Atronos was the setting for the very first Necromunda campaign I ever arbitrated. I invented it to be a sort of “second city” of Necromunda, away in the Southern hemisphere, off the official maps. It was a rival to Hive Primus, with ancient privileges allowing it to skirt many of the restrictions on off world trade through the Eye of Selene. It also was populated with a host of characters and organizations that I had a lot of fun in developing. From the blatantly obvious self-insert character of Magnus to the Machiavellian Dr. Hartleby and an entire pirate radio network, it was a blast. And then I blew it up.
Well, not entirely, but mostly.
At the end of the campaign, which was absurdly overwrought in terms of lore and development on my part, and was thus a great learning experience in how “less is more” when it comes to arbitration and narrative, I had the shadowy organization I invented known as the Cadre Oublie, a splinter of the definitely not-invented-by-me Cognitae (seriously, go read Dan Abnett’s Eisenhorn/Ravenor/Bequin series if you haven’t), connive to have Necromunda’s own PDF reduce Atronos to ruins.
But “ruined” does not mean “gone completely”. Now, I’m not going to try and elevate my silly Necromunda world building efforts to the level of Tuomas Pirinen, but I’ve always felt that there were definitely Mordheim vibes to how I know envisioned this ruined hive city. I’ve always, in the more than four years since we ran that campaign, wanted to revisit it, to explore what had become of this once shining amalgamation of wealth, power, and privilege.
So, for the last few weeks, I’ve been developing lore and rules for the next campaign for our local gaming group. We are “Returning to Atronos”! I’ve been neglectful of this blog for a while now, and there’s a myriad of reasons. I am a federal employee in the US, and without getting into a political discussion, it has been a very trying time over the last 9 months, even before considering every other way this country has been impacted by the surge of fascism we’re experiencing. One way I have been coping with this is to try and focus more on the hobby, and as such, I want to use this adventure we’re embarking upon with this new campaign to be more diligent in making entries here.
I’m hoping that through lore and rule development, as well as building and painting minis, battle reports, photos of games, and all that associated stuff, I can not only keep myself motivated to keep this blog going, but also help inspire others. Or at least provide a little bit of escapism from the *gestures wildly at everything outside* the world. So, to get things started, here’s a short little story I wrote up for my gaming group as an intro to our Return to Atronos, enjoy!
Thought for the day: An ignorant mind is an innocent mind.
+++++++Sec Auth Code: JAT-B7+++++++
+++++++AUTHORIZED+++++++
+++++++Unlocking Data File Atronos-97228-XTC-B/9+++++++
**Personal correspondence, retrieved through routine monitoring of comm-link station Tybalt’s Will-77W. Correspondence deemed to be of a heretical nature and quarantined.*
Dearest Helmira,
I hope this missive finds you well. I know it has been too long since I last wrote, I beg your indulgence, but my sweet sister, I have been occupied with the most wonderous of opportunities. I have been here in Atronos for less than a month, and already I have identified several promising ventures.
Helmira, you would certainly be shocked to see the state of the place. Personally, I have not gone further down than just below the stratoplane docks of the mid-hive, but I have talked with a great many fellow prospectors and explorers, and have heard many reports about those who dwell deeper in the ruins of this once great hive.
I can relate, both from personal experience as well as discussion with a good many adventurers I have deemed to be of a trustworthy character, that the hive walls and outer levels are the safest and most secure. It is there that one finds a multitude of small communities and outposts. Within these I have encountered an eclectic mix of survivors of Atronos’ downfall, and those who have come to this hive of the damned from elsewhere, seeking their own fortune, or to profit from those dreamers who see opportunity in ruin. Much like me eh? I’ll have to watch out!
Deeper in, that is where I am determined to go however. From several independent sources, I have confirmed that the enigmatic Dr. Hartleby is alive, and he is still conducting his work. Think on it Helmira! If I could make contact with that esteemed genius, not only would this venture bring profit to our house, but we could reverse father’s malady, I am certain the good doctor knows the cure. I have seen enough of his work to confirm his intellect is of the highest grade. If anyone can assist us in restoring father, and our house’s position, it is him.
I am off tomorrow at the break of dawn. I have enlisted with a company of adventurers from Nova Actium who seek their own fortunes in the ruined depths of Atronos. I have not revealed my true purpose to them, nor shall I. I shall simply use them as gentle company until I have found where Dr. Hartleby is, and then take my leave. I imagine by this time next week, I will be able to send a communique with good news.
Be strong my little sister, and give father a kiss for me. I hope mother is well. Tell John to mind his tutor.
Affectionately yours, Saul
++++++Remains discovered in suspected heretical cult worship site 15 standard work cycles later believed to be those of Saul D’Tague Von Meteria++++++
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