Deathwatch: GMing in about two weeks

For a couple months now, I've been following the development of Deathwatch, a 40k tabletop role-playing game by Fantasy Flight Games (FFG). At the end of June, FFG released a free introductory adventure for people to download and play. After a couple of weeks of enjoying sessions of Dungeons & Dragons as a player, I've decided that I want to be the Game Master (or Dungeon Master, if you prefer) for Deathwatch. I finally talked my brother and three friends into playing since we all play tabletop Warhammer 40k anyway. To get them fired up, I sent them the following facebook message last night...




"++++++++ Transmission Begins ++++++++

After many years of exemplary service within your own Chapter, you have been selected to join of the most unique and specialized groups of Space Marines – the Deathwatch. Only exceptional candidates from the fighting forces of the Adeptus Astartes are invited to join the mysterious Deathwatch and take on a new oath to safeguard the Imperium from the darkest of threats. You are called into service to hunt down and destroy hostile xenos forces, to seek out and crush the root of heresy and sedition, and to continually fight against the foul daemon menace that crawls forth hungrily from beyond the Warp. You are at the forefront of Mankind’s war for survival against an extremely hostile universe.

During your missions for the Deathwatch, you and your fellow Space Marines will earn renown, advance in experience and prestige, and garner special wargear only entrusted to the most honored and trustworthy battle-brothers.

Along with the other members, you will form a Kill-team of Deathwatch Space Marines – but the challenges you face are not all external. Since you have been recruited from separate a Space Marine Chapter, your fellow Space Marines may have wildly differing traditions, beliefs, experiences and backgrounds than yours. You must learn to put aside your differences and work with Space Marines who may be strangers or even rivals in order to succeed in the most extraordinary of missions – or face the threat of total annihilation when confronted by implacable alien foes.

Should you accept this honor and respond to this transmission, I will send you a codex (game rules) that will brief you on your duties and how things are run here in the Deathwatch. I will also send an escort craft to pick you up, and should the Warp be willing, you will arrive here in two weeks (be prepared to play in two weeks, the week of July 18th). Accepting this honor comes with the responsibility of showing up to a mission (play session) once a week (to be decided, pending on people’s schedules). Be prepared for Missions to last about 3-4 hours.

Over and out.

++++++++ Transmission Ends ++++++++"

As each one responded, I then sent them the following message...

"Welcome to the Deathwatch, Battle Brother! A Deathwatch Codex (game rules) has been sent to your communications terminal (email). An escort ship has also been dispatched to pick you up and bring you here to our cruiser, The Valiant (not really)."

The email read...

"Greetings Initiate -

At long last, the time has come to walk a new path and fulfill your destiny. After years of successful, unfailing service in the name of your Chapter, your Primarch, and the Emperor - your exploits and successes have revealed you to be a most worthy candidate. Now that the oath has been spoken and the ritual painting of your power Armour is complete, it is time to assume the mantle of service beyond the concerns of your single Chapter, and unlike any you have ever known.
Welcome to the Deathwatch!

Download the PDF file, and have it read by July 18th. Also, email me back with which pre-generated character you have selected to play as. If you have any questions, just email me, and I'll be more than happy to answer them."

Over the next week, I'll be reading the rules and getting things ready for play. Unlike my D&D sessions online, I'm going to host Deathwatch at my house. So it should prove to be a lot of fun, as I have some interesting ideas for various objects and mood setting. I can't tell you them just yet, as the players read this blog too, but I will post them up after the session is over :)