#i am v impressed with gorm's character development

[nemossubmarine]

Warhammer 40k: Wrath and Glory RP #40

As soon as they’re out of Terra, Ahram pulls Saef aside and tells him that he absolutely needs to have the crystal back, or he can’t guarantee what will happen. Saef pulls out the shards of the crystal and Ahram sort of deflates, saying it wasn’t meant to be in pieces. Saef explains where he got them and who he presumes are inside the crystals, and gives the piece he found at the Haemonculus cave to Ahram. Ahram doesn’t know what to do with it, he attempts to get the soul inside in him, but doesn’t manage. Saef pushes the soul inside into Ahram, who says he doesn’t feel much different.

Ahram explains his situation. As Saef has surmised, he is a clone. Cloning technology has existed for a long time in the Imperium, but there has been the trouble of the clones being super-unlucky and dying really quickly. A tech-priest on Triplex Phall figured it must have been due to the soul not splitting with the clones. So they took the soul out of Ahram using eldar spirit stones and made three clones. This Ahram is a clone (as was Saef’s Ahram, and the Ahram working for Kane Bullard), and he isn’t sure what happened to the original Ahram. Ahram says he could technically take Saef’s Ahram’s soul, but he isn’t quite sure what that would mean, as he has lived quite a life. Saef says there’s no need, he is going to have to let Ahram go at some point, but needs some time.

Saef’s eyes aren’t still working properly, so he asks Gorm if there’s any medics about. Gorm says there should be an apothecary around, Gorm’s also looking for a chaplain so they might as well go together. They do find a chaplain and an apothecary chatting. The apothecary takes Saef to the medbay and Gorm goes with the chaplain, named Calidus Examinare.

Gorm asks Calidus whether he could have a look at the Codex Astartes. He explains having met the Primarch of the Ultramarines, and it was an eye-opener so he would love to read more about his thoughts. Calidus is more than happy to part with a copy. Gorm shows Calidus the necklace he got from Fenris, and asks why it was given to him with no explanation. Calidus admits not knowing about how things like these are done on Fenris, but he surmises it could be a test to see what Gorm would do and act once such an object was given to him. 

Gorm explains to Calidus about a situation with a brother he is worried for, who’s on the wrong path. Calidus ssays that it is only natural to be worried for a fellow battle-brother, and Gorm clarifies that he is not talking about a fellow Astartes, but a regular person. Then it is more complex of a situation, Calidus admits, the duty of the Astartes is to fight for the betterment of the humanity, it is easy to understand their path, but humans as whole have no such duty, so they are free to occasionally do bad things to each other. Calidus does encourage Gorm to help this friend to find his purpose and place among humanity. 

Finally Gorm asks if he may join the Ultramarines for a prayer, and Calidus says he is free to do so, if he comes with humility and willingness. Prayer is a place to look into oneself, and many people do not pray because they do not like what they find when they look. Gorm says he is willing, and Calidus welcomes him. Gorm thanks him and leaves.

Saef and the apothecary, Julius Nepos, go to the medbay, where Saef explains the situation. Julius looks over the eyes and informs Saef that his sight may never return. If Saef wishes, or if it gets worse, Saef should talk to the Mechanicus of his regiment, so he can get augmentations. But for now Julius gives him nice new sci-fi glasses (+1 to appearing smart!).

While Saef and Gorm are gone, Gimlet goes to find a place where he can be alone, which is the ship’s engine room. He sets up tea for himself, and for a second person, which is the picture of Cara. He journals and talks with his mother.

The time our heroes spend at the Ultarmarines’ ship is rather quiet. Saef takes his time meditating. Ahram reads books (Saef’s Blood Angels’ book and then later a ship manual). Gimlet hangs out alone at the engine room. Uffe goes to practice with the Ultramarines. Gorm is barely ever present, going to the communal prayers and to follow the practice, and when he is present, he is nose-deep in the Codex Astartes. 

Nearing their destination one day, everyone is gathered into a room, minus Ahram who, having sensed that something is happening has gone off to do something else. Gorm asks Uffe if he wants to stay to listen in, because he has something to say. Uffe shrugs and says if it’s okay with the others, mostly Gimlet. Gimlet says it’s cool.

So Gorm begins to speak, telling that when they went to Terra it was a big revelation to him and now he had time to reflect on it. He fears that he had made a misjudgement on Terra, because of the heated emotions of the moment. Gorm says that maybe it was his fault, in the perspective of things that Gimlet knows. Gimlet went behind Gorm’s and Saef’s back, but that is what Inquisition people do, and Gorm should have taken more careful measures around Gimlet. Gimlet says this is a rather surprising admission. 

Gorm admits to some confusion about Gimlet’s path and motivations. He points out that Gimlet speaked a lot of fear of death back on Terra, and Gorm is of the opinion that many things Gimlet has done so far is because of this fear. Gorm wants to know what Gimlet wants to do before he dies, and says that to him it seems Gimlet wants vengeance on the dead people of Limestow. Gimlet says he wants his memories back, he wants justice for Limestow and to uncover what Tanner did. Gorm says finding his memories is a cause he can sort of understand, but for Limestow he has some reservations. To Gorm and to the Space Wolves, death is a natural part of life, a natural end point. Gorm wishes Gimlet wouldn’t dwell too much on what happened before, because nothing can change it, except warp and that is a sure path to damnation.

Gimlet makes the point that he is only seeking justice for Limestow, and vengeance for himself. Gorm asks that what if someone would offer to get his mother back, he isn’t convinced Gimlet wouldn’t take such a deal. Gorm says that instead of dwelling on Limestow Gimlet should focus on the future, on what he could do. Gimlet says it is not easy, and Gorm agrees that it is not, but he can help Gimlet. 

Gorm says that people of Limestow don’t want justice anymore, and Gimlet, quite heatedly says that Gorm doesn’t know that, because the people of Limestow can’t say that for themselves, on the account of being dead. Gorm tells that for the Space Wolves, it is important to honor the dead, to remember them and what they died for. And if it were Gorm in Gimlet’s shoes he’d think about why they passed and work on prevention and leave what happened behind. Gimlet says that’s just Gorm’s opinion, and Gorm counters with saying it’s his advice.

Gimlet says his hope was only to be free after completing his mission, and that is now crushed. Gorm asks what changes if Tanner’s crimes are found out, and Gimlet says wouldn’t Gorm want to know, what he did and why he took Gimlet’s (and others’) memories. Gorm shrugs and says many people miss memories (including himself). Gorm thinks finding out about Tanner’s crimes isn’t a good idea, because it is not Gimlet’s place to judge him, the only who judges him anymore is the All-Father. Gimlet disagrees, thinking it is precisely his responsibility to do so. Gorm says that what Gimlet will find out won’t change things, and Gimlet coutners that Gorm can’t know if its worth it. Gorm says it won’t change anything for Tanner or for the people who are dead.

Besides Gimlet already found his parents, and that was a big thing. Gorm wants Gimlet not to focus on his negative feelings. He encourages Gimlet to find his past, but not to focus on the dead. The dead got what they deserved, and some did not, but they are dead nonetheless. Gorm thinks it would be more prudent to focus on living Inquisitors rather than Tanner’s crimes. There’s a lot of people who don’t speak highly of Inquisition, and Gimlet has a choice and knowledge to change things from within. Gimlet says he only wants out, because he thought he was doing good when he was in Inquisition, because this was how he was raised. Gimlet brings Vivek as an example. He says he treated Vivek awful, because he is an arsonist and that was the only thing he saw, but Vivek is alright (don’t tell Vivek Gimlet said that).

Gorm says it is important to think for themselves, such as Gimlet had to do after Tanner’s judgement. It is dangerous not to question things one believes in, Gorm says questioning  is how one finds out if those beliefs are worth it.

Gorm asks what Gimlet wants to do once he is out of the Inquisition. Gimlet says he doesn’t know, he mentions that his father is looking for their relatives. Maybe he’s going to see the world, maybe he’ll be an adventurer. 

Gorm asks who is Gimlet’s true self, the one he was before Terra around Gorm and Saef, or the one on the phone with his old friends. Gimlet says both. Gorm encourages Gimlet to be his true self. Gimlet says that’s what he has been.

Gorm says that he has been worried for his friend, because he is watching his friends go against with what Gorm believes in, dwelling in the past, tinkering with truth (I never lied technically, says Gimlet; that is why I said tinkering, says Gorm), which is a quick way to get away from the All-Father’s light.

But it is not Gorm’s place to judge, he just wishes Gimlet would not have been afraid to speak his truth. Gimlet points out that Gorm has had the decency to act very irrationally and quickly re:punching Gimlet when he thought Gimlet had shot Vivek. Gorm apologizes and says he will not act like that anymore. 

Gimlet says he never intended to do harm to Gorm or Saef. Gorm says he is still afraid of things Gimlet knows and how dangerous they could be, but he is choosing to trust Gimlet, because not trusting Gimlet wouldn’t do any good to Gimlet, and Gorm is worried for Gimlet.

Gorm explains that after they left Terra he was still angry, and he admits bugging Gimlet, telling there’s a listening device in his inventory. But now Gorm realizes it doesn’t do any good acting behind Gimlet’s back, there is no good to be done by those means. Gimlet looks at how Uffe is reacting to this and he appears to be a bit surprised, but again he is very hard to read as always.

Gorm has one more thing he wants to ask about, about the jaw of the wolf Gimlet gave to Gorm on Terra. Gorm asks if it was from Harald’s wolves, and Gimlet says that is so. Gorm nods sagely, that would explain it then. Morkai was stalking them on Orchard Mountain, and the jawbone is an amulet of Morkai, which has made Gimlet more scared of death. But now Gimlet has chosen to give it to Gorm, and Gorm is meant to lure Morkai away from Gimlet, and Gimlet doesn’t need to worry anymore.

Gorm’s last point is that Space Marines don’t do anything that isn’t worth dying for, and he wasn’t sure if Gimlet’s cause is worth Gorm’s death, but now he thinks there is good for the Imperium in Gimlet surviving. Gorm asks Gimlet to think about what he wants to do after the Inquisition, what he would be willing to die for. Gorm says there is only life, he shouldn’t spend it unnecessarily. Gimlet says he hasn’t thought about it, but he will. 

(Gorm and Uffe have a long long conversation about all this later. Uffe basically says he still doesn’t know Gimlet, but he isn’t stepping in the way of what Gorm wants to do, even if he doesn’t get it completely. He isn’t too keen on the idea that Gimlet should not have his memories erased, which Gorm argues is the right thing. He also mentions Saef as a possible problem. Gorm reveals the conversation which he had with Vivek, and Uffe isn’t happy about that, apparently he had merely let Vivek think it was Chaos-influenced (which he admits wasn’t that great, but still, that was not Gorm’s thing to talk about (he should talk to Vivek)). Gorm asks about Uffe’s memories pre-Wolfing and Uffe says there’s basically none. Gorm thinks there is some kind of a choice that is coming up for Uffe, where Uffe should choose differently, just as Gorm chose differently with Gimlet. Gorm isn’t sure what it is, but it might have something to do with Uffe not being very communicative unless spoken to. Uffe admits to it, and says he’ll attempt to do better. (somewhere in this conversation comes up the fact that Gorm thinks they’re just people (echoing when Guilliman told him he’s just a soldier), and I’m putting it here just in case I’ll use it later). Gorm also calls Fenris again, and explains his change of heart. Sveleighr gives him free reign to do as he pleases, but says his commands have not changed.)

After a few days of silent living, our heroes hop off near Obsidia, and Saef hitchhikes the whole party to a delivery ship going to Dew Mountain, to the New Dawn in fact. Our heroes are dropped off at the hangar. The ship is empty and the lights are turned off, but soon a familiar figure comes by, that of Larssen Van Der Grauss, Elucia Vhane’s Mechanicus. He’s surprised to see our heroes and also recognizes Ahram, but doesn’t comment on it too much. He tells our heroes that several engineering floors were completely taken by Nurgle’s rot and that’s what the Mechanicus and the Sable Swords are cleaning downstairs. All of Elucia Vhane’s people are forbidden from going there, so they’ve been evacuated to Dew Mountain.

Upon being asked about the Inquisitors on board, Larssen admits that there has been an… incident. The Inquisitors were leaving, as they don’t belong to Captain Vhane’s crew, and afterwards, well, Larssen found the murdered body of Inquisitor Engarde. No idea what happened there, but Larssen suspects one of the Mechanicus might have an idea, as they informed them of the evacuation. Gimlet asks if he could see the body, and Larssen is like a bit weird. Gorm elbows Gimlet to tell Larssen that he belongs to the Inquisition, which he does.

Our heroes inquire after Vivek, and Larssen tells that he asked Captain Vhane for a ship to go to Triplex Phall, and was granted one, but the ship is still in the hangar, so Larssen isn’t sure if he took the ride with the Inquisitors or if he’s below deck with the clean-up crew. As our heroes have no idea where the Inquisitors were headed, they decide to go help with the rot cleaning, and see what they can see there.

Larssen takes them to the elevator heading down (he doesn’t come with, neither does Ahram). There are body bags lining the walls of the hallways, and burn marks all over the place. Pretty soon our heroes catch sound of people, and come upon a group of people, Mechanicus, servitors and Sable Swords. There’s a tech-priest working on some kind of boiler, this would be Z47r, Vivek’s brother. A skitarius scans our heroes and waves them through. Z47r asks how he can help our heroes, and acknowledges having met them before. Gorm offers to help him, and he is glad to have our heroes on board. Gorm asks if he knows a person by the name of 583 (aka Vivek), Z47r replies he doesn’t know anyone by that designation (and he doesn’t appear to be lying). 

Sergeant Carl calls Z47r through vox communicators and lets him know that he is done, and the tech-priest agrees that they should meet up and move on. He begins leading his crew away, motioning for our heroes to follow. Gorm calls after him, asking if he knows what has happened to his brother. Z47r replies that his brother Vivek was sentenced to be a servitor some four years ago. 

Walking down the corridors they come across a woman fleeing something. Something about her makes the scanner of the Mechanicus make noise and Z47r cuts her down and orders his skitarii to bag the body up. 

Soon they come upon a larger room where the rest of Z47r’s folks are, including Sergeant Carl and a very, very familiar looking man in the grey jumpsuits of the servitors. It’s Vivek. Uffe grabs Gorm by the arm when he notices, cursing to himself. Gorm reminds Uffe of his promise, and Uffe says he knows and he is up for the task, though he doesn’t sound particularly happy about it. Saef catches Vivek’s eye, and Vivek gives him a subtle thumbs down.