Post by Andrew on Mar 8, 2006 12:34:19 GMT -6
For everyone to enjoy! I'll start with this old one that has been seen, but needs a new home. It's placed in a tavern, so ya'lls know.
The door opens, and a bit of the winter chill and snow blows in, along with a cloaked figure. Just before the door is shut the keening of a bird of prey pierces the din of the snowstorm outside. A hawk swoops in and perches on the newcomer's shoulder, who tosses back his hood and cloak, fluffing snow on the floor behind him. Anyone who isn't too busy takes stock of this one, obviously a bit different from his power-armored brethren around him.
Wearing only the armor of an Ultramarine scout, eyes are drawn to the unusual crux terminatus emblazened on his shoulder and the matching jeweled amulet dangling from his neck. His face is proud, as an Ultramarine's only would be. Two service studs shine above his right eye, and a long scar on the left side draws from his hair line to his cheek. Piercing blue eyes gaze out, seemingly reading the souls of his brothers, and Wolf's two 9's.
Slung across his back is a marked, long leather pack, it's contents obvious as a powerful sniper rifle. The inumerable markings strewn across it's "holster" are in the rough design of numerous enemies of the Imperium, including orks, Tau, and even some of traitor marines. The size of each stencil varies, with countless small and more than a few large, denoting leaders. The sword dangling from his belt looks well used, but a trained eye would catch that it's edge is mono-molecular, and never dulls. Various other equipment adorn this stranger, an important hero and loner all at once. His presence creates a sense of curiosity and awe in equal measure. Who is this quiet brother? Nodding in affirmation to all, he takes a seat in the corner and feeds his hawk some peanuts.
With but a motion of his hand, the scout raises twenty cards perfectly to Stef's tower. He then buys the table a round and smiles, softly speaking "The end isn't coming Stef. Just me and ol' Venator here *pats hawk's head* wanted in from the cold. Now buck up and let's make a big tower. I'll get the glue..."
*politely refuses all drinks proferred*
*to those gathered*
"My tale begins a long two centuries ago. I was first among my fellow aspirants in the games, but for a reason uncommon. In case you didn't notice, I work best alone. Starting as a scout, I was quickly noted for my skill in singular tactics, and more and more frequently I was let out to accomplish tasks on my own. After five years of such missions I earned the right to my suit of power-armor when, with the blessed rifle I have on my back, I infiltrated within a klick of a Tau commander and removed his brain-pan. I escaped, although they gave good chase. I out-foxed them for close to forty days, where I earned this scar dueling with one of those cursed xenos kroot. Soon after I was able to alert my brethren, who fell upon the Tau with incredible fury. I was then removed to Macragge whereupon my power-armor was gifted to me and I became a full marine."
"For the next 160 years I rose through the ranks, finally earning my crux and earned the right to use one of the holy suits of tactical dreadnought armor. I however found the armor to be too restrictive for my liking, and requested to have scout armor. They were wary and off-kilter for a second, but they consulted with the priests. They determined that to enclose me in scout armor was to receive the best blessing, and so it was to be. They also gifted me with this conversion field *holds up amulet* to better protect me with my reduced armor. And so it was that I went on for the last forty-odd years, removing leaders of many armies and setting back plans of many heretics and xenos."
"As for ole Venator here, I met him the mission I left behind my terminator armor. I was moving silently thorugh the forests of Espandor, heading for the supposed camp of an insurrectionist leader. High above I heard Venator's cry and was startled. He streaked out of the sky and landed nearby, eyeing me curiously. Why all this occurred I had no clue. But suddenly there was a piercing thought at my mind. First I resisted it, but when I heard the chorus of heavenly voices. I fell, and blinding visions in my mind burned of the Emperor and he whispered to me. When I regained consciousness the hawk was still there, but held now a curious faint glow around it. I blinked, and suddenly I was looking through his eyes at myself. I blinked again and I was back looking at him through my eyes."
*returns from lengthy loo break*
"Ah yes, so the rest of the tale of my meeting with my avian companion. As I said, I could now look through his eyes while being conscious of what was happening around myself. We had an interesting and instant understanding, as if he was an extension of all my senses and skill. I hid myself and sent Venator into the air towards the insurrectionist camp. Settling down, I blinked and saw what he saw. Far below, only about 400 yards from my position was my target. I was duly surprised - all reports said it was deeper in than here. As Venator circled around, I took note of all their defenses, finding the weak spot that I could exploit. I did, and returned to my own sight. I rose silently and advanced, coming within visual range of the camp. By the Emperor it was well hidden! Fading into the shadows of the trees I steadied my rifle as the leader came into view. One shot was all it took and before they realized what was happening, I was upon them, blade in hand. About twenty surrounded me, but they were no match. My blade swung in glittering arcs reflecting the mid-day sun, killing with every stroke. They tried feebly to defend themselves, but it was futile. Soon they lay dead and my mission nearly accomplished, I set to destroying the camp with charges. As I primed the last, I heard Venator's call from high above and I switched my vision. Apparently they had gotten off a quick vox to another camp and reinforcements were en-route. I quickly dropped the last charge and retreated into the woods. Waiting as close as I dared, I watched as they stormed into the camp, expecting a force waiting for them. They were wrong - only my demolitions were. With a smile I thumbed the rune on my detonater, and they were all blasted away, along with the camp. As I fell back to my extraction point Venator came out of the sky and perched on my shoulder, all the way back. I was not one to shun an Emperor blessed bird, so I kept him. Since I work on my own I was allowed it, and he has helped me with all my missions, giving me literally a short-range bird's eye view of the situation. Very beneficial."
*feeds Venator more peanuts*
"As for the lack of proper introductions, I am Brother-Captain Seahawk, but the rank is superficial - although I am able to lead troops into battle when necessary, I prefer to use tactics I have been since I became who I am, and let other's who are better useful for such a position lead the force."
*adds another card to the tower*
The door opens, and a bit of the winter chill and snow blows in, along with a cloaked figure. Just before the door is shut the keening of a bird of prey pierces the din of the snowstorm outside. A hawk swoops in and perches on the newcomer's shoulder, who tosses back his hood and cloak, fluffing snow on the floor behind him. Anyone who isn't too busy takes stock of this one, obviously a bit different from his power-armored brethren around him.
Wearing only the armor of an Ultramarine scout, eyes are drawn to the unusual crux terminatus emblazened on his shoulder and the matching jeweled amulet dangling from his neck. His face is proud, as an Ultramarine's only would be. Two service studs shine above his right eye, and a long scar on the left side draws from his hair line to his cheek. Piercing blue eyes gaze out, seemingly reading the souls of his brothers, and Wolf's two 9's.
Slung across his back is a marked, long leather pack, it's contents obvious as a powerful sniper rifle. The inumerable markings strewn across it's "holster" are in the rough design of numerous enemies of the Imperium, including orks, Tau, and even some of traitor marines. The size of each stencil varies, with countless small and more than a few large, denoting leaders. The sword dangling from his belt looks well used, but a trained eye would catch that it's edge is mono-molecular, and never dulls. Various other equipment adorn this stranger, an important hero and loner all at once. His presence creates a sense of curiosity and awe in equal measure. Who is this quiet brother? Nodding in affirmation to all, he takes a seat in the corner and feeds his hawk some peanuts.
With but a motion of his hand, the scout raises twenty cards perfectly to Stef's tower. He then buys the table a round and smiles, softly speaking "The end isn't coming Stef. Just me and ol' Venator here *pats hawk's head* wanted in from the cold. Now buck up and let's make a big tower. I'll get the glue..."
*politely refuses all drinks proferred*
*to those gathered*
"My tale begins a long two centuries ago. I was first among my fellow aspirants in the games, but for a reason uncommon. In case you didn't notice, I work best alone. Starting as a scout, I was quickly noted for my skill in singular tactics, and more and more frequently I was let out to accomplish tasks on my own. After five years of such missions I earned the right to my suit of power-armor when, with the blessed rifle I have on my back, I infiltrated within a klick of a Tau commander and removed his brain-pan. I escaped, although they gave good chase. I out-foxed them for close to forty days, where I earned this scar dueling with one of those cursed xenos kroot. Soon after I was able to alert my brethren, who fell upon the Tau with incredible fury. I was then removed to Macragge whereupon my power-armor was gifted to me and I became a full marine."
"For the next 160 years I rose through the ranks, finally earning my crux and earned the right to use one of the holy suits of tactical dreadnought armor. I however found the armor to be too restrictive for my liking, and requested to have scout armor. They were wary and off-kilter for a second, but they consulted with the priests. They determined that to enclose me in scout armor was to receive the best blessing, and so it was to be. They also gifted me with this conversion field *holds up amulet* to better protect me with my reduced armor. And so it was that I went on for the last forty-odd years, removing leaders of many armies and setting back plans of many heretics and xenos."
"As for ole Venator here, I met him the mission I left behind my terminator armor. I was moving silently thorugh the forests of Espandor, heading for the supposed camp of an insurrectionist leader. High above I heard Venator's cry and was startled. He streaked out of the sky and landed nearby, eyeing me curiously. Why all this occurred I had no clue. But suddenly there was a piercing thought at my mind. First I resisted it, but when I heard the chorus of heavenly voices. I fell, and blinding visions in my mind burned of the Emperor and he whispered to me. When I regained consciousness the hawk was still there, but held now a curious faint glow around it. I blinked, and suddenly I was looking through his eyes at myself. I blinked again and I was back looking at him through my eyes."
*returns from lengthy loo break*
"Ah yes, so the rest of the tale of my meeting with my avian companion. As I said, I could now look through his eyes while being conscious of what was happening around myself. We had an interesting and instant understanding, as if he was an extension of all my senses and skill. I hid myself and sent Venator into the air towards the insurrectionist camp. Settling down, I blinked and saw what he saw. Far below, only about 400 yards from my position was my target. I was duly surprised - all reports said it was deeper in than here. As Venator circled around, I took note of all their defenses, finding the weak spot that I could exploit. I did, and returned to my own sight. I rose silently and advanced, coming within visual range of the camp. By the Emperor it was well hidden! Fading into the shadows of the trees I steadied my rifle as the leader came into view. One shot was all it took and before they realized what was happening, I was upon them, blade in hand. About twenty surrounded me, but they were no match. My blade swung in glittering arcs reflecting the mid-day sun, killing with every stroke. They tried feebly to defend themselves, but it was futile. Soon they lay dead and my mission nearly accomplished, I set to destroying the camp with charges. As I primed the last, I heard Venator's call from high above and I switched my vision. Apparently they had gotten off a quick vox to another camp and reinforcements were en-route. I quickly dropped the last charge and retreated into the woods. Waiting as close as I dared, I watched as they stormed into the camp, expecting a force waiting for them. They were wrong - only my demolitions were. With a smile I thumbed the rune on my detonater, and they were all blasted away, along with the camp. As I fell back to my extraction point Venator came out of the sky and perched on my shoulder, all the way back. I was not one to shun an Emperor blessed bird, so I kept him. Since I work on my own I was allowed it, and he has helped me with all my missions, giving me literally a short-range bird's eye view of the situation. Very beneficial."
*feeds Venator more peanuts*
"As for the lack of proper introductions, I am Brother-Captain Seahawk, but the rank is superficial - although I am able to lead troops into battle when necessary, I prefer to use tactics I have been since I became who I am, and let other's who are better useful for such a position lead the force."
*adds another card to the tower*
