The Advent Short Stories 2014!

15000 Views 92 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Words_of_Truth, Dec 30, 2014

forkmaster

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2014 (Edited)

I posted these last years so I have no problem forfilling it this year as well.

Main-area for the digital products.

Day 1: The Horus Heresy: The Final Compliance of Sixty-Three Fourteen

The Story:
As Horus grinds the Imperium beneath his boot, emissaries from the XVIth Legion return to worlds sworn to the Warmaster during the Great Crusade to have them renew their fealty. With the Sons of Horus already at battle readiness over Sixty-Three Fourteen, a grim decision must be made...

Read it because...
Witness the brutal methods of re-conquest enacted by the Warmaster and the Traitor Legions as the war for humanity wages on. This Quick Read is a fascinating look at the changes the war has wrought in Horus and the way he is viewed by the Imperium’s defenders.

Well I'm happy that they went out with a HH-related story but I don't know. It doesn't scream "Buy me!" Might be good, but its not that appealing. Anyone who has bought it?

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21 - 40 of 93 Posts

The Scion of Chemos

· #21 · Dec 8, 2014

I loved day 1. The short story was great. Very atmospheric, but then I am easily pleased :grin:
Day 2 was alright, definitely worth reading IMO, but I don't like the micro shorts too much.
Haven't read any others lol

forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #22 · Dec 8, 2014

Day 5: Blood Angels shorts.

The Chalice.

The Story:
Captain Laurentis leads the Eighth Company of the Blood Angels into battle against a horde of daemons to retrieve a vital artefact. And back on Baal, a Sanguinary Priest awaits Laurentis’s return. What sacrifices will be necessary for both to complete their missions?
Read it because:
A great mix: action, as the Blood Angels take on a Daemon Army, and ritual, with a deeper look into the mysterious blood rites of the Chapter.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #23 · Dec 8, 2014

The Story:
Brother Helias of the Blood Angels, newly ascended to the Second Company, faces harsh trials as he faces traitorous Chaos Space Marines and the darkness that lurks within his own soul. Can he defeat the enemy without and the enemy within, or will he be consumed by the twin curses of his bloodline?
Read it because:
This book shines light on the twin battle that all Blood Angels must fight - one against the foes of man, and a far more dangerous one against their own inner darkness.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #24 · Dec 8, 2014

Reflection in Blood.

The Story:
A squad of Blood Angels, commanded by Brother-Sergeant Rafen, face off against a group of Space Marines from the Knights of Blood, sons of Sanguinius declared renegade by the Imperium. The traitors offer a gift to their parent Chapter, but can the Blood Angels trust anything that they provide?
Read it because:
The Blood Angels face former brothers, declared heretics. Is this a glimpse at the fate of all sons of Sanguinius?

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #25 · Dec 8, 2014

Blood of Sanguinius.

The Story:
Blood Angels Brother Kravin, grievously injured in battle with a monstrous enemy, fights to return to his battle-brothers before his body fails. Pushing his transhuman form to its very limits, Kravin knows that he must return what he carries to the Chapter – he cannot die until he delivers his legacy.
Read it because:
Even the mighty Angels of the emperor can fall. In this short story, we witness the dogged tenacity of the Blood Angels.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #26 · Dec 8, 2014

Honour and Wrath.

The Story:
Long ago, the Blood Angels fell upon the world of Laudamus, crushing the invasion of the renegade Flawless Host. Now, history repeats as the Chaos Space Marines once again hold Laudamus in their grip, and the sons of Sanguinius arrive to reclaim the world in the name of the Emperor.
Read it because:
A classic match up: Blood Angels against Chaos Space Marines. Witness the Sons of Baal in battle with the devotees of Slaanesh.

This one actually interested me but that's mostly cause I'm a Slaaneshy devotee.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #27 · Dec 8, 2014

The Story:
Captain Froer of the Astra Militarum and his men receive a new ally in their attempts to push into enemy territory – a Space Marine of the Blood Angels Chapter. But as Brother Gammarael wages war with a monstrous foe, Froer gets a glimpse of the eternal darkness that lurks at the heart of the sons of the Angel.
Read it because
See the Blood Angels in battle against a truly formidable adversary, and get a glimpse into the darkness that hides behind their noble countenance.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #28 · Dec 8, 2014

Day 5: First Blood: an Altar of War Selection Pack.

War Across the Galaxy!
Upon the blazing battlefields of the 41st Millennium, warriors fight in a thousand types of brutal battle. Whether eradicating the enemy command structure, launching headlong attacks upon surprised foes, or striking the killing blow that will end the war in one fell swoop, commanders must be ready for any eventuality.
Altar of War Missions:
This product contains a selection of the missions available in the Altar of War Compendium. Including such battles as the Space Marines' Angels of Death scenario and the horrifying Tyranid Infestation, this selection pack provides missions for many of the galaxy's warring races.

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venomlust

· #29 · Dec 8, 2014 (Edited)

forkmaster said:
Comments are hugely welcome here so people can hear what they think about the stories. I was thinking about getting it, so can you give a spoiler-summary on the plot what is happening in it (the World Eater-stuff then I mean).

And weird that they kill off Kranon as he is the front-guy for Chaos at the moment.

Sure.

SPOILAS: There is a briefly mentioned large-scale naval/void battle above a planet. The World Eaters find themselves aboard an Ultramarines frigate that is in the process of crashing down into the atmosphere of the planet. The leader of the World Eaters warband was killed by a lucky shot from the Ultramarines that destroyed the bridge of their own frigate. This leader was something of a shepherd and hero to his "slaughter-brothers" (I kinda like that term, not gonna lie) who could keep tactical/strategic/leadership stuff in perspective despite the butcher's nails, and they're really pissed that he went out like a punk instead of like the ancient warrior and badass that he was. So his surviving buddies decide that they're going to make sure the Ultramarines frigate crashes into the planet to reap ~20,000 skulls or so in the name of their dead friend. The narrator kills a couple of Ultramarines and then it ends.

I think the coolest part of the story is when the narrator beats an Ultramarine to death by smashing his face in with the skull of his dead friend, which was "warp-hardened" (lawl) so as to provide a way of smashing through power armor and not seeming like complete nonsense. It breaks apart in the process, and the narrator would have felt something akin to sadness if the butcher's nails didn't give him bloodshed myopia.

@Nordicus you're right about Kranon, that makes a lot of sense. You definitely can't trust the voices... can you?

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Lord of the Night

· #30 · Dec 8, 2014

If you look at the Advent Calender main page it actually already confirms what each story is about, at least the faction that it is about. From today;

Day 9 - Flesh Tearers
Day 10 - Death Guard (HH)
Day 11 - Inquisition
Day 12 - Tau
Day 13 - Necrons
Day 14 - Imperial Fists
Day 15 - Thousand Sons
Day 16 - Marines Malevolent
Day 17 - Mechanicus
Day 18 - Blood Angels
Day 19 - Dark Angels
Day 20 - Imperial Fists
Day 21 - Raven Guard
Day 22 - White Scars
Day 23 - Gaunt's Ghosts
Day 24 - Inquisition
Day 25 - World Eaters

Just a theory here, but according to the blog entry that was made a week or so ago, the 25th release will be a full novel. Now this calendar could only chart short stories, and that would mean that a short story and a novel will be released on Christmas Day. But I think that the calendar is telling us that the novel is a World Eaters novel, and on top of that the blog entry said that the novel was focused on a character from the 40k universe that we all know...

A Kharn novel perhaps?? I truly truly hope so. :biggrin:

LotN

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venomlust

· #31 · Dec 8, 2014

Lord of the Night said:
A Kharn novel perhaps?? I truly truly hope so. :biggrin:

LotN

From your lips to Khorne's ears.

Nordicus

· #32 · Dec 8, 2014

venomlust said:
You definitely can't trust the voices... can you?

If they say yes, go with no. If they go no, run.

Vaz

· #33 · Dec 8, 2014

Plot twist; nick kyme wrote the novella and it was edited by goto.

venomlust

· #34 · Dec 9, 2014

forkmaster said:
Day 5: First Blood: an Altar of War Selection Pack.

War Across the Galaxy!
Upon the blazing battlefields of the 41st Millennium, warriors fight in a thousand types of brutal battle. Whether eradicating the enemy command structure, launching headlong attacks upon surprised foes, or striking the killing blow that will end the war in one fell swoop, commanders must be ready for any eventuality.
Altar of War Missions:
This product contains a selection of the missions available in the Altar of War Compendium. Including such battles as the Space Marines' Angels of Death scenario and the horrifying Tyranid Infestation, this selection pack provides missions for many of the galaxy's warring races.

I emailed Black Library to ask exactly how many missions are in this thing, and they (perhaps unsurprisingly?) did not send a reply. Fuckin' shady, GDubs.

I'm sure there is no possible way they are simply too busy right now and haven't had a chance to answer me yet. NO WAI!

forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #35 · Dec 9, 2014

Lord of the Night said:
If you look at the Advent Calender main page it actually already confirms what each story is about, at least the faction that it is about. From today;

Day 15 - Thousand Sons
Day 25 - World Eaters

Just a theory here, but according to the blog entry that was made a week or so ago, the 25th release will be a full novel. Now this calendar could only chart short stories, and that would mean that a short story and a novel will be released on Christmas Day. But I think that the calendar is telling us that the novel is a World Eaters novel, and on top of that the blog entry said that the novel was focused on a character from the 40k universe that we all know...

A Kharn novel perhaps?? I truly truly hope so. :biggrin:

That sounds like a fair and good guess. Hopefully it is. :grin: Also the Thousand Sons I also believe is John French short story which he mentioned a while back which most probably takes place prior to Sorcerer.

forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #36 · Dec 9, 2014

Day 9: A Son's Burden.

The Story:
The Blood Angels call for aid, and the Flesh Tearers answer, but Gabriel Seth’s warriors are already engaged in battle against traitorous cultists on the dark world of Nekkaris. As Seth and Chaplain Appollus prepare to leave for the Cryptus system, Sergeant Eschiros and his Scout squad fight behind enemy lines, unaware of the almighty sacrifice they may soon have to make...
Read it because:
The Flesh Tearers are thought of as savage butchers (and there's a bit of that in this book, admittedly) , but this story reveals a deep loyalty and nobility hidden beneath the mask of rage - a link back to their origins on ancient Baal.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #37 · Dec 9, 2014

Day 9: Echoes of War: Flesh Tearers - A Son's Burden.

Death in the Darkness:
Upon the night world of Nekkaris, a small band of Flesh Tearers fights to destroy the traitor artillery that threatens their brothers. Should they be detected by the renegade sentries then their lives will surely be forfeit. Yet the Flesh Tearers press on regardless, for they will do their duty no matter the cost.
Black Library tie-in mission
To accompany the Black Library short story A Son's Burden, this Warhammer 40,000 Echoes of War mission allows you to refight the tense attack by the Flesh Tearers' Scout force upon the renegades' artillery batteries.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #38 · Dec 10, 2014

Day 10: Horus Heresy - Vorax.

The Story:
The Ring of Iron encircles Mars like a broken halo, standing as the last contested outpost of the Dark Mechanicum inside the Imperial Fists’ blockade. But those rogue priests and adepts lurking in the depths will soon face a new enemy, and the hunters shall become the prey...
Read it because
See the Vorax battle hunters in action against the traitors of the Dark Mechanicum. This Quick Read also gives an insight into the war for Mars that rages within the Solar System itself – arguably the second most important battleground of the entire Heresy.

This looks interesting. Somewhat continuation from the Mechanicum-plotline.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #39 · Dec 10, 2014

Day 10: Leviathan Rising - The Collection.

The Great Devourer Comes:
In the Satys System, the onrushing terror of Hive Fleet Leviathan is met by the cold steel and determination of the Catachan Jungle Fighters and the Blood Angels. As the jaws of the Leviathan inexorably clamp down, the forces of the Imperium fight furiously to rescue what they can from annihilation. This Dataslate trilogy is a prequel to the events of the Shield of Baal campaign. Discover the fate of the first worlds to find themselves in the path of Hive Fleet Leviathan's latest offensive, refight the brutal battles for the Satys System and add over a dozen new formations to your tyranid force.
Three Products in One!
This product comprises all three of the Rising Leviathan Dataslates, compiled together as a single great value eBook – an invaluable tome for any tyranid collector.

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forkmaster

Discussion Starter · #40 · Dec 11, 2014

Day 11: Last Step Backwards.

The Story:
As the dread forces of the Chaos-worshipping Anckorites spread from world to world, Cadian Shock Troop Whiteshields – new troopers tasting battle for the first time – are all that stand between the enemy and utter destruction. But when the famed general Ursakar E Creed enacts a dangerous battle plan to outmanoeuvre the foe, there may just be hope for survival, or even victory.
Read it because:
The first Black Library story to feature the famed Cadian hero Ursakar E. Creed. See him in action doing what he does best – outwitting the foul forces of Chaos with tactical cunning and Cadian determination.

Find it weird he hasn't been written about until now, but could be an interesting story.

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21 - 40 of 93 Posts

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