[Only War]Among the Savages (Mission #1)

[Das]

Your first mission begins with your squad strapped into the crash seats on the landing shuttle as it shakes and shutters upon it's entry onto a unknown world. Your far from your home planet of Cadian that much is for certain, the training like your entire life has been difficult but excitement is growing as you prepare for your first true war, this is only countered slightly with the knowledge that you might not survive a full day.. The massive vessel is large enough to carry two full platoons—plus support elements— of their regiment. All of the passenger seats are arranged in rows that run parallel to the trans-atmospheric shuttle’s outer walls across two interior decks. There are no exterior viewports within the passenger compartment, nor is there any viewscreen to provide information about the flight status. A series of red lights illuminate the interior of the shuttle during flight, casting everything in an eerie glow. The roar of the engines overshadows all other sound, save the occasional worried laugh or gasp from their fellows during flight. It is virtually impossible to carry on a conversation during flight. A whispered conversation would be all but impossible to hear over the engines. The platoons’ Commissars walk through the compartment using handholds hanging from the ceiling as they sway through the aisles. They issue regular reminders that this is a time for silent recitation of their devotions to the God-Emperor as the soldiers prepare to enforce his will. Anyone who makes too much of a disruption quickly faces their wrath. Each member of your squad wears their standard amour and carries their weapons. Other standard equipment is stored in a rucksack or comparable bag stored in a bin over their seat, with the exception of equipment that they might not normally carry. Heavy weapons and similar bulky items that remain vital to a Player Character’s core focus are partly disassembled and stowed beneath the seats. Your Squad was the last one to enter the vessel. Because of that, they are seated closest to the shuttle’s primary hatch. In the center of the transport are a dozen chimera transports, strapped into place.

[crazy ski 1701]

Maxi-mus sways back and forth, supporting himself on one leg, then the other as he makes his way through the crowded isles. as per regulations, each commissar inspected each others troops before returning to his own, to double and triple check the disposition of the men, to ensure no mistakes.

he sways with each step, then planing himself on one leg, so he doesn't look like hes swinging from the overhead hand holds. he yells over the racket of the drop ship, not at any one in particular, as he inspects troops kits at random.
"... i want a clean dispersion upon touch down, calm and fast... rushing and bunching up slows you down and gets you killed.... guard rule #1.. move forward... if you get separated from your team, Move forward... keep your weapons high and your actions clear.. or you'll turn your las into a club.... and move forward.... heavy weapons, watch you angels of fire and your positioning, so you not shooting the dirt... then... Move forward....Sargent s, keep your men together and watch your spacing, or one frag will kill you all... then.. move Forward... if you feel fear... remember.. the god emperor... has commanded you.. to slay his enemies, so fill your hearts with righteous rage... and.. Move Forward... remember to change your power packs every 4th or 5th burst to keep your las topped off with a fresh cell... then ... move forward!"

finishing up the last row, he heads for his jump seat to strap in for landing.

[Das]

You have all seen combat before. Your lives have centered around your training and your devotion to the Emperor. But in the eyes of most Imperial Guardsmen your regiment in it's newest incarnation are mere recruits. No respect given and no honor earned, yet. You had no idea where your unit was going or why or what you might be fighting. But that was the way of things, your just a cog in a huge machine. As the vehicle prepares for its final approach, the ship’s speakers crackle and a voice mumbles something almost
indistinguishable over the sound of the engines and the static
of the speakers.

A Difficult (–10) Awareness Test allows the characters to understand it the message.

Making Skill Tests

SKILL TESTS
All Skills are based on a Characteristic and when a character makes a Skill Test he is making a Characteristic Test. If he rolls equal or
less than his Characteristic on a 1d100 then he has been successful, if he rolls higher, then he has failed. More details on Characteristics
and Tests can be found in Chapter I: Playing the Game.

EXAMPLE
Jeff ’s character Theleus is attempting to infiltrate a Severan Dominate outpost and must scale the outside wall. Since this presents a challenge, and success is not guaranteed, the GM asks Jeff to make an Athletics Skill Test for Theleus. Athletics is based on Strength and so Jeff notes Theleus has a Strength of 32. Jeff then rolls 1d100 and scores a 27. He has rolled less than his character’s Strength and so has passed his Athletics Skill Test. Theleus successfully climbs into the outpost without incident.

If Awareness Test is success read below:

The ship’s pilot informs the passengers that they are entering a hot landing zone. Orks are currently attacking the depot’s spaceport. The squads should be prepared to engage in combat immediately upon disembarking. Landing should be in less than 10 minutes. Unless one of the characters succeeds at the Test, no one in the passenger compartment is capable of interpreting it. If the characters are able to understand the message, they may take whatever measures they wish to prepare for combat, including assembling heavy weapons or informing their officers of the upcoming conflict. Note, however, that the shuttle is shifting substantially and the engines are roaring as it prepares to make a hurried landing while under enemy fire. Any actions that require the characters to unstrap and work with tools suffer an additional –20 penalty due to the shuttle’s abrupt changes in altitude and direction.

[crazy ski 1701]

(( <21 crazy_ski_1701 rolls 1d100 and gets 75. fail ))

the command over the intercom is drowned out by the noise of the lander, Maximus makes for his crash seat to strap in.