Selling Souls
Premise
Communication from the Council of Inquisitors at Valedor.
To the combined Inquisitorial team previously instructed to attend upon the Agri-World Trebatha.
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We congratulate you on your successful discovery and disruption of the foul Genestealer cult and your Emperor blessed escape from the Xenos Tyranid swarm.
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You are to proceed immediately to Shaheen for further investigation of the trade in Chogorian slaves from Trebatha and the flight of its planetary governor Alzira Tavernes.
The imperative action however, following information received from an Imperial agent, is to round up and question any citizens associated with the ‘Red Diamonds’ slaver gang in the shanty town, at the edge of Hive city Alpha, to establish the Chogorian slaves’ whereabouts.
Shaheen, renowned for its floating pleasure gardens, a potential hiding place for Alzira Tavernes, as a Hive world, makes the tracing of Genestealer tainted even more difficult.
The threat to the Imperium remains ever present.
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The Emperor Protects
This game took place 17th-19th July 2026 at The Grange Coventry
Only in Death Does Duty End – ‘Selling Souls’ A Retrospective
Shaheen 3.750.999.M41
Segmentum Ultima – Denepo
Sector • Secundus Sub sector
Shaheen used
to be an arboreal world, settled towards the end of the Great Crusade. However
over centuries of colonisation several Hive cities have grown up and, in many
cases, merged. The major of these ‘Hive City Alpha’ has remnants of woods
clinging to the edges of its limits and are used by outlaws and gangs in Shanty
towns to evade the local Adeptus Arbites.
Some of the
more exotic and beautiful trees have been ‘saved’ by nobles by pouring huge
amounts of money into the use of old environmental engines, and over the years
by building a myriad of pleasure ‘sky islands’ powered by ancient gravitic
motors to float above the Hive world in comfort and clean air, accessed only by
their own personal ‘sky lifts’
However all
of these technologies are beginning to show their age despite attempts to
repair them and gradually they are doomed to fade and fail. Some are abandoned,
others merely dilapidated.
The Noble
families of Shaheen are a far cry from the strong dynasties of the past that
formed the high production world and kept order. These days they are more
likely to dally with other sports and pastimes rather than drive the economy
itself. They, in particular are the perfect market for the more ‘entertaining’
strains of mushrooms from Trebatha.
*****
The Council
of Inquisitors at Valedor instructed you to proceed immediately to Shaheen for
further investigation of the trade in Chogorian slaves from Trebatha and the
flight of its planetary governor Alzira Tavernes.
The
imperative action however, following information received from an Imperial
agent, was to round up and question any citizens associated with the ‘Red
Diamonds’ slaver gang in the shanty town, at the edge of Hive city Alpha, to
establish the Chogorian slaves’ whereabouts.
*****
Despite
members of the group from Trebatha missing on missions elsewhere, the group on
Shaheen were joined by a fellow Catachan survivor of Trebatha ‘Cleo Blake’ (Flo
Warren) and new attachments to the various branches of the group, a Tanith
‘Griph’ (Andrew Farthing), a new Navigator ‘Bertram Edmund Milicent Von Hexa’
(Andrew Hawkins) and an Interrogator ‘Lucien Mordane’ (Reece King).
*****
On the Friday
night the group approached the Shanty town identified by an inquisitorial
agent, who had since gone silent, as the base for the Red Diamond gang. A mix
of Red Diamond gang members and cowed locals inhabited the settlement. After
much shouted discussion the local boss ‘Lanto Caldren’ (James Clokey) allowed
the group in. This was no doubt a disappointment to those of the Tanith who had
been quietly working to undo the Barbed wire blocking several of the entry
points.
Once inside
more animate discussion was had, and hearing screams of pain from the Local
bosses building, the group decided to investigate further. They found Inquisitor
Helstrom’s agent, Commissar ‘Tellera Janis’ (Elizabeth Kasprzyk) being
tortured. Several other discoveries were made, an encrypted data tablet of Red
Diamond dealings, and to several Astra Militarum, the shock of a 3 armed
Genestealer hiding within one of the buildings. During the mayhem, the gangers
decided they took exception to the searches and opened fire. This resulted in
many casualties.
Lanto
Caldren as head of this branch of the Red Diamonds was interrogated by Helstrom
and admitted to trafficking humans to other Imperial groups including some
specific nobility. He also mentioned meeting a black clad figure in spiky
armour. Shortly after, more attacks from the border to the Hive city, including
3 gangers on Motorbikes started. With many of the group injured, the first
light of dawn was seen.
*****
On the Saturday
morning, further searches revealed more injured parties and the Medicae
were kept very busy. Sometime around dawn someone had executed Lanto Caldren as
he sat in his office. Supplies of Soylens Viridens was found and liberated.
This was a Green packaged addictive version which was being trafficked by the
Red Diamonds and caused some argument within the Astra Militarum about food and
supplies. A hidden coded message to be sent to Alzira Tavernes was discovered
and another agent, this time of Inquisitor Harling, Interrogator ‘Aurelia’
(Debbie Clear). A parley was had with a group of Red Diamond gangers making it
clear that the ‘new’ boss would give them 10 minutes to clear out or the place
would be attacked by literally hundreds of gangers. Seeing all the civilians
running away and with no way of knowing the truth, the group withdrew to
investigate the ‘Noble’ links.
*****
Just as the
group started to ascend to the first ‘sky island’ – “Vertex Isle” those with
psychic sensitivities started to receive chaotic, fragmented visions.
Despite
having to use the relatively small (8 persons max.) and rickety ‘sky lift’, 3
times to transport the group, the Vertex Isle was relatively quiet. Having
discovered a ‘Hunting Lodge’ with several trophies, the group encountered a noble
dressed in bright blue and wearing a golden stag mask, ‘High Scion Elar of House
Kasayen’ (Nick Reynolds). He was very enthusiastic and co-operative but disturbingly
kept human slaves and a sanctioned Kroot mercenary as a gamekeeper. Members of
the group were invited to compete in a hunt against his guards using the slaves,
but Helstrom declined the offer on everybody's behalf.
There were
some intermittent Red Diamond gang attacks coming from the elevator, not
particularly in force and they were repelled.
When High
Scion Elar gave the permission for the Kroot to eat a slave, the Kroot was put
down by Inquisitor Helstrom.
Unphased by
the loss of his Gamekeeper, High Scion Elar mentioned some other nobles who
might know more about the missing planetary governor. He had recently invited
most of them to a birthday party the week prior and believed there was another
dinner to be arranged later that day. He said he’d arrange for the group to be
invited, and would meet the group there, mentioning in passing, that there was also a
Magos Biologis on that specific sky island “Azuris Island” who had dealings
with the slaves and tested for the Genestealer taint. With that the group
descended the sky lift to find their way to the next sky island.
*****
On Saturday
afternoon, once again those with psychic sensitivities received chaotic,
fragmented visions. Travelling to “Azuris Island” by another lift, the group assured
by Elar they were on the right island and that the Nobles would join them soon,
were invited to explore. The group found slaves scattered, some not in their
pens some still inside cowering. They spoke of howling in the night. The guards
meant to be guarding them were apparently missing. Some did attempt escape and
some of the group were injured in the attempt
The group
found the laboratory of Magos Dominus Rhoax-32 (Simon Bailey) and his assistant
Adept Omrho-25 (Andy Pye). Inside were terrifying experiments which had
significant effects on all but the Tech Priests (Ben Oliver & Alex Clark).
The Magos inside was interested in samples and held deep discussion on the
vivisection of slaves including Genestealers.
When the
Magos and Adept were called away to the surface, the group discovered a data
slate which mentioned the importing of a 4th generation Genestealer. Also after
dismantling a defunct Servo Skull, and using the UV lamp detached from it on a
Journal, it was found that they may have experimented upon Genestealers and
created a wolf like humanoid and worryingly maybe also have had contact with
Drukhari Haemonculi.
At least 2
of these ‘werewolves’, attacked the group but the well-armed Astra Militarum
cut them down quite rapidly. These were presumed to be why some slaves didn't
try to escape.
Several
Nobles arrived with their personal bodyguards and made their way leisurely to
the dining area through the group, chatting happily with all.
A Noble
Couple - Baron Alusel Daron of House Corenor (Geoffrey Hedger) & Baroness
Halorel Daron of House Corenor,(Mel Reed) a husband and wife who seemed to
dislike each other but in common loved hunting. They were very disappointed to
find the werewolves dead.
Noble in Red
- High Scion Kasaard Marian - Tortanon Dynasty (James Clokey) who had a passion
for food and drink.
Noble in
Green - Sir Mararus of Family Moranon, (David Harvey) who was quite quiet, and
kept that way by most of the other nobles.
Noble in a
Dark green and with silver waistcoat - Baron Renaren of House Valtanen (Paul
Watson) who enthused greatly over the sounds of the wood and environment in
general.
The only
angry individual was Dame Darusan Maran of House Valyar, (Claire Barclay)
dressed in Black with the humour to match, as she accused someone in the group
of stealing her precious jewellery.
The Magos
and Adept returned whilst the remaining samples had been tested by the Tech
priests and were confronted over their experiments and possible Xenos contact.
There was violent argument and both were killed, and some of the experiments
and items in the room smashed and their contents scattered. The Laboratory was
burnt to the ground afterwards as a late precaution to contamination.
*****
At this
point there was a lull, as the group discussed at length how to approach the
upcoming dinner party. The Ecclesiast Priest (Chris Hannaford) gave a sermon.
The
Inquisitors devised a plan. Each noble would be followed by a team of agents, with
at least one specialist, they would keep their noble in sight at all times and
find out when their ‘obsessions’ began.
The group
was urged to act when the distinctive voice of the Baroness Halorel (Mel
Reed)was heard though the trees; “Are you coming to dinner or not!!?”
The servants
wended their way through everybody assembled, offering cakes, exotic fruits,
drinks, chilled Kroot Brain and other delicacies, and the group mingled with
the various Nobles. Midway through the discussions everyone was surprised by an
assault by fighters from the woods, thought to be more Red Diamonds who injured
a large number of people. The group reacted quickly, with a triage centre set
up and even the servants sent out to retrieve the wounded. The Baroness as
formidable as ever, activated her ring mounted ‘Void Shield’ and went ‘ganger
hunting’ with glee!
After
recovering, the group gathered around the cabin owned by Dame Darusen as it
contained as one its decorations a very colourful picture of the God Emperor
standing in armour and wearing a power claw. Some sensed subtle chaos energies from
it. When the Psyker ‘Katrin Tomas’ (Sarah Clarke) touched it, she recoiled and
when it was turned over an equally colourful but shocking image of the Demon Slaanesh
was revealed, resulting in shock to all who saw it. The Dame was instantly
arrested despite the protestations of her guard.
All of the
Nobles having been questioned over their ‘fascinations’, it was concluded that
they all started about 1 year ago. Baron Renaren & High Scion Kasaard
Marian were released without charge [only to be ‘assassinated’ moments later
in the woods by agents unknown but suspected to be acting on behalf of
Inquisitor Helstrom]. Dame Darusen repented and swore to a life of
compliance, under threat of death, allowing the tainted picture (that seemed to
have corrupted so many) to be destroyed.
The most
tragic scene, which moved those who witnessed it, was a last minute confession
of regret and love before Baron Alusel Daron & Baroness Halorel Daron were
executed for heresy by Inquisitor Harling, dying in each other’s arms.
About this
time Sir Mararus ‘the noble in green’ claimed
he had a lead, on where the missing planetary governor was supposed to be. He
could not disclose his sources, and Interrogator Aurelia advised against taking
his word, claiming he would do anything for money or power.
The group
returned to Shaheen after repairing the sabotaged sky lift.
*****
Saturday night, yet again those with psychic
sensitivities received chaos themed, fragmented visions.
The group acting
on a lead by Sir Mararus travelled by yet another sky lift to “Shaeldu Isle”. As
darkness fell, the group approached a small fortress cautiously.
Arriving,
they found 3 Drukhari in full armour who taunted the ‘Mon Keigh’ as they termed
the group, and warned about of humankind’s ignorance and a release of the
"hounds"!? Shortly after they opened fire, but the Astra Militarum
were well prepared and cut the Xenos down rapidly.
There was a
lull as the group investigated the fortress, finding nothing of note. Suddenly
with an eerie scream, a pair of white haired figures were suddenly seen, phasing
in and out of reality they appeared here and there around the fortress
paralysing many. However, targeting the two inquisitors they struck them down
and then disappeared.
Sir Mararus
was nowhere to be found and was presumed to have escaped or been killed by the
white haired killers. (Mandrakes – Harri and Andy O’Leary)
Realising
the quest had been a wild goose chase, the group returned to the sky lift, only
to be ambushed by uniformed ‘Tavernes’ soldiers. Having fought their way
through them, they took the lift down expecting sabotage at every stage.
Sunday morning it was decided to return to the only
Noble who had not been executed after the ‘Dinner Party’, to see if she could
give more insight into Alzira Tavernes whereabouts.
The group
met Dame Darusen sipping tea and discussing her gardening project with her head
gardener and her noble friend, non-other than The High Scion Elar accompanied
by his guards.
Elar had
made some enquiries after the last meeting, as requested, and was able to tell
the Inquisitors where Alzira Tavernes was. Unfortunately suspicions were riding
high. He was declared a heretic and executed by Inquisitor Helstrom, protesting
his genuine innocence to the last. His guards moved to act, but Inquisitor
Harling defused the situation allowing them to withdraw.
The group
realising this might be their best chance to catch Alzira, nevertheless decided
to acknowledge a Saint’s day with a rousing sermon from the Ecclesiarst Priest.
*****
Suitably motivated
& enthused the group travelled to the final sky island “Empyris Enclave”.
Those of psychic sensitivities were forewarned of a threat but chose not to
disclose it to the rest. The group approached the Tavernes Castle and after a
brief parley, assaulted the buildings defended by Tavernes soldiers. Having
broken in they also found more Drukhari who fought to the death.
Searching
for Alzira a number of things were discovered:-
A Drukhari
personal skimmer; [destroyed at the order of Inquisitor Helstrom, despite the
protestations of the Pilot ‘Leo von Colebrooke’ (David Dorward)]
A 3-armed
Genestealer hiding in a jail; [Executed as foul corruption]
A locked
briefcase;
The
governors cloak strewn on the ground in the compound; [Alzira appearing to have
just left]
And a door that
appeared to lead to nowhere, that was identified by the Psyker as connected to
the Warp. She decided to attempt a Divination in front of the door as many
others left the building.
After
deciphering another data slate, the briefcase was unlocked and the puzzle
cylinder inside eventually opened. This contained a sigil of the Drukhari Kabal
of The Lost Path, and three sets of planetary co-ordinates.
Shortly
after the divination and as the puzzle was opened, the Warp gate also opened
and two Daemonettes (Harri & Andy O’Leary)
emerged and attacked anyone in sight. After a spirited defence including use of
‘Warp Stun’ by Navigator ‘Bertie’ and many casualties they were driven back.
Work started
to recover the bodies strewn across the castle, with the Warp Portal remaining open
and affecting all who saw it.
Suddenly the
island began to shake as the gravitic engines, whether through cruel
coincidence or sabotage began to fail.
Despite the
need to tend to the physically and mentally wounded, everybody fled and eventually
succeeded in descending to the Hive City below, in time to see the massive sky lift
cable come down and crush large swathes of the city.
*****
Alzira
had narrowly escaped, though the name of the potential destination planet and
its co-ordinates were known.
Genestealers,
still appeared to be present wherever he or Tavernes forces were, though not in
the numbers of Trebatha.
The
search is to continue .................................................................…. Only in Death Does Duty End – ‘Stealing Souls’ 19th
– 21st March 2027