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I am trying to come up with as broad a campaign as possible so that my players could be anything they wanted, and face against Humans/Mutants/Xenos. I'm doing this primarily so that I can attract as many players as possible, and be able to use Dark Heresy/Death Watch/Only War books. What I've been able to come up with so far is that a a group of about a dozen or so planets of varying types have gone traitor/been conquered by the Tau. There was a brief, but bloodier than usual struggle for the system, but the Imperium had to pull out. Leaving behind a few different regiments, Inquisitors, and maybe even some Death Watch The players would be living in a Tau occupied system. With roughly 2/3 of the population against the Tau in some form, while 1/3 (the higher ups that sold out to the Tau) are working with/supporting them. While players would try to wage a guerrilla war. Which brings me to the point of this.

How would the Tau/some of their other races react to the insurgents? I mean every other race wouldn't have even bothered to leave anyone left alive.But with that being said I don't think that the Tau would look kindly on resistance to the Greater Good. But, if they push to hard they might have a total uprising on their hands. Any advice would be appreciated. Also where could I find some stats for Tau? Any general recommendations for my campaign would be appreciated.


And yes I got the Idea for this from a short story in "Fear the Alien"

First things first, I've not been in on any of the RPG / DH / DW stuff so my knowledge would be limited in how to asnwer this question, though here's some thoughts that may or may not help...

Secondly, can you confirm - are you wanting your players to play as Tau, or against Tau, or a mix? It doesn't seem all that clear to me.

My thoughts:

- I can imagine the Tau not acting overly aggressively to a small force, content to watch and learn from a distance

- However, I can also see them trying to capture people alive, not to make slaves out of them, but to try to convert them to the greater good. This could be done through persuasion or (if you have sadistic Tau) control through drugs

- If you're playing this as an RPG, I can imagine having control of a kroot AND a firewarrior would be cool (whilst classing them as 1 character somehow). They'd be vastly different stylistically, and if something happens to one then the other gets stuck in immediately making it easier to share out wounds on them

I'll get back to you if I can think of anything else, in the mean time I hope this helps in some way...?

kitch102 wrote:First things first, I've not been in on any of the RPG / DH / DW stuff so my knowledge would be limited in how to asnwer this question, though here's some thoughts that may or may not help...

Secondly, can you confirm - are you wanting your players to play as Tau, or against Tau, or a mix? It doesn't seem all that clear to me.

My thoughts:

- I can imagine the Tau not acting overly aggressively to a small force, content to watch and learn from a distance

- However, I can also see them trying to capture people alive, not to make slaves out of them, but to try to convert them to the greater good. This could be done through persuasion or (if you have sadistic Tau) control through drugs

- If you're playing this as an RPG, I can imagine having control of a kroot AND a firewarrior would be cool (whilst classing them as 1 character somehow). They'd be vastly different stylistically, and if something happens to one then the other gets stuck in immediately making it easier to share out wounds on them

I'll get back to you if I can think of anything else, in the mean time I hope this helps in some way...?

That is up to my players, but knowing them they would fight against the Tau. Also they can only be human/abhuman/Marines in my game for simplicity/lore sake.

Please don't make duplicate threads.

Okay based off what I've read here, and working out for myself. Ideas I have campaign. Anyone of you guys want to use for one of your games you can.

The Setting:

Chulak: The main planet of the campaign (if you get the reference you win 10 Internets)

Gravity: Normal

Size: Same as Earth

Climate/terrain: A temperate world mostly covered by forests. With many mountain ranges all over the planet.(Think Pacific North West)

Population: 2.5 Billion. There are several main cities scatter throughout the world, Non of which are bigger than New York City. The farmers of Chulak tend to rugged, individualistic, and self supporting. They have some tech available tractors, fertilizer, etc., but nothing fancy. While those that live in the city are your typical hive dwellers.

Why is it important: Chulak is one of the 3 unique planets in the sector. This is because it isn't solely a Factory world, Farm world, or hive world. Its a bit of all three. There are two reasons main reasons. It's one of the key farm worlds of the sector if that is lost many planets would starve. But, what keeps it from being a pure farm world is that there are several mines (about a 15) located all around the planet. Not for from these mines are manufacturing plants/cities. From these factories come many different kinds of weapons/supplies used by the Imperium, which is also how it pays its tithe. Its key importance also means that an exterminatus is mostly likely never going to be used on the planet.

Background: There has been some talk of Xenos influence on these planets The Imperium know that Tau territory isn't far off and how important the planets are is more pro active then usual. Sending a few Guard regiments as show of force to the locals.

Why the party is really there: The Tau start with a startlingly fast attack. Quickly overrunning sector, and sending the Imperium forces running. For the most part (there are other stranglers forming resistance bands as well) the regiments are wiped out/captured, and the party is on its own. They must fight a guerrilla campaign against the Tau/their allied races/Human traitors. Without the bulk of the Imperium to back them up. But, there is hope with. While there are obviously human traitors on the planet (1/3 of the population is for the Tau). There is also a large section of it that is still loyal to the Imperium for one reason or another. So they do have some part of the civil population willing to help them (whether it be spying, supplying, or fighting). Also the Imperium knows that there are some loyal citizens still on the planet, and when they can they will deep strike them vital supplies. After that It is up to the party to help liberate the world from the Tau. By an means the players find fit.

Enemies:

As the insurgency grows, the party will start getting better and more equipment/fighters. But the more damage they do the attention from the Tau they attract. As the Tau see them as bigger and bigger threat, they are willing to commit more resources to deal with them. Just further grows as the conflict escalates.

-Gue'vesa: I am thinking of setting it up so that the party will first test themselves against humans fighting for the Tau. They will have just your basic guardsmen level equipment at the start. But the Tau sympathizer will get better stuff as the campaign goes on.

-Kroot: Once the party makes enough of a dent to the Tau. They start to get annoyed. They send some Kroot hunting teams after them. Ambushing them from the forests.

-New Xenos: I was thinking of making up some Xenos species that would either be a part of the Tau, or just mercs for them.

-Abhumans: Many abhumans are fighting alongside the Tau, as a way to get back at the Imperium

-Fire Warriors: They are now pissed off they start sending patrols of fire warriors after them. They start bringing stuff like devil fish and stealth suits to fight them. It just snowballs as the fighting continues.


Mission/Encounter ideas

The party hears from their sources that there is a munitions dump with valuable supplies that was left when the Guard forces retreated. It is actually a trap, with Fire Warriors ambush at the dump.
They get an offer from a local crime lord. Do some favors/trade with me, and I can get you supplies/Intel. While at the meeting, the place gets raided.
They get chance to kill or capture a Tau Ethral.

Starting Encounter

The party would start in an old abandoned farm house. They are a ragtag group of people that are seeking shelter from the Tau's attack. I could use this as way to explain why there would be Dark Heresy players, and guardsmen from different regiments working together. I would give them some time to catch their breath, get situated, search the area, and introduce themselves to each other. Then one of the Guardsmen's vox caster they here that there is a reorganization point in some nearby caves not far off. As they head that way they come across an under strength squad (15 men) of Gue'vesa, and a Kroot fireteam (4 kroot) busy eating. An easy ambush if the the squad decides too. They can chose to ambush, avoid, or do whatever. They eventually get to the cave where they find there dead comrades. As it appears that the Gue'vesa/Kroot attacked, killed, butchered (guess what the kroot were eating). There still is a lot of supplies in the cave/among Gue'vesa/Kroot. After they are dune they get other transmission from the higher command. To all remaining guardsmen and loyal citizens. Fight against the invaders/traitors, by any means. Will will return. End of the mission/campaign.

Don't think "The Greater Good" wouldn't preclude the Tau from rounding up undesirables, lining them up against a wall and putting pulse blasts in their heads. The Tau strive for dominance, just like every other race. They'll depopulate an entire planet if they have to. Also, and this is just opinion and ideas, spend the initial portion of the campaign keeping your PC's on the back foot. The Tau are attacking. The Tau are rooting out resistance. The Tau are running them to ground. Pound and harry them until their wits end and then dangle any hope of an insurgency in front of them. Do it in such a way that they don't trust it. Is it real? Is it a Tau trap? Make the Tau complete bastards, but then make a few Tau that seem to be different. Still true believers in the greater good, but that disagree with the means.

robertsjf wrote:Don't think "The Greater Good" wouldn't preclude the Tau from rounding up undesirables, lining them up against a wall and putting pulse blasts in their heads. The Tau strive for dominance, just like every other race. They'll depopulate an entire planet if they have to. Also, and this is just opinion and ideas, spend the initial portion of the campaign keeping your PC's on the back foot. The Tau are attacking. The Tau are rooting out resistance. The Tau are running them to ground. Pound and harry them until their wits end and then dangle any hope of an insurgency in front of them. Do it in such a way that they don't trust it. Is it real? Is it a Tau trap? Make the Tau complete bastards, but then make a few Tau that seem to be different. Still true believers in the greater good, but that disagree with the means.

I was thinking of doing gak like that too. For every Tau killed X civilians die. I could use it as a way to alienate the civil population from them, or to help bolster the fighters numbers. Due to fact that more people will disillusioned with the greater good. As for keeping them on the back foot. I was going to make it so that they have to be careful who to trust. Would the guy sell them out to the Tau, is it just an ambush, etc.