Corruptio Optimi Pessima - a Dark Heresy Adventure

Corruptio Optimi Pessima - A Dark Heresy adventure -

- Part I of IV - Corruptio Corruptio Optimi Pessima Optimi

Penitential Command. Penitential Mauvia Re-design See disclaimer Credits Special Thanks Special Pants Optional Pants Warren Goguen Warren Project Manager Project Credits Disclaimer Disclaimer Disclaimer Created and written by: written and Created —Quastor General, Brantus Hurst, Departmento Munitorium Departmento Hurst, Brantus General, —Quastor Artwork and Warhammer 40k Universe Warhammer and Artwork Warren Goguen, Lou Miola, Jay Ouellette, Ouellette, Jay Lou Miola, Goguen, Warren and to the many creators of supplements. fan creators many the to and Andrew Merriam, Steve Brow and Ryan Manni Ryan and Brow Steve Merriam, Andrew Jason ‘“Inquisitor” Ambrus for his page art, Dark Reign, Reign, Dark art, his page for Ambrus ‘“Inquisitor” Jason

his document is completely unofficial and in no way endorsed by Games Workshop Limited or Fantasy Flight Flight Fantasy or Limited Workshop Games by endorsed way no in and unofficial completely is document his Games. 40,000, Warhammer Games Dark Warhammer, Workshop, the Heresy, Dark Heresy logo, Black the logo BL Publishing and BL all Publishing, the logo, Black Industries associated and races Industries, race “TheresourceourImperium Holy greatest possesses isthe multitudes fathomlessof humanity itself. No power is true that know wise mightier the token this By and image. our in stars remade no have we alone hands human force By more dreadful when turned to a of meat very mankind.” in the single of mastery bone, in and the lies blood power purpose.

insignia, insignia, marks, names, characters, illustrations and images from the 40,000 Warhammer universe are either world. the around ©, countries other and UK in the ™ registered variably 2000-2008, Ltd Workshop © Games and/or T T 2 Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a CorruptioCorruptio OptimiOptimi PessimaPessima

- A Dark Heresy adventure -

3 T

e l b a +++ Co r r u p t i o

Corruptio f o OptimiOp t i m i P Pessimae s s i m a +++ c t n e t n o

IntroductionIntroduction ...... 5 ChapterChapter IIIIII: ...... : 11 Recommendations ...... 5 Slag Fields ...... 11 Ordo involvement...... 5 Twists ...... 11 Ordo Hereticus...... 5 Debrief? ...... 12 Ordo Xenos...... 5 Inquisitors report ...... 12 Ordo Malleus ...... 5 Aftermath...... 13

Chapter I:I ...... 6 Appendix:Appendix ...... 14 ChapterOverview...... : 6 Clove ...... 14 Mission Briefing...... 6 Weapons and armour ...... 15 Landing ...... 6 NPCs ...... 16 Invitation to Investigate ...... 6 Personal Notes ...... 17 Bella Holtz ...... 6 Player handouts ...... 18 Arbites’ Data Slate Information ...... 7 Choices ...... 8 Case a01532 ...... 8

ChapterChapter II:II ...... : 9 Summons ...... 9 Planetary governor aleronos Callidos...... 9 Torch in the darkness ...... 10 Tech Priestess Magdela Heltus ...... 10 Crossroads ...... 10

4 +++ ORDO INVOLVEMENT Here is a brief synopsis of the Ordos’ knowledge of the situation and which ones may or may not IntroductionIntroduction get involved. +++ e s s i m a ORDO HERETICUS

Hive world Clove has experienced increased cult P orruptio Optimi Pessima is a stand-alone activity, as well as an increased occurrence of campaign for the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay: mutations. Dark Heresy designed for middle ranking CAcolytesC (rank 4-6). In the following description of the Campaign setting we will suggest certain rolls to

be made at certain times. These are not set in stone, as ORDO XENOS p t i m i always GMs have the final say. Also on Hive world Clove has been the outbreak of a Xenos drug known as twilight, seeing increasing

While this campaign was designed for the Calixis use over the past few years, suspected being on O sector, it can easily be adapted for games that are being planet even longer. run in different sectors of the galaxy. This campaign was also designed so that there isn’t just one way to solve the problem at hand, if the players want combat, they can go that route. Or if they enjoy the ORDO MALLEUS covert, investigative approach, they will also be able to complete the mission. This mission can be used There is no evident threat from the warp or to teach players that overt operations are not always daemons; however the Ordo Malleus will not going to get the best results. hesitate to get involved if there is even a chance that they are needed. o r r u p t i o RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations C lthough any combination of characters will be able to undertake the following missions, it is recommended that the Players have at least AAone of the following in the group; Adept, Arbitrator, or Imperial Guardsman.

We have also included new equipment; if you feel these add depth to your game we encourage you to allow players to use them. In our experience players enjoy having equipment that is not straight out of the base book.

hortly hortly after landing the Inquisitorial Acolytes will be greeted briefing. mission their in as specified by Enforcer Bella Holtz, “I hope these trying times find youwell Inquisitors. I am Bella Holtz from the Adeptus Arbites Special Division. Governor Callidon wishedhimself, but alas to he is tied be up in here red tape trying up clean this asmess, you can imagine. youto If follow me I can show you what uncovered so we’ve far and there.” then from take it you can HOLTZ BELLA …A veteran street investigation landed enforcer her and black whose her wears she field the in in not When branch. talents the Special for matching its with Division cap officer and uniform Arbites grey profile) Bella’s xx for page (See coat. long make multiple rolls to indicate prolonged research. prolonged indicate to rolls multiple make A A routine (+20) Common Lore: Adeptus check will reveal that the Special Division handles all Arbites laws. planetary standard under fall don’t that cases the If the players choose to follow Bella, they will enter an Arbites transport and will be taken to the Special will they be arrive they Once house. precinct Division Arbitrators SD of team a with room secure a to shown door. the outside The acolytes will uncovered. then be handed data slate 1-2) have (Fig. Arbitrators the information the all with player a allow will check Tech-Use (+0) challenging A the onto 1-1, Fig. data slate, the data from the copy to them. handed Interrogator the one Shortly after being handed the data willthe Acolytes be given the opportunity to look over what has been of data. accuracy the the verify to and found Should they choose to double check the Arbitrators they work, will have to access an Cogitator Emplaced system with Inquisition clearance (grants + 20 to all relevant tests). TheAcolytes can make aHard (-20) more find and files case current the utilize to test Logic information. Each test takes 1d5 hours. Players may S Acolytes: the to loud out following the Read E ESTIGAT INV N TO INVITATIO Invitation to Investigate to Invitation S I

+++ +++ +++

Chapter Chapter uring a period of downtime, the Acolytes will uring a Acolytes period the of downtime, be approached by one of most their trusted Inquisitor’s Interrogators. He will hand Chapter I Chapter he he length of their warp travel will differ, but once the Acolytes arrive they will be taken after to Soon Lander. Aquila an aboard planet the he he Acolytes receive their Inquisitor an to investigate assignment the mutations increased on from Hive world Clove, as well as worry worry you, more than likely they are just taking the opportunity for target As practice.” she says the last face. her across grin a spreads sentence silence the alarm. Any player in the cockpit can make can make in cockpit the player Any alarm. the silence a routine (+20) Awareness Check (Sight based) to notice the light still flashing on the control console. If questioned about the alarm “Thealarm isstill sounding becausewe are still being the pilot responds tracked by the Planetary Defense Force. let Don’t it T entering the atmosphere the Lander’s warning alarm sounds and the interior of the ship is bathed in a red light. Thepilot is unphased asshe flips a switch to a challenging (+0) Lore Check. Success will tell them them willtell Success Check. Lore (+0) challenging a that this is the home of the famed Dragoons. Drusus 23rd the Imperial Unit, Guard LANDING D them a data slate (Fig. 1-1) and tell them that they have forty-eight hours to prepare for their mission. After reading the data slate, anyone with Common Legend can make Lore: or Scholastic Imperium Lore: of a suspected Xenos drug. of Xenos a suspected MISSION BRIEFING OVERVIEW T popularity increasing the and activity, cultist suspected Landing Landing Mission Briefing Mission Overview T T D 6 Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a (Fig. 1-2for aprintable Playerhandout; adventure) seeback of (Fig. 1-1for aprintable Playerhandout; adventure) seeback of

ARBITES’ DATA SLATE INFORMATION ++Transmission++DELTA LEVEL++ +Inquisitor 34-S.D. Arbites and approved Administratum personnel only +++ Acolytes+++ Clearance Delta Required *Clearance approved*

Dating back 3 standard terrain years a small marginal increase of Greetings Acolytes, mutations where filed and teams were sent to assess probable causes of them. The mutations were citizens of gray worker class from I have been impressed with your successes in recent missions. I am factatorium workers to special tradesmen. No probable causes were sending you the information needed to conduct an investigation ever found. A filing system was started a year later to record registered into the rumors about Hive world Clove. For the past three years citizens with mutations. A year later the program was abandoned due mutations have increased exponentially. At the same time there are to conflicting data and lack of funds and trained personnel. Protocols rumours of Cult activity. You are to report to the Adeptus Arbites were made and enforced; these being limited rights and special Special Division in the Hive Capital, Hueis Idoes. Your contact will housing, reconstruction of citizens’ funds and reclamation of titles be Arbitrator Enforcer Bella Holtz. Treat her as you would treat and/or deeds. another Acolyte.

Since then the mutations have steadily increased but no longer just While on planet-side I would also like you to investigate the suspected in gray worker class but also in clerks of the Administratum and the Xenos drug nicknamed Twilight. This drug has been increasing in priests of the Ecclesiarchy. Now even lesser nobles in the upper and popularity for the last three years, and you all know how I don’t lower levels of every hive on Clove have reported the same kind of believe in coincidences. I have charted a ship from your location to epidemic. It is only recently that we have found out that a cult might take you to Clove. From there you will be responsible for any travel be the one responsible for all this. We have not yet been able to get required during the mission. When you have completed the mission any info on this cult. Nor have we concluded that this cult is the one I will once again arrange travel for you to return. responsible for the theft and damage of food and medical stores. The cult is rumored to be operating somewhere in the lower regions of There may be Interrogators from other Ordos also investigating this Gelt Square, an older trading bazaar. All attempts have failed to try issue, I expect full details in the reports you send to me. and locate the cult’s exact whereabouts. Inquisitor The Special Division Precinct house 34-Adeptus Arbite and approved Administratum personnel only ++End Transmission++ 7

Ch a p t e r I Quintilla J. Ishta J. Quintilla Senior Chirurgeon Respectfully Submitted Respectfully hile conducting research, if it takes multiple multiple takes it if research, conducting hile days, they will be done, allowed is research to all When stay precinct. Arbites in the the void. Blood samples were taken and handed to agents. Inquisitorial CASE A01532 CASE Shortly after boarding, Gamma Team engaged and destroyed Heretic smugglers in the lower cargo hold of leader the rogue trader vessel Team Novia. Fairus from coming odor odd an reported Cromwell Sergeant a cryos stasis capsule that had been ruptured during the engagement. Near the capsule there was also contraband. a of Xenos amount small Seconds after reporting in, Sergeant Cromwell and his team suffered rapid, from bleeding and erratic seizures by followed mutations. were mutations These minutes ten than less took event whole The orifices. all from exposure to death. On my recommendation all remains were burned in the airlock and expelled into W Choices [GM Note: If Characters chose the undercover method, method, the undercover chose Characters If [GM Note: 11] to page skip CHOICES W the Acolytes will be given the option of staging in a secured room in the precinct house, or if they want to go a undercover, room will be arranged for them. Thisroom will be inPietytheFlue in Gelt Cathedral Square. [GM Note: Players may requisition the equipment Arbites if the fill from out all the proper paperwork. See Appendix A for a equipment.] list of Special Division Arbites named Fairus Novia. It was seized and later destroyed destroyed later and seized was It Novia. Fairus named by a naval battleship, Calixius Esme. Before it was destroyed, it was by executed boarded were members crew eighty-three hundred and searched. All two market black distributing and holding for squad firing grade (of Xenos origin) chemical Tau weapons. See case file A01532 filed by Senior Chirurgeon Officer Ishta. J. Quintilla Success Success reveals a record of a Rogue Trade vessel

is the last 10% made up of up last 10% made thinner. is unknown an the Degrees Degrees of Success; have been hit, but are left with high quantities of Most medical well-known abused drugs. facilities But detox and other en masse. been looted balms have body cleansing is a new popular drug named Rumors Twilight. also say that it has been around for possibly six only been popular three. for even it’s though years its into drug the down broken have agents Arbites base chemicals and found cocktail, that with 90% of it its makeup is from part common troubling The mostly sector. the over all found drugs a Degrees Degrees of Success; the players will findout that theft. in resulted have stores food on attacks all not destroyed been have stores food end high Recently arson. by Degrees of Success; Acolytes find merchants that a list have had of goods all Baron stolen Strangely, of amount and the goods stolen. recently, Zarkovus Yorktos has lost the House a least from Noble off-world amount an is he stuffs; of food that has been Wake. Hesiod’s Agri-world, neighboring chartering the food from the Degrees Degrees of Success; you’ve researched results. no with hours for 1d5 Degree of consumption. food Success; for Acolytes restricted discover being is that class social each The Imperial Guard is distributing food to populace. the compound compound that modifies the nucleotide it is base, in but a dormant stage component. and It is is of Xenos alsoorigin. If they missing reach this a key have point the Acolytes the option of making a Hard (-20) Lore: Forbidden Xenos check. If none of them have the skill, they may request assistance on. move can they or from of Xenos, Ordos Inquisitor an lab. lab. Theycan make aDifficult (-10) chem-use check requiring two degrees of Any success. extra successes will an subtract hour offof thetest time (1d5hours), of a minimum with hour. one Success shows that it is a highly engineered chemical If the Acolytes findthey Twilight wishto investigate will (iffurther Arbitrators the they findoutabout it), offer a samplefor them to break down in theArbites

4 5+ Degrees of Success; Thereare rumors that there

2 3 1 Failure Failure indicates that you have research the case and to order. be in find everything 0 8 Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a marble and wrapped in the finest clothes from Clove. Behind each statue is a window, giving the statue a divine glow during daylight hours. The Voice will

+++ II comment about a few of the heroes and the victories Chapter IIII they are remembered for. Chapter The Acolytes stop at the great doors of the campaignum as the Voice enters before them and announces the +++ Governor with all his titles, and then the Acolytes in their respective glory. Inside, the players can see a vast room, large windows covering the walls, looking

SUMMONS h a p t e r Summons out onto the blue sky, with occasional clouds. The dome ceiling is covered in a mosaic depicting the great

he Acolytes are awoken early the next morning C to a rapping at their door. Whether the door battles of Saint Drusus. In the center of the room is is opened or Acolytes question him through a large u-shaped marble table with matching seating, TTthe door, they will be greeted with the following: “My each inscribed with the nobles’ house name and coat Lord Inquisitors, I am Tanithos Kippsmen, the Voice of arms. To the left and right is pitted seating for all of the Callidos house. Governor Aleronos Callidos, of the nobles’ scribes and servants. The Counsel takes son of Vischerus Callidos requests your audience at their stations and Governor Callidos motions the this morning’s consul assembly. He and the others Acolytes forward. assembled wish to know your intended course of action and any new insight into this terrible blight” Read the following out loud to the Acolytes:

[GM note: The players can object to the summons, but “Gentleman, (Ladies) I know we have found ourselves then all Fellowship rolls with Nobles will suffer a -20 vexed by this recent epidemic. I’ve called upon His penalty and they will be given limited aid if they request holy Inquisition and those who stand before us speak it.] for Him and answer to Him alone. Inquisitors, the floor is yours.” If the players accept, they are treated to the finer foods and drinks that Governor Callidos has to offer. With that statement, Governor Callidos sits and the Shortly after they are lead through the halls of honor counsel’s watchful eyes fall upon the Acolytes. by the Governor and his Voice. The halls lead to the campaignum room and along the way the Acolytes [GM Note: The Acolytes may or may not have a plan at will see giant statues of ancient heroes cast in white this point. This is the Nobles backing the Inquisition into a corner and looking for answers. ] PLANETARY GOVERNOR ALERONOS Following any ‘insight’ given by the Acolytes the CALLIDOS players may make a Challenging (+0) Charm/ Intimidate Check. Success entails they have won He is the first non-military governor of Clove. He is over the counsels support (Charm) or demanded it a man with an average build, square jaw, and short (Intimidate). They may borrow 500 thrones worth cut hair. He wears a dark blue officer’s cap, with red of gear for each player or receive a gilded pass, giving trim and a white bill. On the front there is a golden the players a 20% discount off all gear they purchase Aquila grasping two silver nails with the words “Nex (with availability scarce or lower). The players are Pro Inhonesto*” inscribed in them. He also wears an then given a few days to prepare for the assault unless elaborate dark blue navy style dress coat, with gold they choose to investigate further. buttons and across his chest is a white sash with red trim covered with the Callidos family honors. He wears white pants with a red ‘blood’ stripe running down the sides. He always has the Callidos Scepter (heirloom/refractor field) at hand.

He walks with a uniform step and looks squarely into the eyes of whomever he addresses. He passes himself off as a man of honor, but in reality he doesn’t have a shred of honor, nor can he fathom what honor is. He always passes on difficult work to those he deems as ‘lessers’. He surrounds himself with people who believe he is a warrior, but in reality he is only a coward. He only duels, and when he does, he only agrees if he knows he can win. 9

ere ere is where the two paths cross on the road to Gelt Square. When the players arrive in the square, they walk down the catwalks to who has been known by a dozen different names. who has been known by a names. dozen different fields. in Slag meets conclave His Degrees of Success [Players went to the council hasn’t conclave the days few last the For meeting]: if as supplies and ammo bought they around, been them. raid to authorities expecting are they Degrees of Success [Players skipped the meeting was Theconclave last or seencovert]: went in the ago. hour an area Degree Degree of A Success: crazed man tells them that and shunned the to word His brought has priest a to more nothing has He fields. Slag the of twisted tell. Degrees of Success: selling Theybeen has that overhear conclave a about talking dregs groupa of years. last few the over cheap for food Degrees of Success: The Acolytes find out that members with seen was Ogbor twistname large a Adeptus Lore: Common Nine.” of “Blessings the of Arbites (+0) tells them Hertz Ogbor has a long list of offenses and thrones a bounty dead of and five one hundred thousand Forbidden thrones Lore: alive. Cults (+20) realize – that this the cult is Acolytes not large or enough threatening to have drawn the ofattention any witch now. until authorities other or hunter Degrees of Success: Theparty findsout thatthe priests name is Gimwyrm Favous aka Gimmick and has only been preaching the last five years. Also, prior to that he was a notorious con artist 5 5+ 1 2 3 4 Crossroads Acolytes. (See Pit Thugs, pg 18) Thugs, (See Pit Acolytes. H they where the checkpoint see last Arbite two heavily armored arbites beating an unconscious mutant. An awareness check, sight based, shows a poor mutant. the to next quality revolver stub Shortly after you pass through hab-unit see you a iron massive honey wrought comb a half-burned out dome covered in a chaotic ladders and network staircases all of covered in glow entering make-shift After lamps and last. at arrived have They torches. spark drunk the from lawlessness; of stench the smell all you ofsmells that of eyesores to the injectors spent rotgut strewn about everywhere. Towards the center they will see a pit with a dozen men fightingto the death, are floors the all that see can they upward looking and open with thousands of spectators howling for killing blow. the Conducting the investigation requires (-20) Inquiry check. by Failure two or a more degrees Difficult indicates a group of sore losers picks a fight with the OADS CROSSR H

rrant of Mechan us E agos s M us Adept u elt us Furnac ue l riestess F P Clove’s industries hard at work. The Piety Flue Flue Piety The work. at hard industries Clove’s he he players descend in district to where they hear the the beating maunfactoria heart of H agdela iety M P Tech cancerous cancerous lumps. She coolant speaks from things, in various to a exposed been clear She’s mechanical tone. core. fusion plasma to even the Furnacus vapors She is dressed in orange and red flame resistant robes robes resistant flame and Shered in isorange dressed that have been singed and she has a chemical odor. Thelittle flesh you can see isburnt and covered in you are here but that is no reason to interrupt the rites rites the interrupt to reason no is that but here are you of function. I am known as Magdela Heltus Magos Furnacus.” Flue of Piety Errant He He speaks in a clear mechanical tone, “I know why coolant known to be used coolant in and needle weapons also and up set cots are There hallucinogenic. potent very a a crate with rations containing two week’s worth of party. the for water and food away.] away.] She leads them through the a into then of passing networks pipes and vents, halls, cathedral’s maze-like cool room half-full with barrels A and crates. routine (+20) chem-use success tells them its industrial [Players [Players may notice now that this is a female tech-priest from the name, but body shape and voice did not give it Shortly Shortly after the mass ends a tech-priest dressed in Acolytes. the approaches robes red and orange singed Acolytes: the to loud out following the Read rewards rewards for service to the Imperium. The Cathedral resembles a massive gilded chimney, past the and floors flak the grated brass board doors are facing pews apex of the cathedral where the large emblem of the A mass ofmade hangs. Mechanicus plasteel Adeptus in prayer. are of tech-adepts and menials Cathedral is built from gunmetal. It has great green and and green great has It gunmetal. from built is Cathedral the and Saints depicting windows stained-glass amber RKNESS N THE DA TORCH I [GM NOTE: If the players chose to go covert – there here] starts mission T Torch in the darkness the in Torch T 10 Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a TwistsTWISTS +++ imwyrm Favous, Ogbor, and some of the

mutants hang back and use pews as cover III Gwhen the players begin dispatching the dregs. Chapter IIIIII GThe mutant abomination charges the players, while Chapter Ogbor fires at the players. After missing twice Ogbor throws down his firearm and charges drawing his great +++ weapon. A hard (-20) Awareness (sight) check allows the players to notice Gimwyrm Favous retreating into the back room. TheThe SL slagAG FIfieldsELDS After retreating Gimwyrm Favous draws his pistol h a p t e r and waits for the inevitable, hoping he can cut a deal. C fter an hour of travel from Gelt Square the If the players kill Ogbor and the abomination the Acolytes find themselves in Slag Fields. A other mutants will flee. If they didn’t notice him simple (+10) Awareness/Tracking check fleeing, they will now notice that Gimwyrm is not AAreveals a path that has been used in the last hour. They among the corpses. They will find the door to the back come to a small ramshack village that’s deserted. A room locked. challenging (+0) Search check reveals food crates that once held luxury nautiline shell fish. While following Read the following out loud to the Acolytes: the path they will pass by chemical pools giving off toxic vapors. A hard (-20) toughness test grants the players As they approach they hear “Stay back, the door and safe passage. Filter Plugs (+20) and Respirators/Gas this whole building is rigged to blow!” Masks (+30) are ideal for this situation. Players that fail suffer 1 wound, ignoring toughness and armor, as their lungs, nose, and throat suffer chemical burns. Very Easy (+30) Scrutiny check tells them that there are no explosives. Hard (-20) strength check to break Further down the path from the pools, they see down the door or a challenging (+0) security check the outline of a large structure. A challenging (+0) opens the door. Awareness (sight) check reveals a mockery of a church which is lit by spark torches on the outside. As they As they enter Gimwyrm takes the pistol to his own approach the door they find it unguarded. Awareness head and says “Stay back or I’ll kill myself and you’ll (hearing), the players hear an unfamiliar chorus. To never find my fortune!” A successful blather test will get in unheard a Very Easy (+30) Move Silent check distract him. is required. Shortly after entering the players notice a short hallway that ends at a terrace overlooking the If he gets distracted, a contested strength check great hall. To the left and right are stairs leading to will wrestle the gun from him. Fail on either test the hallways floor. A routine (+20) concealment and Gimwyrm succeeds at killing himself, brains check allows the players to hide successfully behind splattering over his assailant or the area around him. the terrace. From there they can see rows and rows of If successful though, he will refuse to speak and players pews half-full of dregs and mutants. should hand him over to their Inquisitor for proper interrogation. (Should – they do not have to.) The dregs’ and mutants’ attention is focused on a man dressed in dark blue robes with yellow trim, preaching In this room they will find a well stocked chemical lab a poorly worded sermon. In the front pews they can with enough food to feed an army. All of the food make the shape of Ogbor and some mutants near him. crates bear the same noble family crest. A scholastic A man is called forth to receive the “Ninth Blessing”. lore: heraldry check tells them that this symbol belongs He receives a small piece of food and consumes it then to Baron Zarkovus Yorktos, who they would recognize immediately begins to shudder and scream in pain as (if the researched successfully), as an off-world noble his clothes rip and he falls to the ground. The whole whose House has been chartering food from Hesiod’s attendance is standing to see what happened before the Wake. man stands again, all can see he has been transformed into a mutant abomination.

[GM Note: At this point combat breaks out, either from the players starting it or someone noticing them during the commotion. If the players chose the covert route, the unnamed dregs and mutants will only have melee weapons on them; otherwise they will have what is listed 11 in the NPC section.] “Who are you, how dare you come to my estate unannounced!” be forgotten. Corruptio Optimi Translated Pessima. worst. of the is best the corruption – The [GM Note: TheInquisitor also notes thatby thesigns a be thiscould hasthat overturned thisinvestigation that cypherist yet.] to fruition has that plot come not INQUISITORS REPORT INQUISITORS (Inquisition) Lore (-20) Forbidden Hard Therewas apurge inthe lower depths of hiveHueis Idoes. Like all the other Redemption hives was of depths. lower met the Clove, purge the to with teams kill Red organized open Deacon arms. The Lord This instigated small wars in all the that important was so of code honor underhives The Clove clove. on countless lives fought and died to preserve in it. left scribes After poets, warrior few were there days those and legend into fade to triumphs Cloves of history the [Players Response Here] Response [Players and mercy for begging kneed his to fall will Baron The that he didn’t know it was the Inquisition. He gives himself over willingly and is taken aboard the ship to trial. stand they they board they witness the strike force going final over equipment checks,most of the force ismade up of troops from PDF Clove’s regiments. Tech-priests and adepts perform rituals machine spirit. TheAcolytes mission is to to secure the appease the Baron in ships order to get information out of him. They will and bea message landing willin courtyard the be immediate nobles’ the for frequencies all over broadcast surrender to the God Emperor of Mankind’s Holy Inquisition. Landing description for the players: little meeting Your courtyard, armored cobblestone a in lands Aquila the in landed that teams the that hear They resistance. fields havereported gun firebut nosign oforganized defense. The players see an leads ornamental to the main door hall of that that’s the hall great mansion. the However to the entrance gain they in, get players filled with portraitsand sculptures. There is an odor of polished wood. They can make awareness routine a (hearing) (+20) to hear footsteps approaching. Shortly after they see a man dressed in fine clothes wearing layers of fineHe jewelry. isaccompanied by guards. personal three Acolytes: the to loud out following the Read Players Players will board an armored Aquila Lander. As he he next day the Inquisitor and Governor players Callidos, along with are the when is This met counsel. the of members other by their strike teams securing key terrain. If he has to a deal with, force it shall be destroyed. none However, of our scans indicate anything large than a small house But guards. hundred one around are Estimates guard. hisof percent ninety isthat themost me worries what works show signs of mutations. This will end before this.” in me fail kill, not or do capture thissunset day, of the room. When everyoneof the room. he loud speaks is seated, and clear “Zarkovus Yorktos shows all he signs is that a Heretic Extremus. are There His family Wake. has Hesiod’s the on nobles the all of most mutants no records of Inquisitional inquires being conducted on this planet. I will remain in orbit to direct the As As the players arrive and other Inquisitorial parties filein with them, theirInquisitorstands at the front telling telling all Inquisition agents to Alpha. Room get Briefing to report geared up and Acolytes: the to loud out following the Read the the Inquisitor, using all of his authority, decides to bring the wrath of the Inquisition to Wake. Hesiod’s naval same the aboard transported will be players The Inquisitor. as their vessel Soon after exiting the warp, there is an overhead vox he was barely able to keep his title and land from being being from land and title his keep to able barely was he that shows records the in abnormality an Also, seized. fiveyearsYorktos began agoto Baron buy foodstuffs Wake. Hesiod’s on noble another from If the players bring their findingsto their Inquisitor, Thoseat the Librariumcan make avery easy (+30) logic check. Success gives them the charters from the the for past year he six Every years shipments. baron’s and Imperium the to contributions tithe his maxed has delivered all food stuffsto feed the massesof Clove. Strangely enough, before those six year records show back back alive, he is brought into interrogation, but dies shortly into it. His brain is detonated by a polymer based implant that was set to detonate when certain keywords were spoken. This Inquisitor that only this plot proves should to be level. Extremis elevated the to the players will debrief the governor and their Inquisitor. Inquisitor. their and will governor debrief the players Yorktos Zarkovus Baron to (hopefully) leads trail The TheInquisitorof grantsWake. themHesiod’s access to the Librarium to conduct research on the Baron utilizing his level of If access. Gimwyrm was brought BRIEF? DE T T Debrief? 12 Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a AftermathAFTERMATH love was blocked off from receiving any

supplies or aid because of its large mutant III population. There was fear the Clove would Cbe split by civil war like the hive world Trench. By the Will of the Emperor that did not happen. It is evident that the people of Clove’s code of honor was kept by the mutants. The mutants marched to Merconus Memorial, knelt and surrendered. This last miracle convinced the Ecclesiarchy to recognize Marshal Alexander Merconus as Saint Merconus the Perspicacious. h a p t e r C Those who chose to fight found few allies against those working to resurrect Clove. The mutants that surrendered were given a chance to keep living, to give meaning to their existence again, and were sent to Dalthus and Purgatory of Soubiris mining worlds where they could find purpose.

In six standard terran months of case building and research the Acolytes sit in a courtroom to watch the trial of Baron Yorktos. The trial takes place in the high court of Clove where the horrendous crimes against the Emperor took place. The Inquisition’s investigation points to the Baron’s tainted harvest. Including his willingness to corrupt others with his Xeno-gene influenced crops. Combined with the catalyst in the drug Twilight, these Xeno-gene crops would cause rapid mutations that would twist your views and open your mind to a universe of indescribable horrors.

The Barons pleads for mercy, telling the court that he had no idea that his food was tainted. He babbles about a man that gave him fresh and healthy crops when he was enduring rough times. When asked to prove his statements he was speechless. The sentence handed down was Guilty of Heresy in the highest degree for aiding Xenos life forms, and the list goes on. The Baron stands awestruck, cringing as the sentence is announced.

He was sentenced to serve the Ordo Hereticus as they see fit.

[If the Acolytes wish, they can make one last check to discover the report submitted by their Inquisitor]

13 : Clove’s : limited Clove’s Clove Clove cannot support Clove exports arms, People People of Clove believe in Courage In In in millennium, the forty-first early Staying true to tradition, Clovists treat treat Clovists tradition, to true Staying Drusus Dragoons. Drusus History: hive Beaconus, the first hivebuilt on Clove, a terrible virus broke out. It quickly spread and grew out of control. The mass riots and fires panic broke out. They quickly causesspread warriors warriors of the Imperium as heroes. in Most point of some at weapon a held has populace the honor is insulted a duel one’s When their lives. be must it but legal, is Dueling follow. to sure is organized. Each duelist will select a gentleman to represent themselves, also trying to find a non-lethal way to make amends. Mercenaries, bounty hunters and hired weapon trainers are as them view They Clovists. true all by disliked thrones. good do for only who thugs Principle Exports: MK-23. Semita and Horses munitions, Principle Imports: itself and imports food in the from Hazeroth subsector and Agri-Worlds raw building materials. Imperial Guard Recruitment population keeps the recruitment small, but only the best are chosen for the famed 23rd made up of nobles representing their houses. their representing of up made nobles Religion: and It is Honor. as important in battle as it is in the manufactorias. Glory on the battlefield grants your house a seat class. noble the for of honors highest in the Arms, the Counsel of The Ecclesiarchy reinforces that all service to the Emperor is glorious and honorable. Once every year a day is dedicated to honoring who’ve all died in service to the Emperor. Those who survived the great battles tell of all their comrades, tales of There is hard would-be a fought saint foresight and sacrifice. The Cult Cloveon victories. of Merconus, for his though fanatical, holds the same values as the Ecclesiarchy but there has not been evidence yet enough to decree Alexander asMerconus Cult. Imperial the to a Saint Society: of the lead seat on the counsel of arms, which is which arms, of counsel the on seat lead the of C o 20 Temperate Aleronos Callidos, holder holder Callidos, Aleronos Cloves takes 473 terran days +++ +++ +++

p p e n d i x 2,000,000,000 Hazeroth Guthrine Barren moon fortified A

Hive World Hive love love is a world rooted service. and tradition in A strict code of honor Appendix Mean Surface Temperate: Surface Mean Governor: Planetary training facility. training Population: Classification: Climate to to orbit its star and spins on its axis every 26 hours. Terran Satellites: as bastion, Callus: a PDF space station and Class: Subsector: and Days: Years are are side effects crisscrossing fromvalleys out burnt are There an world. over industrialized warrior. of scars a veteran battle the like Clove data+++ +++Planetary are are put in the famed 23rd Drusus Dragoons regiment who ride into battle on their Semita ThereHorses. are ten hiveson Clovebut only covered is Clove population. Cloves houses nine in ashen colored sand, black toxic oceans that is ingrained in every of people. class All the nobles of Clove have military training is easily met Recruitment a and service record. on Clove; the best candidates are through often rigorous put tests. If they succeed they CLOVE C C Clove 14 Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a beyond control, consuming the lower levels of It was said and later written that the Beaconus the hive. Collapsed levels of the hive caused it fire could be seen from parts of the hive for to shift and begin to fall but stopped after only many decades. The Ecclesiarchy declared it as a shifting twenty degrees, thank the Emperor. monument, a city tomb and none were allowed It was at that point that Marshal Alexander entrance. The folk lore speaks of getting distress Merconus organized an evacuation from within calls or seeing strange lights when a shuttle the hive, calling shuttles and cargo vessels to flies too close. Those who have gone to rob the assist. For two days shuttles of all make and size crypt city have either come back insane or not evacuated as many lives as they could. During returned at all. p p e n d i x those two days the virus infected mob tried to A break through, but the Adeptus Arbites, led by Contact with other worlds: Stable warp paths Marshal Merconus repelled the assaults. On to: Stygian Prime, Purgatory of Soubirous, the third day, Marshal Merconus ordered a halt Hessiod’s Wake, Malice, and Dalthus. to the evacuation as the virus had breached the gates.

Weapons:

Solid Projectile Name Class Range RoF Dam Pen Clip Rld Special* Wt Cost Availibility Gavialus Pistol 25m S/2/- 1d10+2 I 1 8 Full C 2 100 Scarce Coffers-12 Basic 40m S/-/6 1d10+3 I 0 20 Full as carbine, A 4.5 75 Average Coffers-8 Long Barrel Pistol 35m S/-/- 1d10+3 I 1 8 Full A 3.5 80 Average Riot Shotgun Basic 30m S/3/- 1d10+3 I 0 20 2 Full S, U 6 500 Scarce

LAS Name Class Range RoF Dam Pen Clip Rld Special* Wt Cost Availibility Dragoon Rifle Basic 70m S/3/- 1d10+2 E 0 30 Full carbine, R, A 4 120 Rare Novos Flare Basic 5m S/-/- 1d10+1 E 0 25 Full S 5 750 Rare

Melee Name Class Range RoF Dam Pen Clip Rld Special* Wt Cost Availibility Cavalier Saber Melee 1d10+1 2 M, F 2 120 Scarce Sentence Hammer Melee 1d10+1 0 Sh, Un 3 200 Scarce

* Accurate, Concealable, Fast, Mono, Reliable, Scatter, Shocking, Unbalanced, Unreliable

Weapon traits: Carbine: Weapon can be fired one handed with only a -10 Penalty. Concealable: Adds +10 to concealment checks hiding weapon

Armour:

Armour Type Locations Covered AP Special Wt Cost Availability Arbites Flak Armour Vest Body 3 Undercover 2.5 100 Rare

Armour trait: Undercover: Awareness (sight) to notice that armor is being worn has a -20 penalty

28 Fel

25 WP

20 Per

23 Int

Ag 30 As seen fit to the GM the to seen fit As T 40 S 42 4/8/12/24 Armsman-10 Pistol, Great Cleaver Great Pistol, Armsman-10

12 28 BS Piecemeal Carapace – 5 Arms, Legs, Arms, – 5 Carapace Piecemeal 40 WS MAGDELA HELTUS “Tech Priestess Adeptus Mechanus Magdela Heltus Furnacus” of Flue Piety Errant Magos She is dressed in orange and red flame that have resistantbeen singed and robes she has a chemical odor. The little flesh youcan see is burntand covered in cancerous lumps. She speaks in a clear mechanical been tone. She’s theeven to vapors coolant from things, various to exposed core. fusion plasma Furnacus BLESSING OF NINE The Blessing of Nine cult made is are dregs. unskilled Most but combatants, up still have been mutants of and They Favous. Gimwyrm to treasures all and any bringing themgivehis powerto strength thethe of witness all have speaks of powers. them.rarely Ruinous He Thename of this cult is derived from how many times blessed food is a mutation. bestows it eaten before He goes by the name Ogbor. He has been a bane to Clove Clove to has beenbane a He Ogbor. thename by goes He for the last ten years; only it’s been recent times that his band of mutants had enough gall to try and Arbites storm checkpoint. an Thirteen mutants and four heavily armed Arbitrators were killed. Ogbor is a large mutant with incredible strength and toughness. He carries many ‘war’ trophies. One being an firstArbitrator he Armsman-10 killedand from many other the trinkets. His bounty three of armors the from together scraped is armor hunters that he killed, helm also with an carapace Arbite the Aquila chipped off. He favors his self-made cleaver. scrap Profile Main Movement: Wounds: etc: talents, and Skills Weapons: Gear: 4 Head Body, r gbo tz O Her Magdela Heltus Heltus Magdela Blessing of Nine Blessing Hertz Ogbor Hertz

- 30 Fel 27 Fel 32 Fel

28 28 25 WP WP WP

40 Per 24 28 Per Per s

’s 38 Int 23 Int 31 Int

Ag 32 Ag 31 Ag 34 As seen fit to the GM the to seen fit As As seen fit to the GM the to seen fit As As seen fit to the GM the to seen fit As T T T 28 38 28 +++ +++ +++ C’ NP S S S 28 NPC 32 30 4/8/12/24 4/8/12/24 4/8/12/24 Gavialus, Sentence Hammer Sentence Gavialus, Coffers-8, Mono Sword Sword Mono Coffers-8,

10 35 BS 23 BS 28 BS Arbite Undercover Armor Undercover Arbite Flak Armor - 4 all Armor Flak Serpentine – Best Quality (+10 WS) Quality (+10 – Best Serpentine 32 31 35 WS WS WS Movement: etc: talents, and Skills Weapons: Gear: not in the field she wears her black and grey Arbites Arbites and her grey black shewears the in field not coat. long matching its with cap officer and uniform Profile Main Bella Holtz - Enforcer investiga for talents whose enforcer street …A veteran When Division her branch. the in Special landed tion Movement: Wounds: etc: talents, and Skills Weapons: Gear: Pit Thugs Profile Main Movement: etc: talents, and Skills Gear: abomination. Aleronos Callidos Profile Main nts and dregs The muta underhive the in combat the for dregs and mutants The pages on basebook Heresy Dark the from taken be can There338-342. are 6 2and dregs, mutants, 1 mutant Pit thugs Pit Aleronos Callidos Callidos Aleronos Bella Holtz - Enforcer - Holtz Bella The mutants and dregs and mutants The 16 Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a +++ Pe r s o n a l No t e s Personal+++ Notes p p e n d i x A

will be responsible for any travel required during the mission. When you have have you When mission. the during required travel any for responsible bewill return. to you for travel again arrange I will mission once the completed Theremay Interrogators be from other Ordos also investigating this issue, me. to send you I expect full reports details in the Inquisitor Transmission++ ++End time time there are rumours of Cult activity. are You to report to the Arbites Adeptus Special Division in the Hive contact Capital, willHueis Your Idoes. be Arbitrator Enforcer Bella Holtz. Treat her as you would treat Acolyte. another Xenos suspected the investigate to alsoyou like I would planet-side on While This drug has the beeninfor increasing popularity Twilight. drug nicknamed in believe coincidences. I don’t how all know you and years, last three you there From Clove. to you take to location your a from ship charted I have +++ Acolytes+++ +++ Acolytes, Greetings I have been impressed with your successes in recent missions. I am sending about rumors the into investigation an conduct to needed information the you Clove. world Hive the At same the past have For mutations increased years three exponentially. ++Transmission++DELTA LEVEL++ ++Transmission++DELTA +Inquisitor (Fig. 1-1) Player Handout - Printer friendly - Printer Handout 1-1) Player (Fig. 18 Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a (Fig. 1-2) Player Handout - Printer friendly

+++ ARBITES’ DATA SLATE INFORMATION+++

+++ 34-S.D. Arbites and approved Administratum personnel only +++ Clearance Delta Required *Clearance approved* a n d o u t

Dating back 3 standard terrain years a small marginal increase of mutations

where filed and teams were sent to assess probable causes of them. The H mutations were citizens of gray worker class from factatorium workers to special tradesmen.

No probable causes were ever found. A filing system was started a year later

to record registered citizens with mutations. A year later the program was l a y e r

abandoned due to conflicting data and lack of funds and trained personnel. P Protocols were made and enforced; these being limited rights and special housing, reconstruction of citizens’ funds and reclamation of titles and/or deeds.

Since then the mutations have steadily increased but no longer just in gray worker class but also in clerks of the Administratum and the priests of the Ecclesiarchy. Now even lesser nobles in the upper and lower levels of every hive on Clove have reported the same kind of epidemic. It is only recently that we have found out that a cult might be the one responsible for all this.

We have not yet been able to get any info on this cult. Nor have we concluded that this cult is the one responsible for the theft and damage of food and medical stores. The cult is rumored to be operating somewhere in the lower regions of Gelt Square, an older trading bazaar. All attempts have failed to try and locate the cult’s exact whereabouts.

The Special Division Precinct house

+++ 34-Adeptus Arbite and approved Administratum personnel only +++

19 +++ Co r r u p t i o Op t i m i Pe s s i m a +++

orruptio Optimi Pessima is a stand- alone campaign for the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay: Dark Heresy designed Cfor middle ranking Acolytes (rank 4-6). In the following description of the Campaign setting we will suggest certain rolls to be made at certain times. These are not set in stone.

While this campaign was designed for the Calixis sector, it can easily be adapted for games that are being run in different sectors of the galaxy. This campaign was also designed so that there isn’t just one way to solve the problem at hand, if the players want combat, they can go that route. Or if they enjoy the covert, investigative approach, they will also be able to complete the mission. This mission can be used to teach players that overt operations are not always going to get the best results.