Dark Heresy: Disciples of The Dark Gods

A dark day in december I finaly got my hands on this book. And I have to say that it was worth waiting for. The overall look of this book is just as good as any of the other books that Fantasy Flight has released into the game. This time around I can honestly say that this is one scary book. The structure of the book follows the three (biggest) Ordos of the Inquisition. You got your Xenos-threats, your heretics and your Daemons. And you also get a well-written scenario at the end of the book that can really put the players in a tight spot. The only drawback, as I see it is that I had hoped for some more gear, some interresting relics and some more "usefriendly" adversaries. I'm personaly not fond about stuff that say : "If it touches you - you die", well, it works in CoC but not in Dark Heresy.

This book is a must-buy for all Dark Heresy Gamemasters. I'll promise that you will find a 1001 new ways to torment your players after you read it - I did anyway!

Right now the only thing to do is to wait until "Creatures Anathema" is released!

Dark Heresy Characters

I had a little time over last week, so I decided to take some time and try and make some minis that represent the players in my Dark Heresy group. From left to right we have: The sanctioned Psycher. Who could easily be mistaken for a guardsman. He has gotten quite fond of his rocketlauncher he picked up during a small adventure out in the wastelands. Next up we have the hammer-swinging Preacher. The teams "face". The man with the guard-uniform and the Heavy Stubber is the teams Guardsman. A brutish feral man with more guns than social skills. And last but not least we have the teams Assassin. A long-range killer who loves to sneak around in the shadows just as much as charging head on with Autogun set to full-auto. These four ones are not the most social team of Acolytes in the sector.

The first "Dark Heresy" session

The first session was also a kind of testrun. To see if the game was a "keeper" or if I should put it back on the shelf. After a bit of work the final cast was made up by: a Preacher from a wartorn Imperial world. A rugged and violent ex. guardsman from a feral backwater world. And last but not least a Voidborn Psycher. The trio soon descended on the Gorgonide Mine in search for some answers and some action. The gamingsession went on in staggering steps, but it got us all to get to know the rules, the skills and the combatsystem of the game. And there were also a lot of laughs.
The Preacher learned how important a helmet can be, the Guardsman learned the joy of burstfire and the Psycher almost became a victim of "perils of the warp" - twice.

All in all both me and my players had a good time. And "Dark Heresy" will surely be on the menu a lot in the future! Also, I got my hands on both "Purge The Unclean" and "The Inquisitors Handbook", so there will be a lot of catching up the comming week.
Final score: Acolytes 1 - Mutants 0.

New releases, stuff and books.

There's a lot of stuff going on right now! The release of the new Daemons and all the buzz about the new, 5:th edition of Warhammer 40k is about to go to my head. I'm getting tired about all the rumors about all the changes that are to come! (or not to come). Frankly speaking: I don't care! But the reason for that could be that I'm more interrested in building/converting/painting than in gaming! I read the latest edition of White Dwarf the other day, and the info on the new rules edition was scarse to say the least. But the stuff about the "line of sight" isn't really that new. At my place this one has always been the "house-rule", in all 40k and Necromunda games.
But I do have to say that if GW wants to take the game down a more "storyfriendly"-road, then I'm the last person to complain! I have always opted for more story and less rules. I'm no "rules-lawyer" and I hate everything that it stands for. What the new, 5:th edition of Warhammer 40K rules will contain is a question for the future to resolve. I'm not going to dig into all the rumors out there!
On a more interresting point Fantasy Flight Games have announced the releases of the "Purge the unclean" and "Inquisitors Handbook" -books. Now that's good news I tell you! But it there will be a hefty pricetag on them both. But the "Inquisitors Handbook" feels like a "must-buy" in my mind. In my opinion there are a lot of gaps in the core-rulebook that needs to be filled. I'm especially thinking about more info on guns, armor, gear and vehicles. And there are a lot of info-gaps when it comes to some of the Xenos. I'd like more gamestats on Orks, Eldar, Tyranids and why not stats on Space Marines when they are at it.
Well, I don't think that I will ever be perfectly satisfied. But you can always hope that they hit the jackpot!

Fantasy Flight Games - "Dark Heresy" !

Fantasy Flight Games has finally gotten a grip on “Dark Heresy” and launched it onto their website. As usual you have the introduction of the game, forum, downloads (game aids, maps, character sheets etc.) you also have the production lineup. And I have to say that it’s looking promising. One book in particular feels like a “must-buy”, when it’s released. The Inquisitorial Handbook!
To cite the original text:” Ready your bolter and fulfil your destiny!” (Ok after reading the core rulebook and the Scourge the Heretic-novel, I would say “Ready your BOLTERS…” at the least).
“The Inquisitor's Handbook is the essential tome for creating richly developed, properly equipped, and thoroughly indoctrinated Acolytes to serve the God-Emperor. It covers everything needed to create a unique character in the 41st Millennium and is suitable for both players and Game Masters.”
“Explore advanced character generation, alternative ranks, and career paths including Black Priests of Maccabeus, Metallican Gunslingers (more Bolter shells in the air,please!), and Adepta Sororitas.”
“Equip yourself with a host of weapons and gear from across the forges, hives, and warzones of the Calixis Sector (this part I like, and I think it’s the most appealing part for my players). “
“Develop rich character backgrounds with in-depth commentary on the Calixis Sector, ranging from religion and superstition to unique tools and resources of the Holy Ordos.”
“Discover hints and tips on establishing alter egos, gaining new contacts and informants, and other detailed advice for agents of the Golden Throne. “
Well, this will be sweet, let’s check the price tag: $44.95, *sigh* another week of rice and frozen vegetables. But I think that it will be worth it!

Fantasy Flight Games "Dark Heresy"-page can be found at: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/dark-heresy/index.shtml .

At last!

Well, it took me some hunting before I got my hands on the "Dark Heresy"-rulebook. Some hunting that resulted in some financial setbacks, but just temporary (like only eating rice and frozen vegies for a week). But in my opinion it was worth it! The layout of this book was mindblowing (or just like I had imagined that a 40K-rpg should be).

The following production-squabble that Black Industries later announced was saddening news but I really don't have a clue right now how things are looking for the future of the game right now. But that's a whole other story.

Right now I'm trying to grasp the "Calixis Sector" setting. Scribbling down campaign-ideas and trying to convince my friends that "come on! it's really a great, but dark, game!".

And: yes, it's starting to get thru to them. Just need to educate them in the "40K World". Because we mostly play "ADD:Forgotten Realms", "d20: Modern" and "d20: Cybernet" kickstarting a "Dark Heresy"-campaign will be gaming in a highly different setting.

A great tip to anyone who are a fan of "Dark Heresy", or just a fan

of the Inquisition is: Read Sandy Mitchells "Scourge The Heretic".

A dark tale, which take the reader thrue a twisting tale. My first opinion of this book was: "disappointment". I was in the mood for some high octane violance - twin boltpistol-blasting, etc.

But after a while I couldn't close the book. The twisting tale takes the reader thrue different settings and as a roleplayer you really get the feeling that the Acolytes in the story could just as easily been a group of players moving from one clue to another.

"Scourge the Heretic" is a must-read for both future players and Game-masters when it comes to the "Dark Heresy"-rpg.