Lion El’Johnson are naturally suspicious and believe themselves pure, these traits manifest themselves perhaps stronger than most in Brother Zahariel. Paranoid, Zahariel is slow to trust any outside of his chapter; this mistrust is often seen as outright hostility as true to his primogenitors legacy. Zahariel is somewhat hard pressed when dealing with people, his distaste for humans began during the serpent wars and time has only reinforced his stance. Should a human come between him and his goals, they will meet the sharp edge of his blade. The second aspect of Zahariel which shows most often is his pious nature. Believing in upholding the honour of the Emperor and the Lion above all else Zahariel is often one of the first into the fray, seeking to cleanse the tainted with the fury only the sons of the Lion could bare. Before his sanctioning to the Deathwatch it was rumoured that the Chaplains wished to induct him into their ranks as an interrogator.

Weapons: Brother Zahariel has recently taken to carrying a Power Sword with him into battle to as he now feels like he has at least earned the right to bear the first of his original items of war gear once more. He also carries a Bolter and Bolt Pistol as well as a Ceremonial sword of his chapter. Before joining the Deathwatch Zahariel carried a Plasma pistol named in honour of a fallen brother.

Armour: Zahariel goes to war bedecked in MK6 battle plate, his suit had once been destroyed in an ancient conflict, yet lovingly rebuilt by the chapters Techmarines the suit now offers better protection than ever before except upon the right leg, which much to his chagrin has never been improved regardless of the skill of the artificer seeing to his suit. Upon his right arm is the blood of Brother Makradon, the Shadow Hunters 2nd company banner bearer, a hero who fell only after defeating an entire squad of elite Incubi in defence of his captain. The blood upon Zahriel's arm is a reminder of the greatness he must strive to emulate.


//Servitor Scribe 4728947// Watch-Fortress Erioch/ Jericho Reach/
/Purge the Alien/

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Brother Ansum

The 4th member of Kill Team Epsilon written by its player. Brother Ansum.

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Data File: Long-range transmission 0/982/Inq/ΣⅦ
997.999.M41
Captain Brastus To Watch Captain Servais
Subject: Re Kill Team Epsilon, Brother Ansum

Kill Team Epsilon, Non-Ranking Member.

Name: Eckart Ansum

Chapter: Black Templars

History: Brother Ansum is a young Astartes who has already earned many honours fighting the foes of the enemy on the field of battle. He is a veteran of the Armageddon Crusade during which he was only a lowly neophyte. Ansum earned his Power Armour during the crusade after fighting alongside Castellan Malathir at the battle for Hive Infernus during which his mentor Initiate Erias was killed by an Ork Kommando unit during a raid of one of The God Emperors cathedral’s. Swearing revenge the newly promoted Brother Ansum hastily left the cathedral stronghold on a plume of smoke & fire from his jump pack and proceeded to hunt down the Orks responsible for his masters death much to the chagrin of Castellan Malathir. Three days later he returned bloody but unbroken bearing the heads of the Orks.

The act of revenge left Catellan Malathir conflicted as to the punishment Brother Ansum should receive; on one hand he had disobeyed a direct order, but on the other, he had single handedly hunted down and destroyed an elite Ork scout unit. Following days of meditation the decision was made to annex Brother Ansum to the Deathwatch where his undoubtable skill could be used to benefit the Imperium while instilling a greater patience to the young Marine.

Demeanour: Like all of his chapter Brother Ansum is a zealous warrior believing that the only way to live is in service to the God Emperor through the rigours of battle and near constant praying and self flagellation when not smiting the foes of the Emperor. Due to his age he is hot blooded to the point of recklessness, on many occasions acting before thinking about the potential danger to himself and the others within the kill team. The combination of his hot blooded attitude and zealous nature has meant that Brother Ansum has spent a great deal of time within the medicae facilities of the Strike Cruiser ‘Spear of Fury’ due to rashly taking the fight to the enemy without considering the implications.

Weapons: Brother Ansum carries into battle a bolt pistol and power sword regularly supplemented with a large number of explosives and a flamer which he uses to bring cleansing fire to the enemies of the Imperium.

Armour: A fine suit of Mark VII plate previously worn into battle by Marshall Vanrich during the ultimately doomed Kaggerath Crusade during which nearly the entirety of Marshall’s crusade force was destroyed and the Marshall himself mortally wounded. The armour has since been repaired and consecrated but the stain of dishonour and shame still remains within the armour’s plates.

//Servitor Scribe 4728947// Watch-Fortress Erioch/ Jericho Reach/
/Purge the Alien/

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Brother Claton

Our third member of the Kill Team Epsilon again written by it's player. Brother Claton.

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Data File: long-range transmission 0/223/Inq/7a
997.999.M41
Captain Brastus To Watch Captain Servais
Subject: Re Kill Team Epsilon, Brother Claton Rafen

Kill Team Epsilon, Librarian, Codicier.

Name: Claton Rafen

Chapter: Death Paladins

History: The Death Paladins are known for their crusade against the Orks that were wreaking havoc around the Armageddon sector. Though they are from Blood Angel genus they have not been known to show the same rage as their Progenitors. Picked from the ranks of the other neophytes for his latent psychic talent he joined the brotherhood of Librarians. Influenced mostly by the Chief Librarian at the time and learning the tools of his trade on Armageddon, his lust for battle and his mentors teachings came to the fore and made Claton into a powerful being.
When his Chapters due to the sector was fulfilled he was sent back to the Chapters home world to see the high council. They gave word that his efforts on Armageddon were being rewarded by being seconded to the Inquisitions Astartes arm the Deathwatch. He was proud of this position as it meant he had a greater opportunity to save the inhabitants of the Emperors worlds and bring back more knowledge to his chapter.

Demeanour: Like others in Kill Team Epsilon Brother Claton believes in saving humans he comes into contact with, even if this means coming to blows with the more zealous of his comrades. He often forgoes the immense power he has at his disposal, guarding himself against the warp energies, leashing his power so that he does not loose control and hurt the same humans he is trying to save.

Weapons: True to his calling as a Librarian he carries his badge of office in the form of a long Force Sword. As standard he also carries both Bolt Pistol and Boltgun.

Armour: Brother Claton has a rather battered suit of MK 7 Power Armour. Although our Forge Master has offered on several occasions to refurbish his armour he has declined their requests, as he believes it strikes fear into those enemies that come into contact with it.

//Servitor Scribe 557694// Watch-Fortress Erioch/ Jericho Reach//Kill the heretic/

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Brother Mortis

Our second member of Kill Team Epsilon written by the player. Brother Mortis.

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Brother Mortis - Personnel file 12df3rv465 (Amended)

Name : Garrett 'G' Mortis

Chapter : Night Reapers, 2nd Company.

Speciality : Techmarine.

History : Served with distinction in campaigns against both Eldar pirates and their more sadistic counterparts (known as 'Dark' Eldar) in the local sectors around the Night Reapers home system of Arcturus for several decades before his almost innate knowledge of technology and machine spirits came to the attention of his companies Techmarines. After suitability testing and basic training Brother Mortis was sent to Mars to be brought fully into the mysteries of the Adeptus Mechanicus by it's foremost practitioners on the Red Planet. On return to the Night Reapers home world of Arcturus Prime 'Techmarine' Mortis was re-inducted into the ranks of his brothers.

Though his new found knowledge and perceived dual loyalties would have distanced him from his comrades in other chapters, his own brother Marines had little or no prejudices against either knowledge or technology and welcomed him back without any doubts. Though his duties often keep him out of direct physical confrontations he has continued to serve in war zones in a dozen sectors against a myriad of threats amongst both the Heretic and the Xenos. As such he was found to be an ideal candidate for inclusion in the latest batch of Deathwatch recruits as support personnel for an appropriate Kill Team.

Demeanour : Brother Mortis is extremely calculating in all situations, an attitude which can occasionally result in delays in action as he contemplates all possible outcomes of any situation before acting. However once a decision is made there are remarkably few technical or mechanical issues capable of slowing his progress for too long. Most followers of the Machine God hold organic systems as being less efficient than their mechanical counterparts and Brother Mortis takes this attitude to it's logical conclusion. Whereas many followers of the Cult of the Machine take many centuries to completely eradicate the inferior organic parts of themselves Brother Mortis appears to attempt to expedite this process at any opportunity. He will generally attempt to avoid close combat in favour of destroying enemies at range with overwhelming fire-power, this is apparently common amongst members of the Night Reapers 2nd company though this is yet to be verified. He seems to fit well into a group with a defined command structure though has a tendency to default to his own personal mission objectives when adequate leadership is absent.

Addendum : His interest in Archeotech and Xenos technology and a perceived lack of patience with what he apparently describes as 'pointless bickering' can occasionally result in what can only be described as 'wandering off' . This behaviour has yet to cause any issues but will require some observation. The aforementioned tendency towards the avoidance of close combat must not be mistaken for cowardice in any form as he is more often than not the first Marine to take damage in a situation due to his forward position in the units formation as a consequence of his duties removing both technological and mechanical obstructions from the teams path.

Weapons : Brother Mortis is armed with the standard equipment of his speciality consisting of a Bolt Gun, Bolt Pistol, Combat Knife and of course his Servo arm and usually requisitions an Auspex, Combi-Tool and Multi-Key before each mission.

Addendum : Due to a recent Bionic upgrade Brother Mortis no longer requires an external Auspex as his in-built auger Array duplicates all its functions. He has also rebuilt and reconsecrated a heretics Twin-Linked Bolter into a configuration comparable to a Storm Bolter which has now become his principle weapon. Additionally due to several incidents of weapon jams amongst his Brothers in critical situations he now often requisitions sacred unguents in order to ritually bless the weapons of his Kill Team before important missions.

Armour : He utilises a suit of Mark 8 Errant Armour apparently gifted to him by one of the Forge Masters of his own chapter.

Addendum : It has been noted that this suit of Power Armour seems to have slightly weaker armour plating in the area of the arms than would normally be expected for a suit of Mark 8 armour, though this is apparently somewhat mitigated by a significant increase in strength over the norm.

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Brother Magron

So our Deathwatch game didn't run this Saturday. In place of the usual mission log, the players have been tasked with writing up their characters backgrounds. Here is the first, Brother Magron.

Data File: long range transmission 0/223/Inq/6a
997.999.M41
Captain Brastus To Watch Captain Servais
Subject: Re Kill Team Epsilon, Brother Magron

Upon your instruction brother I have kept a close eye on the kill team as they have undertaken their first few missions. As a member of your own chapter I know you've taken a special interest in Brother Magron so enclosed is his personal file updated from what I've seen and heard from the teams communication.

Kill Team Epsilon, Non- Ranking Member.

Name: Magron Davaal

Chapter: Raven Guard

History: A veteran of Shadow Captain Shrike's 'hit and run' campaign against the Orks on Targus VIII, then Sgt Magron became a great leader after seeing his squad wiped out and being forced to lead a squad of scouts and squad-less marines separated even from his captain's isolated band. During this time not only Magron's leadership but his abilities in stealth and tracking increased to leave him a prime example of the "Son's of Corax's" combat doctrine. When rediscovered by the main Raven guard force the 12 marines and scouts under his command all swore a vow of loyalty to Magron for saving their lives.

Chapter Master Corrar himself recommended Magron's secondment to the Deathwatch who hoped the extreme experience would bring out the natural skill he saw, and since then he has been proven right as Magron has stepped forward to become a pseudo leader to the newly formed team.

Demeanour; Brother Magron works and communicates well with other Astartes but like many of his chapter sees humans as tools to be used for labour and combat rather than the denizens of the Imperium he was created to protect, but will endeavour to find some use for those humans in his presence.

Weapons: True to his chapter Magron uses a stealth pattern Stalker Boltgun, and carries a power knife and Bolt Pistol into battle.

Armour: A relic of an older time, Magron's armour once belonged to legendary Shadow Captain Paasv of the Raven Guard and still carries the stains of his blood after he died fighting an Ork "Kommando". Recently brother Magron has also taken to wearing a Camocloak.

//Servtor Scribe 557693// Watch-Fortress Erioch/ Jericho Reach/
/Purge the Alien/

Pilgrim's Loss; Parut

---Ship-Captain-Brastus/Spear-Of-Fury/Approaching-Blockade/

Ship Captain Brastus, final log before Tyranid attack.

Kill Team Epsilon were briefed by myself and an Inquisitor of the Ordo Xenos. The situation is grave. Hive Fleet Dagon descends upon the worlds of the Jericho Reach systems. The Spear Of Fury is currently on route to help fight off the main organisms of the Hive Fleet.

Kill Team Epsilon have been dispatched to the world 'Pilgrim's loss'. There they will defend the planet from Tyranid invasion and help to protect the population and facilities from being lost. Their first objective is to protect the city of Parut from Tyranid attack. Protect it's walls, protect it's populace and stonewall the Tyranids for as long as possible if not indefinitely. Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Venus and her retinue also need to be protected by the Kill Team.

The last vox transmission received told that the team had touched down and linked up with other forces on the ground.

The Spear Of Fury has taken it's place in the defensive cordon. The Hive approaches..... By Dorn's fist it's immense..... Power to all guns..... Brastus out---

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---Brother Captain Wrax of the Novamarines 3rd Company/Parut/Command Bunker/

Parut. They call it 'The Cube'. An ice world to be defended, perhaps if a stand is made we can funnel all the Tyranid resources into this world. Though through this we must be careful that the facilities on this world are not lost.

A Deathwatch kill team has been sent to aid in our defence of Parut, and i believe another has been sent to aid my Brothers at the gene vaults. The troubling part is that they are accompanied by an Inquisitor. Venus and her retinue, here to assist in the fight so they say. My experience with Inquisitors is that there is always another agenda.

The 'Pilgrims', the Imperial Guard regiment of this world seem competent enough, if not a little simple. We have set up emplacements, and bolstered the walls and doors as best we can.

Kill Team Epsilon led by Brother Magron discovered the first vanguard creatures already within the city. Although it has to be said that tact does not appear to be the teams strong point as Brother Ansum nearly incited a city wide panic. Lictors attacked their team nearly incapacitating Brother Ansum immediately. Once aware of the situation Hybrids were discovered and have since been cleansed from the city as best we can tell with the help of the Kill Team. Now we wait. They are coming.

Wrax---

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---Inquisitor-Venus/Barrack-Compound-Alpha/

Kill Team Epsilon made sure the defences were prepared, and split the Novamarines heaviest armour elements between the two gates; 3 Dreadnoughts and a Land Raider. The team itself was utilising it's Razorback to act as a rapid response force to any spore pods that fell within the city during the first wave of attacks.

And fall they did. Termagaunts, Hormagaunts and Genestealers primarily hammered down into the city cocooned inside their organic pods. The kill team encountered one such pod after it crashed into the Chapel. Borther Mortis pulled off a fantastic maneuver by all accounts. Heavy Boltering the doors open before bringing the Razorback sliding round, the rear door slamming down before the team poured into the Chapel full of both civilians and Termagaunts. As the team took out the Xenos, Brother Ansum soared in through the ceiling and put himself between the Priest and the shot that would have taken his life. Clearing the Chapel the team received a distress call from me.

We were under attack from groups of Termagaunts and Hormagaunts. My own retinue supported by a Squad of Novamarines. My Archivist and Mago Biologis locked inside the Barracks working. Uval and Tavish defending me, with Lily finding a suitable nest to operate from. The kill team arrived in their Razorback, guns blazing as they deployed from the vehicle. Brother Mortis remaining inside to operate the hull mounted Heavy Bolters. The small Xenos were no match for a concentrated attack from both sides.

Things went downhill from there. Three Lictors dropped from above, killing a Novamarine and attacking another. The fighting that followed was brutal, with Brother Zaharial having a talon punched clean through the meat of his shoulder. But with accurate fire and Bolter drills being recited by Magron these ghastly creatures were taken down. As the last Lictor fell a group of Genestealers led by a Broodlord was detected.

Using all available cover the Kill Team prepared for the imminent attack. Tearing through the chain link fences the Stealers burst into the compound immediately taking fire as they leapt at the team and the Novamarines. Another Novamarine was torn apart by a Genestealer. Brothers Marcus and Mortis hammered the Genestealers with Heavy Bolter fire. Brother Magron avenged the Novamarine as he carefully blew off the Stealers head. The Broodlord charged the Razorback attempting to tear a hole in the side to reach Mortis and the rescued priest inside. Brothers Claton and Zaharial poured fire over the Xenos beast with both psychic and physical flames. Gradually the Broodlord was taken apart piece by piece. In the meantime Brother Ansum was dueling a Genestealer, and he was loosing to it's lightning speed. His face scarred as his head was nearly taken clean off were it not for a single rifle round as Lily parted the Genestealers spine from about half a mile away.

With our small conflict over reports of attacks were coming in from across the city. The defences were not yet breached, the walls and gates had held the initial wave, but we all knew worse was to come.

Also as a humorous side note apparently Brother Ansum has had a nickname bestowed upon him by his Brothers. Despite his new facial scarring he is, Ansum 'the handsome'. It is supposed to be ironic, and i thought Astartes were devoid of humour.

Inquisitor Venus signing out---

Castiel's Fate

---Ship Captain Brastus of the Deathwatch

Kill Team Epsilon have returned from the surface. After discussing Castiel in length it was called for just one continent to be exterminated with surgical strikes.

Using the Spear Of Fury's guns we destroyed the northern continent. Obliterating the corrupted mining facility.

Whether this was the best course of action will become apparent over time. Let us hope that the rest of the planet, and Castus city are now free of any taint. And that there will be no ill effects from the veil being rendered thin after the summoning that took place.

External Guard forces will be stationed upon this Castiel and the watch station will be rebuilt. If there is a taint it should become apparent to one of the many organisations now carefully watching Castiel.

Brastus out.---

Mining Facility Primaris; Castiel

---Ship Captain Brastus

The Kill Team descended to Castiel once more. This blighted planet finds itself under the thumb of the Emperors Children. The main mining facility turned into some form of arms depot.

The kill team touched down on the landing pad. Inside overseers offices were coated in blood, no living humans were detected. A slaughter had happened the men of the facility not standing a chance.

The only way to progress through the mines was by way of large lift systems that the team were more than wary of. Descending into the mine they found themselves in a large storage area, where minerals, ore and refined armour plates were packed and shipped out. Mortis detected shadows on the Auspex, after determining that they were alone the team continued finding a storage room with 5 trapped workers inside.

The miners were scared and cowering at the sight of the Battle Brothers. Whimpering about not wanting to die or be taken by the others, but not making much sense. Brothers Mortis, Darnial and Magron ignored the situation and set to work on the next set of lift doors. Brother Claton tried to probe the mind of one of the humans, but ended up delving to far causing the workers brain to hemorrhage. Brothers Claton and Marcus wanted to just let the workers flee, they were no threat, but Brothers Ansum and Zaharial believed that having been near such corruption or being possible heretics that the miners should die.

A standoff occurred, the 4 Brothers argued with each other. Brother Ansum made to swing his Power Sword at the miners before Claton stepped in and with the help of Marcus pinned him against the wall. Zaharial kept his cool and made no move. Believing to have calmed Ansum down he was released though Marcus kept his Bolt Pistol trained upon him. Marcus fired a warning shot at the floor in front of Ansum as he charged again, ignoring it Ansum slaughtered the workers much to the disgust of some of his Brothers.

On the next level the team met their first opposition and took part in a running engagement through some buildings fighting off Chaos Marines. The team killed them with Bolter, blade and psychic flame. Brother Magron also tried to operate a forklift truck to which he destroyed the controls beneath his power armoured gloves. The next lift down bore a pair of terminators which immediately charged the Kill Team. The Terminators were ultimately destroyed but nearly at the price of Brother Mortis' legs, I believe he is annoyed at how his flesh failed him.

On the lowest level the team headed through into a refinery. Liquid metal filled several large vats within the room. Enemy Chaos Marines in power armour defended the room from ground level and from gantries above. The kill team, through well placed Bolter fire and Ansum charging up onto the gantries, broke the enemy and pushed them back. Knowing the fight was lost an enemy Astartes blew one of the vats. Most of the kill team avoided the spill of liquid hot metal, Brother Darnial was not so swift and the armour plate on the legs of his errant armour began to melt away.

After clearing the room the team managed to infiltrate the next area where an enemy Tech Marine was working upon sarcophagi to be fitted into Dreadnoughts and Defilers. The follower of the Dark Mechanicum and his coterie of Heavy Bolter Servitors proved little match for the team.

The enemy's plan was uncovered, using the mining facility to suit their own needs and constructing engines of war suitable for daemonic possession. By this point Brother Librarian Claton could sense the strong psychic presence that had been in his mind all along. Going the only way possible, deeper into the rock the team come upon a ritual in process.

A deep pit, with sacrificed corpses layering the bottom, took up a large portion of the room. Chained above it was a Defiler, an engine of Chaos, with an enemy Sorcerer performing a ritual of summoning whilst guarded by yet more of his heretical kin. A battle ensued. The Defiler could not be harmed by the teams conventional weaponry, nor could the Sorcerer. The Defiler due to its armoured hide, the Sorcerer due to a conjured field of energy.

Dispatching the Emperors Children proved easier. Brother Claton attacked the Sorcerer with a psychic lance, penetrating the conjured field. The strain of using his power in close proximity to the summoning caused the Librarian to collapse as he felt his power drained (in reality he nearly summoned a daemon price but used fate to dodge that bad boy). The sorcerer was cut down by the team as Power weapons were also found to penetrate the Sorcerer's shield, at the same time the rest of the team were cutting the chains to dump the awakening Defiler in the pit, before dropping every remaining explosive charge down on top of it.

Clearing the area quickly and extracting back to the Strike Cruiser we must now deliberate on Castiel's fate.

Has the planet fallen to far?

Is the populace corrupt?

Have they seen to much?

Can we risk a lingering taint?---

The Brothers Of Kill Team Epsilon

Kill Team Epsilon's composition has changed since we started and characters have advanced a little. So here they are.

• Brother Magron. Tactical Marine of the Raven Guard. Magron's skills lie in his natural ability to command and his aptitude at stealth. Magron prefers to shoot the enemy from afar and calls things exactly how he sees them. In addition to a Tactical Marines standard wargear Magron has proved himself enough to acquire himself a Stalker-Pattern Boltgun.


• Brother Darnial. Tactical Marine of the Imperial Fists. Darnial's skills lie in his ability to spot enemy weaknesses in every situation. Darnial prefers to have fortified his position before spraying Bolter fire from behind it. In addition to his standard wargear Darnial tends to carry a significant amount of Kraken Rounds for his Bolter.


• Brother Zaharial. Apothecary of the Shadow Hunters (Dark Angels successor). Zaharial has an unparalleled ability to heal, analyse and create chemical compounds. Despite his abilities to heal, Zaharial appears to have no qualms about slaughtering unarmed civilians. In addition to his standard wargear Zaharial also requisitions thinning agents allowing him to drug humans.


• Brother Claton. Librarian or the Death Paladins (Blood Angels successor). Claton has great power, but restrains himself in all but the direst of circumstances. Claton believes in preserving the lives of innocents and has almost come to violence on several occasions with his fellow brothers. Brother Claton's ancient Force Weapon takes the shape of a long sword, and has recently mastered a psychic lance power.


• Brother Mortis. Techmarine of the Night Reapers (Ultramarines successor). Mortis has developed a cold analytical mind, as do most who favour the Mechanicum. Mortis has raised himself above petty arguments and rivalries, focusing on the mission at hand and how he can better his weaker organic parts. In addition Brother Mortis has been working on reconsecrating a Storm Bolter which he has been allowed to keep.


• Brother Marcus. Devastator of the Steel Wings (Ultramarines successor). Marcus is an ever stoic presence in the team. Marcus excels at ranged assault, wielding his Heavy Bolter with deadly efficiency. When Marcus chooses a side in a disagreement, others calm themselves and think about their actions not wishing to end up in his gun sights.


• Brother Ansum. Assault Marine of the Black Templars. Ansum is zealous just like the rest of his kind. Any hint of a taint or corruption and he will attempt to end it in the swiftest, most brutal way possible. Ansum often clashes with the rest of the team forcing confrontations, mostly when dealing with seemingly innocent civilians he is still convinced of a taint. Brother Asum has proven himself and been allowed to carry a Power Sword into battle with him.

The kill team faces many challenges. Not least of all stopping themselves from tearing each other apart. Their differences are many, but their cause is ultimately the same. To purge the Xenos.

Ecstacy's Blade Aftermath

---Ship Captain Brastus

En route to Castiel. Progress was slow our vessel having taken damage from the enemy cruiser. Brother Magron and Ansum have both fully recovered from their wounds of the two previous missions.

Rescued Battle Brother Alus of the Nova Marines is recovering well under the expertise of Brother Zahariel. Apothecary Zahariel has also assisted Brother Mortis to install an Augur Array.

Having proven themselves Brothers Magron and Ansum are able to request new items of personal wargear. Brother Magron receives a Stalker Pattern Boltgun and Brother Ansum receives a Power Sword.

Records taken from the Chaos Cruiser Ecstasy's Blade show that the Emperors Children were using the primary mining complex as some form of arms plant. We arrive at Castiel in 8 Terran hours, upon which point the team will deploy and investigate the mining facility. Once the heretics plans have been uncovered the team must decide upon Castiel's fate.---

Ecstacy's Blade

Note: Brother Darnial Tactical Marine of the Imperial Fists joined the kill team.
Brother Magron was redone, no longer a Dark Angel but a Raven Guard.

---Ship Captain Brastus Mission Report

Upon retrieving the Kill Team from Castiel a Cruiser was detected emerging from the dark side of Castiels moon. The ship was detected to be a Chaos Cruiser of the Emperors Children. The cruiser outclassed our own in fire power, so a plan was formulated to use boarding torpedoes taking the vessel from within. Brother Zaharial was occupied with treating Brother Alus.

Upon making a swift pass boarding torpedoes were launched under the cover of fire from our broadside guns. The Kill Team deployed finding a console and locating their exact position. The decision is made that their first port of call should be the engineerium to disable the warp drives.

Heading down largely unguarded corridors until a long stretch where a servitor waits at the end. Heavy Bolter fire poured down the corridor as the team ducked back around the corner. Brother Ansum attempted to take the problem head on, gunning his jump pack, but misjudged the height of the corridor and bounced off the ceiling before slamming into the floor and sliding to a halt being peppered with fire. The rest of the team step in at Ansums 'distraction' and take the servitor apart with accurate fire.

The team make it to the Engineerium and breach the doors. Inside there was little opposition other than human workers, heretics and an Emperors Children over seeing everything. Ignoring the opposition Brother Mortis headed straight to the consoles. Brother Ansum took to the overhead walkways to reach the heretics above. The rest of the team fanned out and slaughtered all opposition with precision, then swiftly secured the area with Brother Darnials expertise. The drives and life support systems were disabled by Brother Mortis and the team moved on.

Heading to the other end of the cruiser towards the bridge. The team faced an emplacement at a sort of crossroads of corridors. A pair of Heavy Bolter emplacements keep the Kill Teams heads down, while Brother Magron doubled back and came at the emplacement from the side, using a Frag grenade and a few well placed shots the well organised defenses were turned to shambles and the team pulled the defenses apart.

Reaching the final bulkhead door before the bridge the team found their path blocked by three Emperors Children in Tactical Dreadnought Armour. The enemy Terminators began raking fire across the Brothers of the Kill Team. The team expended all but one of their Melta-bombs at this point as they threw them as best they could at the Terminators. The Melta-bombs combined with the Sound Strike Missile Launcher that Brother Magron saw fit to bring along devastated the Terminators. Force fields overcharged, armour split open and blood leaking the enemy were then swiftly dispatched by precision fire from the team.

Breaching the bulkhead door to the bridge proved difficult first a hole was blown in it which required opening up using Brother Mortis' Servo-Arm. Once inside the bridge the human crew were swiftly dispatched, leaving a few enemy Marines and the Captain in Terminator armour. The Chaos Marines proved troublesome as one armed with a Plasma Gun very nearly killed Brother Magron, his arm very close to being lost to the over heated plasma. Brother Marcus raising his Heavy Bolter let loose a devastating fusillade of fire, completely pulverising the enemy Captain, whose Iron Halo failed to deflect a single round.

With the bridge secured and forces on route to cleanse the rest of the ship the teams mission was done and extraction followed.---

Castiel Aftermath

---Watch Captain Servais. Castiel overview.

Mission: The mission to Castiel a success of sorts. The watch station's silence uncovered, Brother Alus rescued, a corrupt governor put down along with 3 Emperors Children, but how far does the taint spread? Further investigation may be required.

Injuries: All Brothers received minor wounds and armour breaches. Battle Brother Ansum was by far the worst injured, his arm was nearly taken by a Chaos Champions foul power sword. He will recover, but it does make me question his reliability. Always rushing in for the sake of an honourable duel may well get him killed, or worse compromise his entire squad.

Commendations: Nothing exceptional, other than the team worked well as a unit and proved it by taking down 3 corrupt Astartes. All brothers contributed well to the mission.

Failings: Brother Ansum; Failed to show restraint around PDF troopers. Wasted melta charges on doors that were already unlocked.

Brother Mortis; Seemingly frustrated by a simple electronic door lock, he then demolished (with his servo-arm) a wall of the watch station to get into the room beyond.

Servais Out---

Next mission prelude.

---As the Thunderhawk settled in the hanger of the Strike Cruiser Spear Of Fury the kill team Storm down the ramp. Brother Zaharial carries the rescued Brother Alus to the Apothecarian for treatment, Brother Ansum following behind his arm hanging limply at his side.

Across the vox Magron and his team are hailed to the bridge, Magron, Mortis, Claton and Marcus head there at once, as the claxon's for crew to report to battle stations sound.

Ship Captain Brastus of the Crimson Fists turns to the kill team as they walk onto his bridge "We have sighted a vessel the mass of a Cruiser. We believe it to be of pre-heresy era. Steel your team for the worst, we may be outclassed."---

If any of Killteam Epsilon can think of anymore 'failings' (funny stuff) feel free to add it to the comments.

Castiel Mission Log 2

Surmised Mission Log.

--- Arriving at the city the team establishes it's presence and after talking to the Governor splits up to visit all seats of power within the city; PDF complex, Administratum building, Arbites Building and the Chapel.

After investigation at all these points, and Brother Mortis interfacing with Administratum consoles, the kill team discover 'expeditions' authorised by the Governor have been entering and leaving the city. Upon discovering this the team return to the Governors Palace where Brother Claton tries to skim read the Governors mind. The Governor reacts immediately signalling a group of men to join him, Brother Claton's powers instantly diminish.

At a dead end and not wanting to go to war against the entire city, the squad settles into quarters in the PDF facility. From which the team split to apply themselves to various tasks. Brother Magron breaks into the officers quarters and finds a lead back to the Administratum.

The team convene and head to the Administratum building, entering through a loading ramp down to a cargo area underneath the building. The metal shutters to the cargo bay nearly found itself at the wrong end of a melta bomb until the team decided they might be able to lift it... Which they did.

Searching among the general clutter and supplies, the team find a metal strong box, which again nearly gets torn in half before someone decides Brother Mortis should pick the lock. Which he does. Inside is the helm of missing Battle Brother Alus. Further searching of the building shows a map to a cave system outside the city. Taking a few of the Cargo 8's the Kill Team get underway.
Disembarking the team disperse into formation, while Brothers Magron and Zaharial approach the sentries stealthily, one manages to get off a harmless burst of las-fire before being dispatched. With noise already made, certain members of the kill team feel anyone inside may have been alerted. Brother Ansum sprints through the cave tunnels, passing heretical glyphs on the walls as he goes, the rest of the kill team following.

Ansum bursts into a large chamber to find himself suddenly opposed. A group of men fanned out around the entrance and a heavy weapon emplacement. Ansum finds himself hammered backwards by bolter fire and battle ensues. The leader is eventually captured for interrogation, but spouts nothing but heretical nonsense. Brothers Magron and Mortis try to stop it, but Brother Ansum takes the heretics head, ending him.

To continue the hunt for Brother Alus, Magron risks his purity and tries to glean knowledge by consuming a portion of the heretics brain. The only way to go was back to the Governors palace and demand an explanation for this heresy.

Arriving at the palace the kill team decide they are past the point of the subtle approach and set melta charges to the palace doors to blow their way in (the doors were unlocked)... The squad then manages to divert the palace guard to an 'attack' happening at the gates. Entering the Governors state rooms they look through the side rooms. One room resembles a torture chamber, Brother Alus upon a slab hardly breathing. Brother Zaharial attends to him at once.

The Governor appears spouting his allegiance to the dark gods, all brothers poise to fire their weapons upon him......

*Boom* The retort of a single bolt shell.

The governors torso turns to mist, but not one of the Deathwatch members had fired. From the other side of the chamber 3 Chaos Marines in the livery of the Emperors Children approach.
Battle ensues.

2 Heretic Marines fall to concentrated efforts of disciplined bolter fire. Brother Ansum his zeal taking over challenges the champion to one-on-one combat. Brother Ansum's best efforts are proven to not be enough as he is beaten back, his right arm hanging useless by his side as the heretics power sword cuts through his muscles. At this point Ansums brothers will not see him fall and step in taking down the champion of Slannesh with righteous fury.

The team take Brother Ansum, set charges in the palace to destroy any lingering trace of heresy still in the palace. Brother Claton locates the Pariah that was blocking his link to the warp earlier. The team claim the rare human as a prize. Withdrawing from the palace, boarding their stolen cargo 8's the team are chased by palace guard as they discover their Governor dead. Mortis blows the charges as they pull away, the building coming down on their pursuers.

The team rendezvous with their Thunderhawk outside the city and extract with the pariah and their grievously wounded brother.---

Castiel Mission Log 1

---Watch Captain Servais

Entering Kill Team Epsilon's Mission Log

Kill Team Epsilon were called into the strategium of Watch Fortress Erioch where i briefed them.
Our watch station on the planet of Castiel had failed to report in. The watch station is located in the hills near the city of Casus. Manned by a single vigilant Brother, Alus of the Novamarines. The watch Station was a bunker with automated defences. The teams task was to assess the situation and secure the watch station.

After a journey on the Ctrike Cruiser 'Spear Of Fury' and then a descent via Thunderhawk down to the planet Castiel, Squad Magron Disembarked on the plains lying between the hills and the city. Wasting no time the Kill Team ascend through the hills, soon coming upon the one approach to the Watch Station. Blood pools and tyre tracks mark the ground. Shell cases and power packs left where they fell in the dirt. But no bodies were located.

The Watch Station had come under heavy fire its surfaces blemished with impact craters, it's door wrenched inwards and the automated turrets dry or destroyed. Inside more blood, more spent rounds and a groove marking the floor where something heavy had been dragged out. Brother Alus is nowhere to be seen. Consoles flicker a door sealed towards the rear of the bunker.

Squad Magron disperses and takes up positions around the bunker. Battle Brother Mortis immediately walks over to the electronic key pad and attempts to open the door. Failing to open the door, Mortis acts out in uncharacteristic frustration and uses his servo arm to begin pounding at the surrounding wall deciding to smash his way into the room beyond, rather than continue to try the keypad. After a few minites of taking down the wall the room is in fact Brother Alus' personal quarters, and contains no further information.

The consoles inside the station reveal little, so the Kill Team decide to investigate the nearby city. As they exit the Station a group of men round the far corner. Brother Magron shouts to them, asking them to hold and what their intent was. The men heedless of the threat they faced charged the squad.

Las rounds splashed harmlessly off the armour of the Kill Team, and in return each cut down swathes of guardsmen with bolter and chainsword. The combat was short lived, Brother Ansum the only one at risk as he chose not to don his helm. When the men dwindled in number they began to flee, several brothers making a bid to grab one of the men for questioning, others using their pistols to finish off the last few men.

Brother Magron and Zahariel begin to interrogate the lone survivor. Question leads no where as Magron breaks bones and Zahariel intermitently relives pain to keep him concious. After interrogation leads nowhere Brother Claton skim reads his mind learning little of value.

With little information the team headed to Casus City, hoping to find the source of hostilities and ultimately Brother Alus.---

Kill Team Epsilon

Kill Team Epsilon

---Watch Captain Servais. Authorisation Gamma 653284---

---Hereby follows details of Kill Team Epsilon, currently operating as Kill Team Magron.

• Designated Squad Leader; Battle Brother Magron, Tactical Marine of the Dark Angels. Magron is a charismatic, natural leader. I believe secrets of his past still haunt him today. Magron has a difficult task ahead in bringing this team together.



• Battle Brother Ansum, Assault Marine of the Black Templar's. Ansum is as hot headed as it comes, his zeal needs to be channeled as a weapon. He disdains the use of his helmet, preferring to look his enemy in the eye and duel them one-to-one.



• Battle Brother Claton, Librarian of the Death Paladins (Blood Angels Successor). Claton is a skilled psyker, showing great control. His preferred power allows him to channel waves of psychic flame upon his enemies.



• Battle Brother Marcus, Devastator of the Steel Wings (Ultramarines Successor). Marcus is unrelenting with his personalised Heavy Bolter. He is ever proud in his duty to cleanse the taint of Xenos and Heretic alike. In addition he carries a genetic trait of pale blue skin which he has yet to reveal to his fellow brothers.



• Battle Brother Zahariel, Apothecary of the Shadow Hunters (Dark Angels Successor). Zahariel dedicates all he does to the Emperor. He appears to be a model battle brother, though the roots of the Dark Angels secrecy still lies within him.



• Battle Brother Mortis, Techmarine of the Night Reapers (Ultramarines Successor). Mortis is calm, cold and calculating as you would expect from a disciple of the Mechanicum. Like all techmarines he possesses a servo arm. In addition he has an array of Mechandrites.

Some of the team have already taken part in the cleansing of Baraban. Where despite success Brother Ansum required extensive treatment in the Apothecarian after a Tau Commander nearly took off his arm with a plasma blast.

This full team will first meet tomorrow. By which point if we have still received no word From Watch Station 852XA2, I believe their first mission should be to investigate and secure the Station.

Servais out---