Rosenkrantz 47

	Rosenkrantz_GM	IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Dynasty's involvement in the conflict on the Knight World of Fascen has proven to be difficult. The war appears to be bogged down with the insular, unending ceremony of the Knight Houses on the planet, and the internal conflict that threatens to split the planet before the Ork hordes.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Captain Friedrich's audience with Kigh King (or Grand Prince) Atum, revealed that House Travenne has a powerful backing, or at least the recognition of, the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Imperial Navy, and a mysterious Astartes representative.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	In contrast, a rather impatient Lord Wilhelm has informed that High King Lyan Reynder has the recognition and support of the Imperial Guard, the Administratum, and the Ecclesiarchy.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You arrive in the Reynder Stronghold, the Green and Gold on the banners marking the House's possessions.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The black gun-cutter of Lord Wilhelm is the first thing you see as the loading ramp lowers before you; guarded by two House Guardsmen.
	Michael	Approaches the two House Guard
	Michael	"Who gave you these Coordinates?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The two snap to attention, and salute.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Coordinates, Captain?"
	=-=	Michael is now known as Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm
	Makh_Chomun	follows behind, his armored boots clacking on the stonework.
	Vivian	quietly just.. Follows behind, bringing her hand up to clasp her fingers over the bridge of her nose, indicating a headache coming on.
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	"Who gave Wilhelm the Coordinates to this location?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"My Lord, I'm afraid I can't answer that. We are Lord Wilhelm's security detail."
	Makh_Chomun	"Lord-Captain, they more than likely don't know. You'd have to ask Lord Wilhelm that." Makh comments to him in a low voice.
	Vivian	"Or the pilot.." She'd mumble.
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	"I was more asking if you could point me in the direction of someone who knew rather than just stand there and stare at me." he says in mounting frustration
	Baine_Mort	 /me makes his way down the ramp to join the group
	Josef	"That situation was rather confusing and embarrassing."
	Makh_Chomun	"Don't blame them for doing their job." He looks to the HG. "I assume Wilhelm is inside?"
	Vivian	draws away and instead heads towards where the High Court would be taking place. Letting the Lord-Captain and the others figure out what is happening, she would instead like to see if she can eavesdrop, at the very least.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Yes, Lord Protector. He is in the Court of the Knight King."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You can hear, and feel the patterned thumping of something large moving around outside the walls.
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	Turns and makes his way towards the gate
	Makh_Chomun	"Thank you lads, carry on."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Before you reach the entrance, the doors open wide.
	Makh_Chomun	takes a moment to go to the wall and look beyond it to see what's making that thumping noise.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	A metal giant moves towards the stronghold. The armor scarred and damaged, the shoulder plate dented and damaged.
	Baine_Mort	also goes to take a look with Chomun.
	Makh_Chomun	"Look at the size of it." Makh says in wonder.
	Baine_Mort	"Damn, would love to see one of these in action."
	Vivian	crosses her arms. Vivian then looked over towards Makh before raising a brow lightly, offering a cheeky little grin. "Take it in while you can, now. As soon as Wilhelm gets out here, we're going to have hell on our hands."
	Vivian	"In fact, I predict that we're probably going to go deaf before we even get back to our ship."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The gates to the Hold now fully open, you see a woman in power armor conversing with a trooper in heavy armor, with a full metallic face mask.
	Makh_Chomun	grins. "There's some truth to that." He then turns and joins the rest of the group. There will be time to see one of those metal giants in action soon enough.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Not simple militants. You carry the legacy of Saint Drusus," the woman says as though assuring the trooper.
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	Approaches the two, before introducing himself "Friedrich Wilhelm of the Rosenkrantz Dyansty."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The woman turns to face you.
	Vivian	watches, only inwardly flinching as the interaction proceeds.
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	"I'm sorry to interrupt, but do you know the location of Wilhelm Rosenkrantz?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Sister Eylia," she says simply, with a respectful nod.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"The Lord Rosenkrantz is having an audience with High King Lyan," she says pointing down the large hallway to a man standing guard in front of a door.
	-->|	Richter_Belmont (CTesta@6737E726.E6FF146F.547AA70E.IP) has joined #rosenkrantz
	Makh_Chomun	gives an apologetic grin to the sister and her little friend, winking at the both of them.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	As you approach the doors to the main chamber, you can hear the rehearsed, tedius form of speech of the inhabitants of this world.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"It is with gratitude that we hear you, friend and ally."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The doors are opened for you without question, and almost immediately an aide of Lord Wilhelm approaches you.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"My Lords," he whispers.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Over his shoulder you can see the familiar setup of the Court. Wilhelm sits alongside a man in a greatcoat, with whom he appears to exchange one or two words whilst a cleric addresses the chamber.
	Vivian	quietly contemplates just how the next series of events will unfold.. Will it be in anger? Disbelief? Embarrassment? All of the above? Vivian's arms crossed as she just simply stared and watched. Otherwise she'd comfortably draw her cloak closer to her form.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Thank you, most gracious High King Lyan!" the cleric begins.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	While the address is delivered, the nervous dynastic aide motions for you to make your way towards Lord Wilhelm. A row of pews has been reserved for you just behind him; seating for the advisors of all the men present at the court surround the Exhalted Court.
	Makh_Chomun	takes a seat on pew nearest the front, he doesn't take the center of it though, and rests his bulk on the side.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You are seated next to the advisors of the man in the great coat. By the looks of him, and those who have come with him, he must be an important figure in the Imperial Guard.
	Baine_Mort	takes a seat as well next to Chomun
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	sits directly behind Wilhelm
	Vivian	settles on in, where she can. Otherwise, she'd take out her dataslate and quietly busy herself- keeping an attentive ear for now.
	Josef	decides it would be wiser to listen in near the back wall of the room.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"We answer the call to this unholy threat! The Bishops have thus called for the faithful of Maccabius Quintus to the fight!"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Reinforcements for the 2113rd Jannissaries have been diverted to this planet, accompanied by the faithful militias assembled by the pious pilgrims of the shrineworld! Thousands of souls ready to fight and die for what is right!"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"These /militas/ are less than fodder. Dressed in light rags, and incapable of sustaining themselves. They're a burden to my supply lines," the Imperial Guard senior officer says, leaning close to Wilhelm.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Three knocks on the chamber's doors interrupt the cleric.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The High King rises.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Court, Wilhelm included, do the same.
	Makh_Chomun	follows their lead and stands himself.
	Baine_Mort	stands as well.
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	stands
	Vivian	of course follows suit.
	Josef	was already standing.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The chamber doors are opened, and the hulking form of an Astartes makes its way forward.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	It is a complete breach of the strict protocol you have somehow gotten used to in the Knight Courts, but it is taken as anything but a transgression. The High King forms a disturbing smile on his scarred face.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"HIGH KING REYNDER. I AM SERGEANT CYLEN. I COME TO FULFILL MY CHAPTER'S ANCIENT PLEDGE TO YOUR HOMEWORLD, AND YOUR HOUSE."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Sergeant Cylen. House Reynder has never doubted the resolute warriors of the Storm Wardens. You and your brothers are welcome here, as friends, and allies."
	Makh_Chomun	notes the differences in the armor between this Sergeant Cylen and the other warrior in the court they visited earlier.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"IT WAS THE HOUSE OF ROSENKRANTZ, HIGH KING, WHO ALERTED MY CHAPTER TO THIS CRISIS. WE MOBILIZED AS SOON AS THE GREENSKIN INFESTATION WAS MADE KNOWN TO US."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The entire court turns to Wilhelm.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He gives them a gracious bow of the head. Some perfect balance between humility and hubris in the expression... it's impressive.
	Makh_Chomun	snorts to himself.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The gathering goes on... drags on, for the better part of four hours, as step by step, the courtly motions go on, every speaker making their pledge, every party asserting their willingness to see the common foe defeated.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	But as the details are revelaed, a concerning series of numbers is revealed to you by the General's staff.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The High King's House is understrength.
	Makh_Chomun	folds his arms, frowning.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Where House Travenne is able to field 13 Knights, the High Kings' number just eight.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Furthermore, the House levy -roughly the equivalent of PDF forces- has been wiped out almost in its entirety.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Perhaps most troubling of all, is that the last few months' worth of casualties can be attributed directly to the infighting between the Knight Houses.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	As far as the General, and his own staff is concerned, this is a losing campaign.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	When it is all over, Wilhelm turns to you, and mutters "Vivian, find us an empty room. We need to convene."
	Vivian	"Sir." Was mumbled, before she'd swiftly leave to scope out such a room.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He turns back to the General, and continues their conversation, as they exit the court.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	In truth, the depletion of the House is such, that empty chambers are not difficult to come by. The Stronghold, mighty as it appears on the outside, is largely empty, as even household servants were pushed into the levy to die, likely at the hand of their fellow man.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Vivian finds an abandoned room, and soon Wilhelm and the General both make their way inside, each with their own retinue.
	Vivian	of course, held the door open, gently gesturing inside with a warm, welcoming smile. As Wilhelm passed, she would whisper. "Shall I stay, or go?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"I need you all in here."
	Vivian	"Yes, Sir."
	Baine_Mort	nods and makes his way into the room.
	Makh_Chomun	is the last to enter.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Dropping any hint of ceremony, Wilhelm gets right to it.
	Vivian	closes the door behind the last, standing at it as 'guard', for now.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"General Rellib, this is my Nephew Friedrich. He is Captain of one of the vessels in orbit. Lord Protector Chomun will be the man most like yourself, responsible for war assets and forces."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The General nods at you as you're named.
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	"Good to meet you General." he says, bowing quickly
	Makh_Chomun	nods to the grizzled general.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"The logistics of this endeavor have been facilitated by Lady Vivian. And Master Mort is the man who can coordinate the sorts of strikes that can level a stronghold even as impressive as this."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"As for Master Josef, he is--"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"A Genetor," the General interrupts.
	Makh_Chomun	quirks an eyebrow at that. "You're quite knowledgeable Lord General."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Now, there is much that needs to be discussed. But as we have all become painfully aware, the situation is more complicated than we could have thought."
	Vivian	crossed her arms, her back leaning against the door as she watched and listened.
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	"Warring Houses."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"I have been communicating to the High King the importance of finding unification for months, since I arrived in the theater. These Knights are as headstrong as they come... wasteful in their engagements, and seemingly willing to risk it all for 'honor' and other pursuits."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The general is clearly frustrated with his situaion.
	Makh_Chomun	"Sounds like they need something to make them unite for the good of God-Emperor and Imperium."
	Baine_Mort	"You would think an Ork Invasion would be enough to get them to work together."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"The Navy has only complicated things, with their erroneus determination that Atum is High King. Coordination has been beyond difficult. And the recent arrival of an Ork fleet has made things even more complicated."
	Makh_Chomun	"What enemy was being fought before this ork invasion?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Now, General, it is that arrival which piques my lay curiosity." Wilhelm says, almost flirtatiously.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Before? You misunderstand. The Orks have been fighting here for years. When it appeared that the Navy had finally gained the upper hand in orbit and across the system, a new fleet, dozens of ships strong showed up. It was enough to make Scintilla reconsider the status of this world... we risk being left behind."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"This new ork fleet, General. Did they deploy planetside in some way?"
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	Holds his tongue, instead absorbing all the information he can.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He nods. "The Northern Range. They made several landings there, rather than directly to the front. I can't say I have ever understood these xenos, but something more interesting than the fight seemed to have caught their attention up there."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Well, my dear advisors. Call this meeting a War Council," Wilhelm says.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"What are we to do?"
	Captain_Friedrich_Wilhelm	"Obviously consolidating the available forces is our top priority."
	Makh_Chomun	"I'm rather curious myself why such brutes didn't immediately shore up their front lines, or charge for that matter. From what I understand of the beasts as the Genetor has taught me the Orks are usually pretty straight forward."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"The majority of the forces under my command are completely immobile. The defense is holding, but it is fragile. The only mobile elements available to us now are the shrineworld Jannissaries, and their zealots."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"As I understand it, Sororitas arrived with them, but in nothing like the amount necessary to make a difference," the General adds.
	Captain_Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"As well as Storm Warden Astartes."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Indeed," the General nods.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"I'm afraid the rest of the Imperial presence on this world now coordinates with Grand Prince Atum, despite the Administratum's recognition of High King Lyan as Governor."
	Captain_Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"We also witnessed Machanicus Skitari and an unknown Astartes aiding them."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Then how fortunate we are, General, that my Nephew took the... initiative to meet with the Grand Prince prior to our meeting."
	Makh_Chomun	"Could we manipulate the other side to focus it's attentions on the enemy?
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"If House Rosenkrantz can reconcile the two parts, and bring this planet together, you will have accomplished a great thing. However, the Imperium's negotiators have failed at every turn."
	Vivian	"Out of curiosity. Does anyone know how they've attempted to 'negotiate' thus far?"
	Captain_Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	Looks to Wilhelm, a small smile spreading on his lips
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Foolishly," the General says dismissively.
	Captain_Friedrich_Rosenkrantz	"Negotiations." he mouths
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"When the conflict started, the Houses had yet to decide that open warfare was the way they'd do things. Years of negotiations later, and they will butcher one another on sight."
	Vivian	"General, forgive me for being blunt. But it would be ideal to know -how- initial attempts have gone. Is there any documentation?" She was genuinely curious. Just to see what has been tried before.
	Makh_Chomun	"Quite a task we have ahead of us then."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"I was told to observe cease-fires only to receive reports of my lines being destroyed by dueling Knights."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"I am afraid I can't say. The negotiators placed here were all executed months ago."
	Vivian	gave a rather deadpan stare. "..Oh. .. Boy."
	Vivian	looked at Friedrich. Just staring at him.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Fodder," Wilhelm says.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The General looks at him with a quizzical look on his face.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"You said the zealots were fodder."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Less than fodder," he corrects Wilhelm.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"And a burden on your logistics, if I recall."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The General nods.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Allow my Lord Protector to lift the burden, General."
	Vivian	raised a brow.
	Makh_Chomun	"As you will, my lord."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The General looks back to one of his logistics officers.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"We have an interest in the most recent Ork arrival, General."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"An interest... of course,"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Wilhelm looks directly at Josef.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Tell him, Magos, of the special something we can offer this front."
	Josef	"Yes, my lord?"
	Vivian	briefly brought her hand up to rub over her left arm- frowning lightly as she recalled Josef's 'alterations'. Those were not pleasant times. Why did this thought come to mind.
	Josef	"Oh.... Something 'special' How vague, but interesting."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Explain to the general how the ZB compound works, Josef."
	Josef	"It is a pesticide that destroys the Xenos Spores. It can be aerial sprayed from low-level flights."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Very well. I won't ask how you have access to such a compound, but it is undoubtedly going to be necessary."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"You may take the Maccabian Militias."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Whatever you do, I ask that you coordinate with us. I cannot afford to have another rogue element conducting military operations."
	Makh_Chomun	"Understood, Lord General."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"You will need to speak with Major Tsavice, of the Jannissaries. They are officially under his command as reinforcements. But you have my blessing to requisition them as needed."
	Makh_Chomun	"Very well, shouldn't be too much trouble, I hope." He looks to Wilhelm. "When shall we start, m'lord?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The General's intel officer hands one of Wilhelm's aides a dataslate.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Immediately!" Wilhelm says, having noticed the hand-over of the Ork landings information.
	Makh_Chomun	"Aye, m'lord. Where can I find this Major, Lord General?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"North of the Stronghold. You can't miss it. They're in my camp."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	=========Skiparoonius Patroonius========
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Northern Range is a large formation of mountains sticking out of the white-coated continent. The Jannissaries, however, don't know anything about that. They are eager to fight, and seem to think that you've arrived with orders.