The Black Library wants YOU!

[Truckler]

Attention aspiring writers, the Black Library is having a short story competition. Read all about it here:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/shortstorycompetition/


Truckler
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[softwhisper]

Sweet. time to get to finishing that thing. thanks for the info!

[Caelwyn]

Interesting, thansk for the heads up Truckler. Not to top-notch with 40k terminology etc but it looks like its worth giving a shot.

has anyone got any links i can look at with regards to writing something to meet the criteria of:

[the widowmaker]

Well I just did a quick search on Google (partly because I wasn't entirely sure what a synopsis was ... I knew it was an overview, but I didn't really know the purpose of it) and I found this. It seems quite informative, and the author has been submitting her writing for about 30 years, mainly sci-fi I think. Hope it helps!

I have been thinking about writing a story set in the 40K universe for a while... I have the ideas in my head, but I am not sure my writing abilities are up to it. Maybe I will give it a try though.
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I am the darkness... the darkness inside you all.

[Caelwyn]

Well, i have failed. FAILED! There has been no invitation to write for them. So...

Here is my synopsis:

Pyrus Reach is at war. The Imperial forces under the command of Enoch Helfrich are being pressed hard by Word Bearers led by Valerius. The attack is a distraction from Valerius’ master, Erebus, and his true plan to bring the Daemon World of Lorgar forth from the warp.

Opposed to him stand the Dark Angels, lured under false pretences by the mysterious Inquisitor Santos, and the Eldar. Though the Eldar currently have troubles of their own with an Ork army led by Warlord Gharzulk.

Wars within wars.

* * * * *

The information Inquisitor Santos had provided was simple enough, the Chaos forces planned to raid Yevereach, a settled moon, in order to enslave more Imperial citizens. The data certainly seemed to match; a Chaos ship, ideally suited to raiding, had left Calerous and split from the main battle group in the Caldrus System to head to Yevereach. They would be accompanied by one of the Fallen.

However, Command had been unable to contact Santos subsequently and, although the authorisation codes had been current and of the expected level of authorisation, something did not seem right. Sergeant Enjurion was put in charge of the response group sent to scout the Chaos threat, and verify the accuracy of the information. All did not go as planned. Enjurion’s force was anticipated and a trap set, the Dark Angels were forced to retreat. Left behind is the Neophyte, Cadoc, a Dark Angel.

Marked as a potential recruit Cadoc is forced to endure the temptations and corruption of Chaos. Attacked physically and mentally Cadoc is forced to face truths about himself and his situation, mixed with the lies Chaos feeds off. He is denigrated, his achievements downplayed and his deficiencies emphasised. His captor, Bethredec, is a master at his work.

Captain Bethredec is one of Valerius’ most trusted lieutenants and commands a large force of Chaos Space Marines. His troops have almost entire control of the Caldrus system, the only exception is one Imperial Outpost, 4983/2.

While trapped in this situation Cadoc is contacted by a mysterious Eldar who explains the true plan of Erebus for Valerius’ command, to tie up the imperial forces. Vulnerable and needing to prove his worth Cadoc embarks on a dangerous course. To walk the path of Chaos, making any sacrifices required to appear committed and gain the power necessary to defeat Bethredec.

Willing to risk his life to free up the forces contained by Valerius’ distraction Cadoc doesn’t realise he is risking his soul as well. The Eldar, play the game with only their own survival in mind, though they make just as many sacrifices to ensure this end. Cadoc proves himself to his chaos captors when he is instrumental in turning a defeat into victory and capturing the first level of Outpost 4983/2.

Cadoc is given Chaos power armour in a ritual of death and chaos power. Praised for his ruthlessness and rewarded, he accompanies Bethredec to a war meeting with his lieutenants. Cadoc reveals what he knows of Erebus’ plan, and that there will be no relief. Bethredec is determined to stay loyal, but some of the lieutenants seem less convinced. Witnessing the tensions that run through the command Cadoc is encouraged, he no longer wishes to just kill Bethredec, he wants to lead.

With the deaths of some of their greatest warriors the Eldar lure the Ork forces into attacking the Chaos forces. Cadoc once again proves himself in battle both physically and tactically, and some of Bethredec’s lieutenants defer to him. It is the Chaos forces that defeat the Eldar; so the Orks, robbed of their foe, swear vengeance.

It is at this point Dark Angels arrive. Cadoc is recognised by a scouting group in a skirmish as they retreat to join the main Chaos army and he crushes them mercilessly. There is a confrontation between Cadoc and Bethredec. Bethredec is determined to follow Erebus’ orders, confident he will rescue them, content to die for his lord if Erebus cannot. The rest of the Chaos forces are not so loyal, they want to win, they want to live. Cadoc wants to lead them to victory and escape. The two fight for control of the army.

Wars within wars.
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[Caelwyn]

And here is my writing sample:

Cadoc heaved himself from the mud, his wounds stung but they were healing fast. His armour hung from him in pieces. Neither of those things bothered him, what really pained him was his fate. Left behind. And what awaited him. Stumbling to his feet he grasped the sword tightly, ready for the thrust that was surely coming. Waiting for them to start toying with him again. He was a Dark Angel. He would stand ready.

“Look at the little soldier. Does he still believe they will come back for him if he stays alive? Or perhaps that he can beat me?” The Chaos filth stood a head taller than Cadoc and was clad in full power armour marked with unholy sigils. He was wielding a chainsword, it was with this weapon the unnamed enemy had cut and carved the armour from Cadoc’s body. “They left you little soldier. They do not believe you are worthy. They filled you with false faith, called themselves your brothers and then left you in your so-called enemy’s hands.”

Cadoc screamed with rage, raised the simple metal sword he held in his hand and charged the Chaos Space Marine. The warrior moved with unnatural grace, shifting to the side and aiming a cut at Cadoc’s last remaining leg plate. Cadoc had been expecting this and threw himself into a roll, avoiding the strike and came to his feet in a skid.

“They have a mission. I am unimportant.” Cadoc charged again, swinging a backhand cut at the warrior’s head. The warrior caught the thrust easily with his chainsword. The weapon’s snarling blades almost tearing the sword from Cadoc’s hand. With a lazy slap the warrior easily landed a blow on Cadoc’s chest that sent him flying again.

“By believing you are unimportant, you make yourself so. We are Gods.” Contempt had crept into the warrior’s voice. “I, Bethredec, am a God to these slaves.” He gestured at the captured human slaves being forced into holding pens.

“You are corruption. You are filth.” Cadoc replied, once again hauling his aching body up.

“And yet your so-called brothers left you here. Amongst us filth, to chase others, brothers of theirs that had...” Here he paused, before continuing with even more contempt than before. “...Fallen. While you stay here, to Fall according to what they have told you. Explain this to me little soldier.”

“I am done with your lies Bethredec,” spat Cadoc. “Kill me and be done with this farce.”

Once again Cadoc charged, bringing the sword up in an underarm swing, outside to in, slicing at Bethredec’s unprotected throat. Bethredec stepped into the stroke, catching it on his forearm and backhanded Cadoc to the ground once again.

“We are not done with you, little soldier. Your brothers do not chase Chaos, they do not seek to redeem. They want our power, our strength. The truth of this we will reveal to you.” With that Bethredec kicked Cadoc in the head and unconsciousness claimed him.
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Inquisitor Skirmish and Necromunda House Rules

The Underhive Necromunda Forum

The Specialist Games Forum