153. Seize the Cache
RAW ✔️ Apocrypha Necromunda: The Coveted Cache (2024), p10
"This is my prize. Mine. And if the others so much as look at it funny, they won't be looking at nothing ever again."
- Braun 'The Fist', Shipyard Kings, House Goliath
In this scenario, two gangs compete to claim an extremely powerful weapon from an ancient cache of treasure – but they must first bend it to their will.
Battle Type
This scenario is an Underhive battle; vehicles and Wargear that grant the Mounted condition may not be included in either gang's starting crew.
Battlefield
This scenario uses the standard rules for setting up a battlefield, as described in the Battlefield Set-up & Scenarios section of the Necromunda Core Rulebook.
Crews
This scenario uses the standard rules for choosing a crew, as described in the Battlefield Set-up & Scenarios section of the Necromunda Core Rulebook. Both gangs use the Custom Selection (D3+7) method to determine their crew.
Deployment
This scenario uses the standard rules for deployment as described in the Battlefield Set-up & Scenarios section of the Necromunda Core Rulebook.
Gang Tactics
This scenario uses the standard rules for gang tactics as described in the Battlefield Set-up & Scenarios section of the Necromunda Core Rulebook.
Ending the Battle
If a fighter equipped with a Whispering Weapon looted during this scenario successfully leaves the battlefield, the battle concludes at the end of the round. Otherwise, if either gang has no fighters left on the battlefield at the end of any round, the battle ends immediately.
Securing the Prize
During this scenario, a fighter carrying a Whispering Weapon automatically passes any Cool tests they are required to take. Instead, if a fighter equipped with a Whispering Weapon looted during this scenario is within 3" of a battlefield edge, they may perform an Abscond (Double) action.
Abscond (Double): remove this fighter from the battlefield immediately. They are treated as Out of Action, but retain all loot gained during this scenario and do not suffer any lasting injuries.
Victory
Should a fighter carrying a Whispering Weapon that was looted during this scenario successfully flee the battlefield, their gang claims victory. Should no fighter leave the battlefield with a Whispering Weapon in this way before the battle ends, it is considered a draw.
Rewards
Credits
Both gangs add D6x10 credits to their Stash. If a fighter has recovered a Whispering Weapon, they retain it for the rest of the campaign and follow its affiliated rules.
Experience
Whichever fighter leaves the battlefield equipped with a Whispering Weapon looted during this scenario earns 2XP. Any fighters that successfully recover from the Insane condition during the battle gain 1XP.
Reputation
The victorious gang gains D3 Reputation.
The Prize
A loot casket is set up in the centre of the battlefield, or as close to the centre as possible. Roll a D6 to determine which Whispering Weapon is contained within the loot casket, or have the Arbitrator decide.
| D6 | WEAPON |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gleeful Judgement |
| 2 | The Bloodfingers |
| 3 | Drawn-out Death |
| 4 | The Rage Unending |
| 5 | Scourer of Flesh |
| 6 | The Black Vomitus |
Fight for Control
When a fighter opens the loot casket, instead of rolling on the usual table, they immediately equip the Whispering Weapon as a free action. Any previous weapons are discarded and returned to their gang's stash. The fighter then rolls on the table below:
| D6 | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | Succumbed to Whispers This fighter gains the Insane condition. |
| 2-5 | Barely Contained This fighter must make a Willpower test at the start of each of their activations, whenever there is another fighter within Charge or Fight range. If failed, they must use their activation to perform the Charge (Double) action or the Fight (Basic) action, targeting the nearest fighter, regardless of whether they are friend or foe. If passed, they may activate as normal. |
| 6 | Potent Will this fighter can resist the whispering of the weapon to some degree. they do not need to make any willpower tests to wield this weapon. |
Stolen Treasure
If a fighter takes a rival Out of Action whilst that rival is equipped with a Whispering Weapon, and the fighter was Engaged with that rival, they equip the Whispering Weapon immediately as a free action. Their previous weapons are discarded and added back to their gang's stash.
Fleeing the Battlefield
A gang cannot voluntarily bottle out if one of their fighters is equipped with a Whispering Weapon looted during this scenario. Otherwise, if either gang voluntarily bottles out and subsequently flees the battlefield, their opponent automatically wins the scenario. If the Whispering Weapon has not yet been recovered, their opponent may choose one of their fighters and equip them with the Whispering Weapon immediately.
If a fighter carrying the Whispering Weapon is taken Out of Action by a shooting attack, place a new loot casket containing the weapon within 1" of their last location.
Race to the Armoury
If players wish, they may use this scenario to represent the battle between treasure hunters of House Escher and the defending forces employed by the Mhungan. In order to do this, make the following changes:
- Roll off with the winner deciding whether to attack or defend.
- The defender represents a gang employed by the Mhungan, chosen from any Outcast gang led by an Underhive Outcasts Leader. They gain the Home Turf Advantage as described in the Battlefield Set-up & Scenarios section of the Necromunda Core Rulebook.
- The defender equips their leader with the Bloodfingers, as described in the Whispering Weapons section, before the start of the battle. Their weapons also gain the Reckless trait.
- The attacker is represented by any House Escher gang built using the standard gang creation rules.
- The prize contained within the loot casket is automatically determined to be the Gleeful Judgement, as described in the Whispering Weapons section.