Scutum, the void habitat constructed within a massive asteroid in the Penitus Balteus asteroid belt, exists as a formidable bastion of knowledge and research in the Koronus Expanse. Owned by the ambitious Chorda dynasty, it serves as a vital hub for the study of xenos remnants discovered within the system, with extended facilities devoted to the scrutiny of both local and extragalactic species.
Within Scutum, sprawling halls and chambers filled with archaic machinery and arcane technology lay the groundwork for the meticulous examination of alien species. These chambers serve as laboratories, where xenoscholars dissect and analyze the alien remnants recovered from the system. The flickering glow of cogitators and the humming of ancient mechanisms echo through the halls, punctuating the somber atmosphere.
The research facilities within Scutum possess specialized equipment suited for the brutal and relentless work of examining and exhuming the xenos. Xeno-archeologists utilize forbidden and esoteric tools, including xenosensor arrays, psychomancers, and vivisections, to decipher the secrets held within the alien remains. These instruments are painstakingly calibrated to protect the operatorsfrom the twisted energies and corrupted essence often associated with the remnants of the alien species.
Scutum’s extensive facilities cater to the study of various alien species encountered within the system and beyond. High-gravity testing chambers simulate the crushing force of xenos home worlds, enabling scientists to assess the physiological adaptations of creatures born in such environments. Vivarium teems with grotesque and exotic flora and fauna, offering xenobiologists a glimpse into the alien ecosystems and the peculiarities of their biological makeup.
Scutum is also a treasure trove of forbidden knowledge, housing ancient tomes, xenos scrolls, and blasphemous artifacts recovered from alien worlds. These archives are zealously guarded by specialists of Chorda dynasty, whose tireless efforts guard the safety and preservation of the invaluable knowledge contained within.
Class: Major asteroid UT-518, rock
Size: Small
Gravity: None, Living areas are installed with Land tiles to provide standard gravity.
Atmosphere: None, Living areas are provided with heat and atmosphere by the life sustainer of the habitat.
Population: 2.500
Resources: Samples of the local xeno race, Xenotech, Forbidden lore (xenos) research,
Anomalies:
Speed: NA
Manoeuvrability: -40
Detection: -2
Armour: Up to strength of a natural barrier. 30
Void Shields: 1
Hull Integrity: Equals space used by installed components
Turret Rating: 0
Weapon Capacity: 1 keel weapon platform
Crew Rate: 40 Population: 100 Morale: 98 Creed: Low
Notable characters
Power output: 60 – Consumption: 37 = +23 Reserve
Space used: 37
Essential components
- Plasma Core Power: +60 Space: 12, Core traits: High Power Output, Constant Maintenance
- Single Void Shield Array Pow: 5 Space: 1
- Exploration HQ, Pow: 4 Space: 2, +5 Detection, Active Augury; Extra Stuff whilst doing Exploration Objectives
- M-1.r Life Sustainer Pow: 4 Space: 2, Increase Morale Losses by 1
- Pressed-population Quarters Pow: 2 Space: 3, Decrease Morale Permanently by 2
- R-50 Auspex Multi-band Pow: 4 Space: 0, External Component, +15 bonus to study Celestial Phenomena, -2 Detection, Extra Stuff whilst doing Exploration Objectives
Supplemental components
- Cargo Hold and Lighter Bay Pow: 1 Space: 2, -3 Manoeuvrability, Extra Stuff whilst doing Trade/Criminal Objectives
- Promenade Pow: 1 Space: 3, +5 to Acquisition checks, See below
- Armored Gate Pow: – Space: 2, +4 Armour,-1d10 to Damage when rammed.
- Fire Suppression System Pow: 2 Space: 4, If Bridge is powered and undamaged, extinguish one fire in a Component -10% Tech-Use; Once per Strategic Turn
- Hydrapuran Jamming System Pow: 4 Space: 0, No Silent Running; -20% Focused Augury Tests against Vessel
- Laboratorium Pow: 2 Space: 1, +20% on Tests to identify, analyze and repair artifacts of Ancient/Xenos origin
- Pharmacia Pow: 1 Space: 2, Synthesise’s Drugs, adequate dosage for the entire crew each day; Extra Stuff whilst doing Trade/Criminal Objectives
- Sensorium Pow: 1 Space: 1, Increase Morale Permanently by 2; +10% Charm & Commerce conducted on the vessel
- Xenos Librarium Pow: 1 Space: 1, Restricted Access, +10% Forbidden Lore, Decrease Morale Permanently by 2
- Vivarium Pow: 1 Space: 1, See below
Hidden part of the habitat:
- Vivisectionist Deck Pow: 1 Space: 1, +20 to Forbidden Lore (Xenos, Mutants) check when studying a xeno specimen.
- Shadowblind Bays, Pow: 3 Space: 4, Extra Stuff whilst doing Trade Objectives, Extra Stuff whilst doing Criminal Objectives (x1.5); -40% Scrutiny to Locate Bays
- Xeno Habitat’s Pow: 2 Space: 1, +10% Charm & Inquiry with Xenos; Decrease Morale Permanently by 2; Extra Stuff whilst doing Non-Hostile Alien Objectives
Timeline
-Void Habitat founded by Chorda Dynasty and has an Imperial mandate to study xeno artifacts and biological samples 798.M41
-Station purged from xeno influence by Judge Mordechai 819.M41. Chorda Dynasty was fined for Imperial expenses of the purge.
Promenade Pow: 1 Space: 3 SP: 1
While ships may function as space-going cities, most do not have a dedicated spaces to foster this function, instead compartmentalising the crew and limiting commerce to barter and black market. A promenade compartment functions as a ship-board “Main Street,” providing formal gathering spaces for crew commerse and interaction. Here privileged crewmembers can supplement their issued rations and gear and interact with others from all over the ship.
One Gelt for the Master…: With some portion of shipboard trade inevitably ending up in the hands of the Rogue Trader, ships equipped with this component provide +25 achievement points to Commercial and Criminal Endeavors.
Did You Hear?: Wagging tongues spreading rumors from all over the ship can be good or ill. The effects of any morale loss or gain are increased by 1.
Vivarium
The transport of rare and exotic alien plants and beasts is a difficult trade, but the profits can be immense if the right xeno-specimen makes its way into the right hands. A vivarium is a series of large vaults with separate life sustainers, capable of simulating almost any planetary vaults and isolating their exotic cargo from the crew. Some Rogue Traders use their vivariums as a sort of living trophy room, containing specimens from hundreds of worlds in their past.
Exotic Beasts: When working towards a Trade or Exploration objective, the players may gain an extra 50 Achievement Points towards completing that objective.
Xeno-Lore: Through the study of xeno-organisms within the vivarium, any Forbidden Lore (Xenos) tests made aboard this ship gain a +10% bonus.
!GM notes!
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 