In the depths of Guttercreek Precinct, where the air was choked with smog and shadows held dominion, a gang of miscreants known as “The Scab Rats” had unwittingly stumbled upon a relic of unimaginable power. A fragment of warpstone, infused with malevolent energy that seemed to twist reality itself.
Their fortune, or perhaps their curse, had led them to a decision. They would cash in on their ill-gotten gains, seeking to sell the warpstone to a mysterious and ominous figure, Ravus Blackfeather. Little did The Scab Rats know Blackfeather was a secret chaos worshipper who had already betrayed them.
The Scab Rats: Slinger, Vic, Grudge, and Dust.
As the sunless hours of Guttercreek Precinct’s eternal night enveloped the sprawling hive city, The Scab Rats embarked on their treacherous journey, led by their enigmatic leader, Grudge. Alongside him marched Vic, Dust, and Slinger.
The treacherous Ravus Blackfeather.
Their path wound through labyrinthine tunnels and treacherous alleys, where danger lurked in every shadow. Yet, the lure of riches beyond measure and the chance to escape their lowly existence pushed them forward, even as a palpable sense of dread gnawed at their souls.
Unbeknownst to The Scab Rats, their intentions had not gone unnoticed. In the heart of the underhive, amid the ruins of a derelict factory, two figures awaited their arrival with sinister anticipation. They were the last survivors of a warband damned by their ambition and forsaken by their dark gods.
Zarkul Warpreaver and Mordax Bloodclaw.
Zarkul Warpreaver and Mordax Bloodclaw had heard whispers of the warpstone’s fragment—a source of chaotic energy potent enough to rend the fabric of reality itself. With the world of Noxhaven Bastion serving as their prison, they saw this fragment as their only hope for escape, their ticket out of damnation.
Ravus Blackfeather, the robed enigma, was not what he seemed. Behind his mysterious façade lay a sinister secret. He had deceived The Scab Rats, selling them out to Zarkul and Mordax, revealing their every move and their intent to sell the warpstone.
The fateful meeting was set deep within the underhive, where the air was thick with the stench of desperation, and betrayal lingered like a curse. Ravus Blackfeather waited in the shadows, ready to complete the transaction. Yet, he was not alone. Zarkul Warpreaver and Mordax Bloodclaw loomed ominously nearby.
As The Scab Rats ventured deeper into the abyss, the atmosphere grew tense, and the very walls seemed to close in around them. Shadows danced with malevolent glee, whispering secrets of doom. With every echoing footstep, the warpstone fragment pulsed with an eerie light, as if it were aware of the impending cataclysm.
The moment of reckoning had come. A clash between desperation and greed, where The Scab Rats would face their most harrowing trial yet. Bloodclaw and Warpreaver, the last survivors of a doomed army, had but one goal—to seize the warpstone and create a rift to freedom. It was a confrontation that would test the boundaries of reality and plunge them all into the depths of madness.
The Game
The Scab Rats have limited ammunition, and their guns have very little chance of harming the two Chaos Marines.
Their main aim will be to escape with their lives (and their priceless warpstone). There will be 15 potential exits through various vents and trapdoors. Only one of these will be an exit to freedom. This will be determined by using a deck of cards.
- One card is the exit
- Two cards are extra weapons the gang may use – roll a D20 on the weapons table to discover which
- Three cards are traps at a damage of 2D6
- Nine cards are non-events
Slinger has five grenades. I created the rules for these myself. Range is two D6, with a blast radius of 3″ (so, potentially deadly for Slinger if he throws badly). Damage is 3D8. Grenades will bounce off any wall back the way they came to complete their full range, if applicable.
Grudge will begin the game carrying the warpstone. The carrier must take a Psyche test at the beginning of each turn. If they fail, they are hostile towards their comrades until the next turn. They will then need to retake the test.
The Scab Rats all have the Loot ability, which means they can take a Marine’s weapons in the unlikely event of them killing one.
The Scab Rats all have the Gunslinger trait, which means they can shoot out of combat.
The two Chaos Marines have the Bulwark trait, which means no charge bonus against.
The Scab Rats will split up to find the exit.
Complete Victory: All four escape with the warpstone.
Partial Victory: One or more escape with their lives.
Defeat: All four are killed.
During the game, I jotted down some very basic notes and fed them into ChatGPT to create the following battle report:
Turn One
In the dimly lit chamber of the derelict factory, tension hung heavy as the Scab Rats and the Chaos Space Marines faced off. The warpstone, a shimmering fragment of pure malevolence, was cradled in the arms of Grudge, the enigmatic leader of the Scab Rats. He could feel its unsettling power coursing through him, but his psyche held firm, resisting the insidious whispers that threatened to consume him.
As the first turn unfolded, the Scab Rats had the advantage. The Chaos Space Marines, Zarkul Warpreaver and Mordax Bloodclaw, had failed to seize the initiative, finding themselves trailing behind their prey. This momentary respite allowed Grudge and his gang to react.
Grudge, determined to protect the warpstone at all costs, felt the warpstone’s eerie influence gnawing at the edges of his mind. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to focus his thoughts. The warpstone’s power was a double-edged sword, and he needed to master it, not be mastered by it. His psyche remained steady, and he retained control over his actions.
Slinger, ever resourceful, had split from the group earlier to scout for an escape route. He now found himself in a dimly lit chamber adjacent to the main confrontation area. To his surprise, his fingers brushed against something unexpected—a sniper rifle concealed within the vent’s dark recesses. The weapon felt cold and deadly in his grip, promising precision and lethality in the upcoming confrontation.
Meanwhile, Vic had ventured into a different part of the factory. Cautiously investigating a vent, he probed deeper, unaware that danger lurked within. As he triggered a hidden trap, it sprang to life, lashing out with cruel efficiency. Vic grimaced as he suffered the brunt of the trap’s cruel punishment, taking 3 damage. Blood welled from his wounds, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to be deterred.
Dust, known for his cunning, had taken a separate path altogether. Venturing into the darkness, he sought the exit with single-minded determination. His nimble fingers found the way, and the prospect of escape beckoned tantalizingly.
However, the serenity of the moment was shattered when Mordax Bloodclaw, fueled by a surge of savage fury, charged forward. With a guttural roar, he lunged at Dust, his armored frame a blur of malevolent intent. In one swift, brutal motion, he seized Dust and hurled him across the chamber. Dust’s body crashed against the hard metal of a nearby structure, leaving him battered and disoriented.
The first turn had come to an explosive end, setting the stage for a confrontation that would test the Scab Rats’ resolve and the Chaos Space Marines’ unrelenting thirst for the warpstone’s power. In the dimly lit chamber, the warpstone’s eerie glow cast elongated shadows, and the battle between light and darkness had only just begun.
Turn Two
As the second turn began, the Chaos Space Marines, their red eyes burning with malevolence, seized the advantage. Zarkul Warpreaver and Mordax Bloodclaw were eager to close in on their prey and claim the coveted warpstone.
Bloodclaw, his bolt pistol held steady, took aim at Dust, who had just recovered from being hurled across the chamber. With a deafening shot, the bolt round streaked through the air, narrowly missing Dust as he dove for cover behind a rusted metal crate. The resounding impact sent sparks flying, leaving scorch marks on the chamber’s walls.
Warpreaver, on the other hand, aimed his bolter at Grudge, the bearer of the warpstone. The deafening roar of the bolter echoed through the chamber as the rounds erupted from the weapon’s barrel. However, Grudge, fueled by determination and the warpstone’s eerie power, moved with uncanny speed. The bolts whizzed past him, missing their mark entirely. Grudge remained unscathed, the warpstone’s influence granting him an otherworldly agility.
With the immediate threats momentarily thwarted, it was the Scab Rats’ turn to respond.
Grudge, having passed his psyche test once again, retained his control over the malevolent warpstone. He felt its power coursing through his veins, enhancing his combat capabilities.
Dust, still in cover, took aim at Bloodclaw. He squeezed the trigger of his rifle, but the shot went wide, striking the chamber wall and sending a cascade of sparks into the air.
Slinger, positioned in the adjacent chamber, took a calculated risk. With a quick, practiced motion, he hurled a grenade toward Bloodclaw. However, the grenade missed its target, exploding harmlessly in the distance. The chamber reverberated with the deafening blast, echoing off the metal walls.
The battle had escalated, with both sides demonstrating their resilience and determination. The warpstone’s eerie glow continued to cast its eerie light upon the unfolding conflict, as the Scab Rats fought to protect their prize, and the Chaos Space Marines hungered for its dark power.
Turn Three
As the third turn unfolded, the Chaos Space Marines, despite their fervent desire to seize the initiative, found themselves once again trailing behind the Scab Rats. The eerie warpstone continued to exert its enigmatic influence over the chamber.
Grudge, the keeper of the warpstone’s dark power, held his ground and passed the psyche test once more. His determination was unshaken, and he remained in control of the malevolent artifact, granting him an unnatural resilience.
Dust, undaunted by his earlier missed shot, calmly reloaded his weapon. With unwavering focus, he aimed his rifle at Bloodclaw, pulling the trigger with precision. However, fate was not on his side, and the shot once again failed to inflict damage.
Slinger, known for his proficiency with explosives, decided to take another calculated risk. With a swift motion, he hurled a grenade toward Bloodclaw. But, much like before, the grenade missed its intended target, detonating harmlessly in the distance. The resounding explosion echoed through the chamber.
Bloodclaw, the relentless and brutal warrior, had had enough of Dust’s persistence. With a savage roar, he charged forward, his huge mutated pincer claw poised to strike. Dust, reacting with remarkable agility, narrowly evaded the charge by the barest margin, his awareness keeping him safe from a potentially devastating blow. However, Bloodclaw’s relentless assault was not deterred. With lightning speed, he struck Dust, his monstrous claw tearing through the air. Dust couldn’t fully avoid the attack, and the claw made contact, inflicting a substantial 7 damage upon him. Gritting his teeth, Dust staggered backward, bloodied but determined.
Warpreaver, realizing the threat Grudge posed with the warpstone, raised his bolter once more. He aimed at Grudge with deadly intent, but the shot went wide, missing its target entirely. Grudge, bolstered by the warpstone’s influence, moved with unnatural grace, narrowly avoiding the lethal rounds.
Turn Four
As the fourth turn dawned, the Chaos Space Marines finally seized the initiative, eager to turn the tide of the battle in their favour.
Bloodclaw, his frustration mounting, attempted to seize Dust, determined to finish him off. He lunged at the Scab Rat with brutish strength, but Dust, his agility undiminished, managed to evade the attack. With a growl of frustration, Bloodclaw’s attempt to throw Dust had failed, leaving the wiry Scab Rat standing his ground.
Meanwhile, Warpreaver, the more tactical of the two Chaos Space Marines, recognized the threat posed by Grudge. He aimed his bolter at the Scab Rat leader and unleashed a volley of rounds. The air was filled with the deafening roar of gunfire, and Grudge, despite his enhanced abilities granted by the warpstone, could not evade the onslaught. The rounds struck true, inflicting a brutal 7 damage upon him. The impact of the shots sent Grudge reeling, his resolve momentarily shaken.
In the midst of the chaos, the warpstone’s influence over Grudge waned, and he failed the psyche test. For this brief moment, the sinister artifact took control of his actions. With a menacing glare, Grudge turned hostile, his malevolent intent clear. With no Scab Rats in his immediate vicinity, he began to retreat, heading back the way he had come, away from the exit. His path was marked by a foreboding aura, and the other Scab Rats could only watch in dismay as their leader withdrew.
Dust, battered but resolute, realized that disengaging from the frenzied combat with Bloodclaw was a matter of survival. He broke away, narrowly avoiding further harm. However, the intense skirmish had taken its toll, and Dust’s health had fallen below 50%. His injuries left him weakened, and he could feel his skills slipping, reduced by one.
Slinger, positioned at a distance, took advantage of his newfound sniper rifle. He aimed with calculated precision at Bloodclaw, his finger gently squeezing the trigger. But, in the heat of the moment, the shot went wide, missing its intended target by a hair’s breadth. The chamber reverberated with the echo of the shot, a testament to the intense battle that raged on.
The fourth turn had seen a shift in momentum, with the Chaos Space Marines unleashing a relentless assault. Grudge’s temporary turn to hostility left the Scab Rats in a precarious situation, and the outcome of this harrowing confrontation remained uncertain. The warpstone’s eerie glow continued to cast its sinister light upon the unfolding battle, an ominous presence that hung heavily in the chamber.
Turn Five
As the fifth turn commenced, it was the Scab Rats who seized the initiative. With Grudge, Vic, Dust, and Slinger now regrouping and focusing on their escape, they had a plan to evade the relentless Chaos Space Marines.
Grudge, his resolve steeled by the malevolent warpstone, passed the psyche test once more. His connection to the artifact remained firm, and he retained control over its sinister power.
Vic and Grudge, recognizing the urgency of the situation, made a run for it. They swiftly moved past Warpreaver, their footsteps echoing through the chamber as they shouted to Dust and Slinger, who were nearby. The message was clear: escape while they still could.
Warpreaver, realizing that Grudge and Vic were attempting to flee, charged at Grudge with a ruthless determination to prevent their escape. He aimed to strike Grudge down, but the Scab Rat leader, bolstered by the warpstone’s power, moved with unnatural agility, narrowly evading the lethal blow.
Bloodclaw, on the other hand, targeted Vic, his huge mutated pincer claw poised to strike. He lunged at the Scab Rat, but Vic, his instincts sharp, managed to avoid the attack, sidestepping the vicious assault. Bloodclaw’s strike missed its mark, leaving Vic unscathed.
The chamber was filled with tension as the Scab Rats made a desperate bid for escape, hoping to outrun the relentless pursuit of the Chaos Space Marines.
Turn Six
As the sixth turn unfolded, the Scab Rats once again seized the initiative. However, the events that followed were marked by confusion and chaos.
Grudge, the bearer of the malevolent warpstone, faltered in his control over the sinister artifact. The insidious whispers and dark influence overwhelmed him, causing him to lose focus. In his confusion, he charged at his comrade, Vic, who had been at his side moments ago. The charge granted him a bonus, and the warpstone’s power bolstered his combat abilities, enhancing his fight skill by 1. Grudge struck Vic, inflicting 2 damage upon him. Vic, however, refused to retaliate against his friend, opting instead to try to help the situation.
Vic, still standing, turned his weapon towards Warpreaver, who was nearby. He attempted to take a shot at the Dark Marine, but the chaos of the moment caused his aim to falter, and the shot missed its mark.
Warpreaver, sensing an opportunity as Grudge stumbled in his confusion, tried to capitalize on the situation by attacking Grudge. However, his assault failed to connect, as Grudge’s erratic movements defied prediction.
Bloodclaw, the terrifying and unrelenting Chaos Space Marine, saw an opening and seized it. He launched a savage attack against Vic, brutally inflicting massive damage that left Vic gravely wounded and unable to continue the fight. Vic fell, his life extinguished by the relentless assault.
The chamber echoed with the cacophony of battle, and the once-cohesive Scab Rats were now embroiled in a chaotic and tragic confrontation.
Turn Seven
As the seventh turn unfolded, the Scab Rats managed to seize the initiative once more. Grudge, his willpower tested by the malevolent warpstone, managed to maintain control over its eerie power.
With a sense of urgency, Grudge decided that retreat was the only option. He made a run for it, breaking away from the Chaos Space Marine, Warpreaver, who had been in hot pursuit. Warpreaver attempted to strike at Grudge as he fled, but his attack missed its mark. Despite the close call, Grudge managed to elude his grasp, his enhanced agility granted by the warpstone allowing him to slip away.
However, Bloodclaw was not far behind. He saw an opportunity to close the distance, charging after Grudge with relentless determination. As he reached the Scab Rat leader, he managed to land a blow, inflicting 2 damage. Grudge felt the pain, but his resolve remained unshaken.
Turn Eight
As the eighth and final turn unfolded, Grudge, the Scab Rat leader, was determined to make a desperate escape. He passed the psyche test, his willpower still holding firm against the malevolent warpstone.
With the exit vent within inches of his reach, Grudge broke away from the pursuing Bloodclaw. Despite the Chaos Space Marine’s efforts, he couldn’t land a blow as Grudge fled, the Scab Rat leader’s agility proving crucial in this critical moment.
However, Warpreaver, recognizing the imminent threat to their plans, raised his bolter and opened fire. His shots found their mark, striking Grudge in the back with deadly accuracy. The brutal impact inflicted 6 damage upon Grudge, leaving him bloodied and battered. His health had fallen below 50%, and the injuries took their toll, reducing all his skills.
Bloodclaw, seizing the opportunity presented to him, charged at Grudge with relentless fury. In a brutal and devastating attack, he inflicted gruesome damage upon the Scab Rat leader. The relentless assault proved fatal, and Grudge fell, his life extinguished mere inches from the exit vent.
The grim reality set in—the game was over. Despite the valiant efforts of Slinger and Dust, who had managed to escape, the Scab Rats had suffered heavy losses. Vic and Grudge had paid the ultimate price, and the coveted warpstone had fallen into the hands of the Chaos Space Marines, Zarkul Warpreaver and Mordax Bloodclaw. The derelict factory bore witness to the tragic conclusion of this fateful encounter, its shadows illuminated only by the eerie glow of the malevolent artifact.
