The Sons of Minos in Deathwatch

[The following information is to be used in conjunction with playing a Space Marine character in the Deathwatch role-playing game that hails from the Sons of Minos chapter.]

Chapter Characteristic Modifiers: The Sons of Minos Gene-seed favors strength and cunning. Space Marines of this chapter gain +5 Perception and +5 Strength.

Oversensitive Occulobe. The Space Marine can see in total darkness as if it were only lowlight conditions and can see in lowlight conditions as if it were full light. However, if he removes his helmet in full light conditions he will suffer a -10 to all Awareness tests. Each Sons of Minos has unnerving, glowing red eyes due to this defect.

Specialty Restrictions: Due to the chapter’s divergent codex adherence, characters are unable to fill the specialty role of Devastator Marine within the ranks of the Deathwatch.

Solo Mode Ability: Adaptable Reaction. The Sons of Minos are masters of flexibility in planning and their ability to completely change their tactics in the middle of a course of action is unparalleled. While in Solo-mode, the Battle-Brother is considered to have the Lightning Reflexes Talent. At Rank 3, the Battle-Brother receives a +10 to all Dodge checks. At Rank 5, the Battle-Brother is considered to have the Rapid Reaction Talent. At Rank 7, once per game session, the Battle-Brother may automatically pass one Agility-based test (for opposed tests the Battle-Brother is assumed to have rolled 01).

Squad Mode Attack Pattern: Tactical Finesse. Action: Full Action, Cost: 3, Sustained: Yes. While this ability is in effect, the Battle-Brother and those within Support Range of him may make one melee or ranged attack as a Half Action (the ranged attack may only be made using the single shot rate of fire) and may then make a Half Move. A character benefiting from this ability may disengage from an opponent in melee without penalty.

Squad Mode Defense Pattern: Swift Advance. Action: Reaction, Cost: 2, Sustained: Yes. Members of the Sons of Minos have the skill and training necessary to move quickly through even the most punishing onslaughts of gunfire. While this ability is active, the Battle-Brother and any within Support Range who successfully dodge a Ranged Attack may spend their Reaction to make a Full Move. At Rank 4, they may also reload one weapon provided it does not take more than a Half or Full action to do so.

Chapter cult. A Battle-Brother serving in the Deathwatch has to conceal the worst excesses of his chapter’s cult even from his most trusted and closest members of his Kill-Team.

Chapter Past: Your character was already an experienced Space Marine before they signed on with the Deathwatch. To represent this, simply roll on the following past events table to see what role it was you played above and beyond the regular call of duty within your chapter service history. These can provide solid role-playing hooks to possibly be used in game when the situation arises.

Sons of Minos Pasts
1d5 result	Past Experiences
1	Cleansing of Hive Ruin Artemis Spire. Wasteland mutants infested a ruined hive city turning a large portion of it into a dark labyrinth dedicated to the ruinous chaos powers. You were part of a company detachment sent in to eliminate the threat before it grew any worse. The action took many hard fought months in tight quarters earning you and your fellow survivors experience in both dense urban terrain and combating mutant cultists.
2	Assisted Rogue Trader Fleet Pelion. While returning from campaign in the Ghoul Star Region, you and your company answered a request for aid alongside a Rogue Trader fleet against Dark Eldar Pirates. Your arrival helped turn the tide of the space battle earning you experience against the Dark Eldar and the favor of a noble Rogue Trader.
3	Tenth Company Veteran. Unlike other chapters, the tenth scout company of the Sons of Minos is comprised of veteran volunteers. You are one such veteran, having served with distinction as a Scout on many vital missions using everything from sniper rifle to shotgun to the scout bike.
4	Thunderhawk Gunner. You have seen more than a fair share of action as the door gunner on a mighty Thunderhawk transport. Countless times your flying squadrons have been the tip of the spear in large-scale combat maneuvers.
5	Mist-Watcher. You have stood guard against daemonic intrusion while chapter librarians conducted dangerous scrying rituals into the Warp to locate signs of lost chapter hero and primarch Cthonius. You have born witness to the horrors of the Warp firsthand as well as seen tantalizing clues that could be interpreted as a hint to Cthonius’ eventual return.

Chapter Trappings: The Sons of Minos maintain a fairly standard demeanor in their outward appearance when joining the Deathwatch, however there are some notable differences.

Robes. Hooded robes are a common sight amongst the chapter and it is not uncommon for Battle-Brothers within the ranks of the Deathwatch to carry these items over with them. The subtle differences each different type of robe may incur on its wearer is lost on those not hailing from the chapter itself. Regardless of the type of robe worn, all hoods will negate the Space Marine’s hypersensitivity to full light conditions as a result of their defective Occulobe.

• Robes of the Wise: Choose one Scholastic Lore and add +3 to all Tests on it.
• Robes of the Abyss: Choose one Forbidden Lore and add +3 to all Tests on it.
• Robes of the Seeing Eye: Add +3 to all Awareness Tests.
• Hood of Dusk: Cancel negative effects of Oversensitive Occulobe.

Trophy Pelt. The surviving fauna of Draconis Prime has evolved to become deadly predators and hunters in their own right. Unarmed hunting practices amongst the Battle-Brothers of the chapter exist to this day and successful hunts are a source of pride and respect for those who succeed. Pelts and other grisly trophies are often worn thereafter by the Battle-Brother in question. Add +2 to Intimidate Tests.

Chapter Relics: There are many such chapter relics unique to the Sons of Minos and held in reverence by those within the chapter. Most of these relics take their places of honor within the mighty Fortress-Monasteries of the chapter, many others however still find their way into the capable hands of a Battle-Brother on the field of battle.

The first of these relics is the Scythe of Yidhra, a uniquely charged power weapon in the form of a large, sweeping scythe. A faint, ghostly whine emanates from its core and those death throes of the souls it takes in battle seem to linger long after their physical forms cease to function. The blade itself glows with an almost translucent sheen and it seems almost to pass through an opponent’s armor to rend the flesh unimpeded beneath.

A second such relic is a venerable sniper rifle known simply as Nightfall. The annals of those who have born Nightfall are long indeed and every name on the list are those Battle-Brothers who have been marked by greatness at one point or another in their chapter career. Most recently Scout Sergeant Tanais, while on campaign in the Vorvadoss Reach, utilized Nightfall with unerring effect against the Ork hordes.

Sons of Minos Chapter Advances:

Advance	Cost	Type	Prerequisites
Awareness	200	Skill
Awareness +10	200	Skill	Awareness
Awareness +20	200	Skill	Awareness +10
Concealment	300	Skill
Concealment +10	300	Skill	Concealment
Concealment +20	300	Skill	Concealment +10
Bolter Drill	1000	Talent	Adeptus Astartes, Weapon Training
Hatred (Eldar)	400	Talent
Exotic Weapon Training (any)	400	Talent
Hip Shooting	400	Talent	BS 40, AG 40

Battle Cry: “Until Cthonius returns!”