I got my copy at Barnes and Noble, one of three on the shelf.
Presumably other BN stores will have copies on the shelf as well. Boy
am I glad I decided to fork over the money for it tonight....
I disagree in part. While, yes, Battlefleet Gothic and Spacefleet
both assumed huge ships, in the original Inquisitor novel (Ian Watson)
Jaq Draco had his own discrete Inquisitorial vessel crewed only by
himself, his navigator, squat and assassin. Also, in the original
Realm of Chaos, there were small imperial null ships that spied on the
Eyey of Terror. There was also an indication that many Rogue Traders
had smaller ships, and not whole fleets.
And he had a squat. Which no longer exist. Maybe when the squats went into hiding, they took all the small craft with them (as well as reasonably priced copies of that original book as well :-)
Tobias Maxilla's ship in Eisenhorn was huge, I envisioned it like a supertanker of the modern word. Small, automated crew, but still a hulking mass of a ship. Indeed, Schola Progenium mentions the Essene as being "3km long and 700m abeam", which confirms my impression from the books of the rogue trader's ship. And this was a single sprint trader...
Also, remember that the boarding action is a big part of 40K (space
Hulks, Genestealers, etc.)
But then the biggest part of 40K isn't covered in DH - Space Marines, Eldar, Orks, etc.
Exploration of a Space Hulk has some cool possibilities.
> What I really want to see is a chart for Travel Times (real and
perceived).
-snip-
It exists. Go the the Pangolin Saloon. I think there is also one in
my own Nightfall Sector Group, taken from the old Spacefleet rules.
Thanks for the heads up on Spacefleet, it at least is something to work off of. Too bad the numbers aren't so nicely "diceable", there would have to be a table made off of the table...
BTW: If these are still the "official" times for warp travel, then I
guess Eisenhorn just had a really slow ship, or maybe lots of warp
storms to contend with.
However, nobody ever accused GW of consistency. (-;
--- In dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com, "gloriousbattle"
<gloriousbattle@...> wrote:
>
> --- In dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com, adamgfrance@ wrote:
> >
> > Re interstellar travel times in DH/40K, the short answer is they
> ain't quick.
>
> -snip-
>
> Here,
>
>
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/40KDarkHeresy_NightfallSector/files/Twilight\
%20Subsector/
>
> are the enncounter tables for Twilight Subsector in the Nightfall
> Sector campaign. They are a combination of my work with gobs of stuff
> stolen from Stephen Pearson at the Pangolin Saloon. They were written
> for Inquisitor, but will soon be modified for Dark Heresy.
>
> In addition, this document contains the interstellar travel times
> table (perceived warp time, actual real time, etc.) from Spacefleet.
> I don't know if they ever did one for BFG.
>
--- In dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com, adamgfrance@... wrote:
>
> Re interstellar travel times in DH/40K, the short answer is they
ain't quick.
-snip-
Here,
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/40KDarkHeresy_NightfallSector/files/Twilight\
%20Subsector/
are the enncounter tables for Twilight Subsector in the Nightfall
Sector campaign. They are a combination of my work with gobs of stuff
stolen from Stephen Pearson at the Pangolin Saloon. They were written
for Inquisitor, but will soon be modified for Dark Heresy.
In addition, this document contains the interstellar travel times
table (perceived warp time, actual real time, etc.) from Spacefleet.
I don't know if they ever did one for BFG.
Re interstellar travel times in DH/40K, the short answer is they ain't quick.
The Eisenhorn books, which for a lot of the time happened across just one sub-sector, regularly mention 30 week journeys. When he headed out into the Halo Stars the time got even longer.
As a rule of thumb, and judging by Eisenhorn, I'd guess it'd take about 4-6 weeks to get from Scintilla to either Iocanthus, or Sepheris. But given a warp-storm or accident, that could be much longer. I don't think you could do it in less than 3 weeks. All guesswork of course.
Actually thinking about it, a random warp-travel event table might be damn useful. To take the arbitrariness out of hitting the pcs with a warp storm ... hmm may have a work on that.
--- In dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com, "Jonathan A. Gillett"
<sirjagman@...> wrote:
> Spaceship combat is mostly at level *MUCH* above what PCs would probably
> ever have any effect on, basing upon both the novels and Battlefleet
> Gothic. This isn't Star Wars or even Star Trek with small ships,
everything
> is big, huge and large. Not to cross genres too much, it would be
like in
> Star Wars if Star Destroyers were the smallest ships, not some of the
> largest. It isn't one pilot against another, it is dedicated specially
> trained crew vs. dedicated specially trained crew. Personally,
spaceship
> combat in DH is purely GM description
-snip-
I disagree in part. While, yes, Battlefleet Gothic and Spacefleet
both assumed huge ships, in the original Inquisitor novel (Ian Watson)
Jaq Draco had his own discrete Inquisitorial vessel crewed only by
himself, his navigator, squat and assassin. Also, in the original
Realm of Chaos, there were small imperial null ships that spied on the
Eyey of Terror. There was also an indication that many Rogue Traders
had smaller ships, and not whole fleets.
Also, remember that the boarding action is a big part of 40K (space
Hulks, Genestealers, etc.)
-unsnip-
> What I really want to see is a chart for Travel Times (real and
perceived).
-snip-
It exists. Go the the Pangolin Saloon. I think there is also one in
my own Nightfall Sector Group, taken from the old Spacefleet rules.
Space adventures where supposed to be in Rogue Trader (the now not to be published 40KRP 2nd core book, not the 1st edition WH40K TT core), so it's not surprising that there is not a mention of it in DH.
Spaceship combat is mostly at level *MUCH* above what PCs would probably ever have any effect on, basing upon both the novels and Battlefleet Gothic. This isn't Star Wars or even Star Trek with small ships, everything is big, huge and large. Not to cross genres too much, it would be like in Star Wars if Star Destroyers were the smallest ships, not some of the largest. It isn't one pilot against another, it is dedicated specially trained crew vs. dedicated specially trained crew. Personally, spaceship combat in DH is purely GM description and plot point.
And players hate that, I know. Many Sci-Fi RPG campaigns fail as the players get tired of the "broken ship of the week" scenerios were the GM uses the ship to shoehorn players into doing something, and also has it break at convenient moments to prevent the ship from becoming the most powerful weapon the characters have ("uh, no, the main guns won't work right now").
As I say this, I do have an adventure seed where there is going to need to be ship combat. The characters are just going to have to put up with the horror of not being able to do a darn thing about the ship being under attack and possibly being destroyed/crippled. But we all know they are going to survive (well the attack, that is), so I'm going to make sure it is the opening of the game and the game night, and I'm going to attempt to make such encounters rare and far between.
Now, if the characters insist on taking a ship into combat on their own, well, then they're just potentially screwed and won't have a lot to say about the outcome. Just like taking a taxi into a war zone, you're only along for the ride.
What I really want to see is a chart for Travel Times (real and perceived). Timing can be very important, especially if doing any sort of planet hoping. If you have 1 year to complete a mission that requires travel to 3 planets, how long can you stay on each one? Is there an order you have to go in to minimize your travel time? What if a Bad Guy escapes from Planet B and goes to set a plan in motion on Planet A while the party continues on to Planet C? Especially in investigative scenarios, timing is important, but even if on the 1st of Feb we get vehicular data to tell us travel times while planet side, we really need starship travel times.
-JAG
On Jan 29, 2008 10:34 AM, voidtrekker <voidtrekker@...> wrote:
Spaceship combat in DH (ALSO CROSS POSTED FROM NIGHTFALL SECTOR)
Doncha just love all this symbiosis?!
I have been reading the DH rules (just got my copy last Friday), and I
notice that there are no rules for spaceship combat, not even a gloss
over. How will you handle this in your games?
For me, I think I will come up with some kind of simple table that
maybe factors in the skills of the two pilots, the speed and combat
power of the ships, and just causes the characters to get knocked
around a little, and maybe a few scenery or roleplaying effects like
hull breaches in the ship or a loss of life support, warp drive, whatever.
After that, it will result in either an escape or a boarding action.
Spaceship combat in DH (ALSO CROSS POSTED FROM NIGHTFALL SECTOR)
Doncha just love all this symbiosis?!
I have been reading the DH rules (just got my copy last Friday), and I
notice that there are no rules for spaceship combat, not even a gloss
over. How will you handle this in your games?
For me, I think I will come up with some kind of simple table that
maybe factors in the skills of the two pilots, the speed and combat
power of the ships, and just causes the characters to get knocked
around a little, and maybe a few scenery or roleplaying effects like
hull breaches in the ship or a loss of life support, warp drive, whatever.
After that, it will result in either an escape or a boarding action.
But, I want it now daddy, I WANT IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, I know it will come later (assuming that the damn game now
survives the first printing of the first rulesbook, sheesh) but I'd
like some simple conversion rules so that these things will be
available quickly. Once the official version arrives, I can always
use that.
--- In dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com, Mike Mason <mike.mason@...> wrote:
>
> HI
>
> some of the things you mention will appear in the 3 books still to be
> released for DH.
some of the things you mention will appear in the 3 books still to be released for DH.
m
On 28 Jan 2008, at 18:07, gloriousbattle wrote:
Some General Dark Heresy Projects (CROSS POSTED FROM NIGHTFALL SECTOR)
Most of my game time over the next couple of weeks will be devoted to doing maps and a gazetteer on the other three subsectors of Nightfall Sector, however, there are some general Dark Heresy projects that I would like to get underway. I will do them if nobody else will, but it would be nice to have a cooperative effort:
A. 40K to Dark Heresy Conversions: The rulebook is good, but, obviously, a lot is missing. Where are the space marines, orks, genestealers, navigators, etc.? While we know these things will be coming in the later rules supplements, I see no reason to keep them out of the game now.
So, why not just do a set of quick and dirty 40K to DH conversion rules? Just enough so that we can add in these and other elements as we get things going?
B. Additional Party Types: The DH character classes are a good start, and cover most things pretty well. The only thing that kinda gets under my skin is, why does the party have to universally work for an Inquisitor? While this is certainly a good option, as it lets party members have an influential patron and an excuse to be in on the action from the word go, I can think of a lot of other options:
1. Servants of other influential Imperial personages, such as Navigators, Rogue Traders or Imperial Commanders. Such persons could certainly work alongside the agents of the Inquisition, but might also be able to undertake more nefarious adventures, and could be a lot more profit-motivated.
2. Hijackers and pirates. Suppose the PCs stole a small but warp capable craft and were on the run for the Eastern fringe? Now they have great mobility and decision making power, but have to dodge Navy and space marine vessels, as well as the monitor ships belonging to Imperial commanders, and other pirate and alien vessels? This could make for a great game of exploration, and one full of boarding action possibilities.
3. Renegades and deserters on the run from the law. Since PCs in DH can make pacts with Chaos, this could even extend to Chaos Renegade warbands.
Some General Dark Heresy Projects (CROSS POSTED FROM NIGHTFALL SECTOR)
Most of my game time over the next couple of weeks will be devoted to
doing maps and a gazetteer on the other three subsectors of Nightfall
Sector, however, there are some general Dark Heresy projects that I
would like to get underway. I will do them if nobody else will, but
it would be nice to have a cooperative effort:
A. 40K to Dark Heresy Conversions: The rulebook is good, but,
obviously, a lot is missing. Where are the space marines, orks,
genestealers, navigators, etc.? While we know these things will be
coming in the later rules supplements, I see no reason to keep them
out of the game now.
So, why not just do a set of quick and dirty 40K to DH conversion
rules? Just enough so that we can add in these and other elements as
we get things going?
B. Additional Party Types: The DH character classes are a good
start, and cover most things pretty well. The only thing that kinda
gets under my skin is, why does the party have to universally work
for an Inquisitor? While this is certainly a good option, as it lets
party members have an influential patron and an excuse to be in on
the action from the word go, I can think of a lot of other options:
1. Servants of other influential Imperial personages, such as
Navigators, Rogue Traders or Imperial Commanders. Such persons could
certainly work alongside the agents of the Inquisition, but might
also be able to undertake more nefarious adventures, and could be a
lot more profit-motivated.
2. Hijackers and pirates. Suppose the PCs stole a small but warp
capable craft and were on the run for the Eastern fringe? Now they
have great mobility and decision making power, but have to dodge Navy
and space marine vessels, as well as the monitor ships belonging to
Imperial commanders, and other pirate and alien vessels? This could
make for a great game of exploration, and one full of boarding action
possibilities.
3. Renegades and deserters on the run from the law. Since PCs in DH
can make pacts with Chaos, this could even extend to Chaos Renegade
warbands.
This is ridiculous, and I don't buy it. Sounds like the prelude to
some weird GW marketting bullshit to me. I'm playing the game. For
now, I ainta gonna quit. This just makes no sense.
--- In dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com, "Boguslaw Olszak"
<boguslaw.olszak@...> wrote:
>
> http://www.blackindustries.com/?
template=BI&content=newslist&newsitem=350
>
Now does this mean GW is abandoning the games? Or is it possible another publisher/distributor will pick it up? Could we get a petition going to have them not cancel the games?
Nathan Dowdell <npdowdell@...> wrote:
Well, that's the last set of fan material I'm going to be writing for a while - all my personal writing projects are on hiatus until I stop being angry at BLP for doing this, after which time,
I might continue. I received the Disciples of the Dark Gods manuscript this morning, and, like The Inquisitor's Handbook before it, there's a lot of good rules, background and ideas in there that can be made use of... but it'll be some time before I'm composed enough to write anything for a great game so prematurely abandoned.
----- Original Message ---- From: Colin Goodman <underdark.monkey@gmail.com> To: dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, 28 January, 2008 2:49:53 PM Subject: Re: [dark_heresy] Re: Sad news
I'm very saddened and dissapointed by this news. I haven't even picked up my copy of DH yet (was planning on getting it on Wednesday), and now I'm not so sure its worth bothering.
"You live long enough to hear the sound of guns, long enough to find yourself screaming every night, long enough to see your friends betray you.
For years I`ve been strapped unto this altar. Now I only have 3 minutes and counting. I just wish the tide would catch me first and give me a death I always longed for."
Well, that's the last set of fan material I'm going to be writing for a while - all my personal writing projects are on hiatus until I stop being angry at BLP for doing this, after which time, I might continue. I received the Disciples of the Dark Gods manuscript this morning, and, like The Inquisitor's Handbook before it, there's a lot of good rules, background and ideas in there that can be made use of... but it'll be some time before I'm composed enough to write anything for a great game so prematurely abandoned.
----- Original Message ---- From: Colin Goodman
<underdark.monkey@...> To: dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, 28 January, 2008 2:49:53 PM Subject: Re: [dark_heresy] Re: Sad news
I'm very saddened and dissapointed by this news. I haven't even picked
up my copy of DH yet (was planning on getting it on Wednesday), and
now I'm not so sure its worth bothering.
"You live long enough to hear the sound of guns,
long enough to find yourself screaming every night,
long enough to see your friends betray you.
For years I`ve been strapped unto this altar.
Now I only have 3 minutes and counting.
I just wish the tide would catch me first
and give me a death I always longed for."
I'm very saddened and dissapointed by this news. I haven't even picked
up my copy of DH yet (was planning on getting it on Wednesday), and
now I'm not so sure its worth bothering.
:-(
--
Colin Goodman
My Livejournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/eryx_uk/
Gamers - the best place to buy your gaming stuff! - http://www.gamers.uk.net
"You live long enough to hear the sound of guns,
long enough to find yourself screaming every night,
long enough to see your friends betray you.
For years I`ve been strapped unto this altar.
Now I only have 3 minutes and counting.
I just wish the tide would catch me first
and give me a death I always longed for."
What the hell?! So selling out of their 40KRP stock before its release
date isnt motivation enough to keep going? I like some of their
novels, but I like the RPG Books more!
Load of crock.
They could at least place the rules as OGL and let another publisher
(maybe Green Ronin proper) continue the series.
Oh well. My apologies, if I wasnt a fan of the system and books the
game would go on forever (look at WOTC!)
Thanks for starting up this group. I saw your invite on the BI Forum.
Really excited about doing some playing and GM with the new game.
I developed a Psyker character this weekend that looks like it will be
fun to play. Thanks for your article "Something Other Than Human". I
would like to run some campaigns with non human characters and this
will be a big help!
Purge the Heretics!
later,
Lars
None as of yet - Something Other Than Human will be the first of many, but it does take time to write this stuff... especially as my next project is somewhat more ambitious and requires me to figure out how to build career paths.
As it is, I have several ideas for the future, but some of them can't see the light of day until June/July at the earliest, as they draw on material and ideas present in The Inquisitor's Handbook, which went through playtesting recently...
Nathan "N0-1_H3r3" Dowdell
----- Original Message ---- From: sjhhej
<sjhhej@...> To: dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, 26 January, 2008 3:12:55 PM Subject: [dark_heresy] Thanks to N0-1_H3r3
Cheers mate. That 'other than human' file is very useful, and i've
duely printed it for use. Have you any other gems like this?
Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the
dark_heresy group:
Overall, how do you rate DH as an RPG overall (taking account of production
values, rules, beackground and playability)?
o 1 - The worst game ever produced
o 2
o 3
o 4
o 5 - Not bad
o 6 - Competent. A decent game
o 7
o 8
o 9
o 10 - Oh my this is the best game ever produced. Utterly amazing!!
To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dark_heresy/surveys?id=1987548
Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.
Thanks!
--- In dark_heresy@yahoogroups.com, "icefield123" <icefield@...> wrote:
> Need to check with my LGS and make sure his distributer ordered
> enough :o
I must wait to Wednesday, when my LGS will start selling rulebooks.
It hurts ;).
Just joined the group today. I am working on starting a Dark Heresy
campaign locally, and have created a yahoo group for it here:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/40KDarkHeresy_NightfallSector/
Please note that it is not intended to supplant THIS group, as it will
be mainly for my campaign. I would greatly appreciate some readership
and posts though. Please also be aware that the content over there is
presently pretty sparce.
PURGE THE MUTANT!
Just thought I'd share an (unfinished) map I was working on a year or
two ago to use as a setting linked to the Inquisitor game module 'The
Cirian Legacy'.
I'm going to use Calixis Sector in DH, but Scarla was pretty fun
too ... I liked the (possible) links to the tomb of Sanguinius which
was (maybe) somewhere in the Sector, and the few bits of fluff that
were given on the region.
Anyway, such as it is, it's there if you want to have a look.
Adam France
From the Black Industries site:
25/January/2008 - Dark Heresy Sold Out
We were planning to tell people that the Dark Heresy core rulebook was
on sale today, however on the strength of preorders alone we have sold
out of the books.
As a result you will not be able to buy Dark Heresy from our Online
Store, please contact your local bookshops or gaming stores to see if
they have a copy for you.
All I can say is WOW!
Need to check with my LGS and make sure his distributer ordered
enough :o
When I saw Shattered Hope I was very dissapointed, it was like old D&D
module I played 25 years ago. But with Egde of Darkness I was lost.
This is what I like in rpgs, mystery & investigations.
My old favorite rpgs are Call of Cthulhu, Kult, Mutant Chronicles and
Werewolf Apocalypse.
With Dark Heresy my friends who are playing WH40k wants play
roleplaying game again, first time after 6 years.