|
Itoh VI is as harsh and desperate a world
as one can imagine. It is a virtual wasteland, yet at a
time it was thought to be valuable enough to host Imperial
settlers. Itoh is a rocky world whose only seas consist
of swirling shifting expanses of sand. The cruel monotony
of desolation is only punctuated by the occasional dust
storm or priceless oasis. Itoh VI’s climate ranges
from mild to cold with what little water it contains locked
in the polar ice caps. It is not a world that many would
value.
The first Imperial survey teams deduced that Itoh VI was once a vibrant world,
one that teamed with life. It was concluded that some disaster had caused a
complete breakdown of virtually all organic matter, although the exact cause
remained a mystery. Despite the world’s bleak state it was still settled
by the Imperium, whose supply of desperate citizens is never low.
It is thought that the world was occupied simply because it lay in a tactically
significant location with bearing to some long-forgotten war. Whether this
war was still ongoing or whether indeed Itoh VI still served some tactical
necessity when the settlers finally arrived is not now known. Regardless those
brave souls struggled to eke out an existence from the rock and dust.
 Life on Itoh VI was a constant battle for survival; an acute feeling of abandonment
and insignificance compounded this, as contact with the Imperium was almost
non-existent. Within generations the only evidence that Itoh VI belonged to
any greater organization were sporadic visits from Adeptus Mechanicus research
teams. These visits were always shrouded in mystery, the mission or intent
of the Tech Priests was never revealed to the inhabitants. Indeed the only
contact the settlers had with the Mechanicus came when the priests came in
search of laborers to aid in their work. Those chosen rarely returned, and
those that returned told tales of buried cities that few among the settlers
believed.
This custom endured for generations before strange events heralded the end
of life on Itoh VI. A Mechanicus survey team arrived and as usual enlisted
the aid of the native populous. After a brief period several of the natives
returned to their settlements in a state of wild panic claiming that the priests
had uncovered something dangerous in the ruins and had fled in terror. Those
that returned soon fell ill with a mysterious plague that changed their bodies
in horrifying ways. Cruel blades burst from their wasting bodies and mindlessly
the victims set upon their former kin. At this point all contact with Itoh
VI ceased.
It is possible that the tale of Itoh VI would have ended there had recent events
not brought attention to it again. The crusade of Marshal Titus has pursued
a Necron fleet that ambushed an Imperial supply convey to this world. It is
unknown whether the Necrons have any involvement in the history of this world
but the truth may be revealed as the righteous Templars pursue the Xenos across
this desolate rock.
When playing battles in the Itoh VI battle
zone you may opt to use the following special rules if
both players agree. These rules are intended to add a measure
of campaign flavour to your games of Warhammer 40,000.
Techno-Zombies!
It has been many years since
the Adeptus Mechanicus accidentally released the changing
plague
upon the unfortunate people
of Itoh VI but the danger has not yet passed. The plague
itself does not seem to kill its host but instead reduce
it to a deranged feral state. The horribly misshapen decedents
of Itoh VI’s populace still walk the sands to this
day. Reduced to a state of savagery that cannot even be
fathomed as human, these creatures prey on any and all
that cross their path. It is a cruel irony that these beasts
have proven to be hardier survivors than the unfortunates
they are descended from.
Before the beginning of the game both players must agree
for their battle to fall victim to a Techno-Zombie attack.
The Techno-Zombies begin the game in reserves and both
players roll during their turn to see if the creatures
arrive. When the Techno-Zombies arrive the player that
rolled for them may deep strike them anywhere onto the
table (the Zombies burst forth from the sands). From that
point forward the Techno-Zombies will move before the start
of each Game turn (a game turn consists of both players
turns). The Techo-Zombies will always move as fast as they
can towards the nearest models and attempt to engage them
with all means available to them. The Techno-Zombies are
fearless and will fight until they are all killed (again).
Full rules for Techo-Zombies can be found later in this
issue. |
