TEXT:  
   
  INTRODUCTION 
   
  The routes from subject of the Imperium to 
  Inquisitor are many and varied, some are 
  chosen from the ranks of the Schola Prognium, 
  some others were (un) fortunate enough to 
  come to the attention of the inquisition in their 
  way through life. The candidates vary as much 
  as the Inquisitors, from frail old adventurers, to 
  nimble young priests, an Inquisitor can start as 
  any one of the billions of faceless subjects of 
  the Emperor of Mankind. But almost all 
  Inquisitors have one thing in common, they 
  were all once apprentices, they were all once 
  acolytes. 
                It is well known that before becoming 
  an Inquisitor, most potential Inquisitors serve 
  underneath an Inquisitor, or within an 
  Inquisitorial station or institution of some form 
  for some lengthy period of time before they 
  truly earn their Rosette/Inquisitorial Seal (not 
  the pinniped form). Whether this is through 
  extended exceptional service, the death of and 
  inheritance from an Inquisitor or simple 
  appointment; 
  an 
  acolytes’s 
  duties 
  and 
  experiences prior to their ordainment typically 
  hold marked significance in them as an 
  Inquisitor. 
                In many cases an Inquisitor will have 
  served in innumerable roles in service of their 
  mentor or patron, usually ranging from a 
  simple but ever-present dogsbody through to 
  their most trusted aide, advisor and backup. In 
  this article we seek to loosely diversify and 
  describe just some of the many particular or 
  (relatively) 
  well-defined 
  Inquisitor-Acolyte 
  stages. 
   
  ACOLYTE ARCHTYPES 
   
  The Interrogator 
  The position of Interrogator within an 
  Inquisitor’s staff is one of the many archetypal 
  images of an Inquisitor’s Acolyte. More often 
  than not an Interrogator is their Inquisitor’s 
  ‘Right Hand Man’. Trained in a wealth of 
  varied skills from being excruciatingly efficient 
  interrogations to expert combat techniques. 
  Their role is often as varied and as far-reaching 
  as their master’s, with the dedication and 
  inquisitiveness to match them. 
                 Often relegated to the image of a 
  ‘side-kick’, an Interrogator typically still forms 
  a crucial part in the Inquisitor’s staff. 
  Sometimes fulfilling the position of second 
  allows the Interrogator intense exposure to the 
  vast majority of an Inquisitor’s experiences. 
  They are more often than not exceptionally 
  experienced in field techniques and most 
  typically trained as the inheritor of an 
  Inquisitors works due to their extremely close 
  relationship with their Inquisitor.  
                 Though the position itself is primarily 
  one of subservience to the Inquisitor, an 
  Interrogator will often take full responsibility 
  for 
  exactly 
  what 
  their 
  name 
  suggests: 
  interrogations. In this, they are exposed to the 
  vast horrors that their masters encounter first 
  hand, often uncovering the darkness first 
  themselves. It is no surprise then that 
  Interrogators, being so closely tied to their 
  master, will tread the same path as their master 
  to an uncanny degree. Where their master 
  becomes an astute and powerfully established 
  puritan monodominant, it is entirely common 
  in Inquisitorial circles for an Interrogator to 
  end up in a similar, if not the exact same 
  position. The converse of this is that when the 
  master walks the path of heresy, the general 
  lack of extended independence from their 
  master often means they too will walk such a 
  path. 
   
  In terms of rules, equipment, skills and 
  abilities, an Interrogator is first and foremost 
  the Inquisitorial acolyte. To this extent we 
  generally propose that Interrogators and 
  Interrogator-based-Inquisitors are essentially 
  those presented as ‘average’ or ‘general’ for 
  the game. Those presented in the main 
  Inquisitor Rulebook ably cover the basics of 
  Interrogator characters‘ statistics. 
                 When it comes to equipment and 
  abilities, we can easily see a marked 
  departure, or more accurately an addition, 
  onto the original format. Interrogators are 
  highly likely to carry with them extensive 
  interrogation apparatus, from simple pain-
  
   
   
  needles and stimuli-applicators through to an 
  immense array of arcane equipment especially 
  suited to their roles. Pict-recorders and Arco-
  stylus Servo-skulls are quite common to 
  Interrogators, used for acquiring the burden of 
  guilt desired for public trials or presentation 
  to a conclave. 
   
   
   
   
  The Deductor 
  The acolytes known as Deductors are those 
  given specified authority from their master for 
  independent 
  work 
  closely 
  related 
  to 
  investigation and tracking. A Deductor is less 
  experienced with the strict activities of their 
  Master, they operate alone, or alongside an 
  affiliated cell of their master’s, often extended 
  independence not only from their master but 
  from his network for many years. 
                 Given the nature of  Deductor as an 
  independent investigator they will often be 
  highly skilled in their line of work, often 
  finding themselves thrust alone into the world 
  of intrigue, deceit and deception long before 
  many other acolytes. It is not uncommon for 
  Deductors 
  to find themselves becoming 
  extremely divergent from their master’s 
  ideologies and methodologies. This can lead to 
  dual, or triplicate patronage for Deductors 
  acting in concert with more than one Inquisitor 
  often without the knowledge of the other 
  patrons. It is therefore not entirely uncommon 
  for Deductors themselves becoming embroiled 
  in intrigue that implicates their own masters, 
  allowing a Deductor based character to have 
  the independence of thought and action of an 
  Inquisitor for decades, simply lacking the 
  direct authority and seal of the Inquisition.  
                 A Deductor is often well acquainted 
  with both the underworld and high society, 
  bridging the gap succinctly and deftly whilst 
  being strictly tied to neither. Given the 
  investigative directions that Deductors take, it 
  is quite likely for them to have little extensive 
  field combat experience, becoming more prone 
  to a fist fight than a sabre-duel. Indeed is 
  somewhat uncommon for a Deductor to be 
  disposed towards mutation or witchery given 
  the inhibiting dangers they draw combined 
  with the distance from the security of their 
  patron. This generally means that a Deductor is 
  both 
  highly 
  independent, 
  but 
  generally 
  orthodox 
  in 
  their 
  matters, 
  being 
  less 
  flamboyant and more unassuming and discrete 
  than a vast majority of their colleagues. 
   
   
   
  Deductors, like the vastness of investigators 
  before them, rely particularly on their mental 
  
   
   
  prowess to see them through their duties. 
  Where an Interrogator has access to the 
  extensive dungeonary of their patrons and a 
  Lector similarly endowed with the Libraria of 
  their patron, a Deductor is usually left only  
  connections and cells, often without the 
  reliance on the power and authority of their 
  master. A suggestion for Deductors is to have 
  above average sagacity and willpower over 
  their average colleague, but with a drastically 
  reduced martial skill. Going from the basic 
  stats presented in the Inquisitor rulebook, a 
  suitable modification for a Deductor would be: 
  +10/15 Sagacity and Willpower but -20 
  Weapon and Ballistic Skill, and a -10 Strength 
  and 
  Toughness. 
  Generally 
  speaking 
  a 
  Deductor is of high initiative, but such is often 
  better accommodated as a Games Master 
  allocated 
  modified 
  to 
  awareness 
  when 
  searching or noticing clues, indicators or 
  hidden/underlying oddness of situations. In 
  such terms it seems fair to apply a bonus of 
  +20 
  (again 
  GM 
  arbitrated 
  for 
  appropriateness) to Awareness Checks. 
                The natural skill and ability of a 
  Deductor 
  often 
  lies 
  in 
  their 
  uncanny 
  investigative prowess, a difficult thing to 
  model in terms of a strict rule for a narrative 
  skirmish game. In this manner, it is highly 
  unlikely 
  that 
  an 
  Inquisitor 
  will 
  have 
  particularly many Special Abilities due to their 
  past as a Deductor. Similarly it is generally 
  very rare for Deductors to exhibit any signs of 
  mutation, psychic prowess or other unnatural 
  ability. Of course this does not prohibit 
  Deductors 
  from 
  accessing 
  and 
  utilising 
  sanctioned (and unsanctioned) Psykers, or a 
  having a wealth of contacts in the mutant 
  outcasts of society, rather it would often 
  encourage them. 
                For equipment it is generally taken as 
  poor form to attempt to be discreet in full 
  Tactical Dreadnought Armour. A Deductor, 
  again relying heavily on their mental abilities, 
  will often be equipped with little more than a 
  side-arm and a discrete breast  plate, in 
  addition to certain other trappings. Utilising a 
  repertoire of investigative and recording 
  equipment such as Spectral-Surveyors, arco-
  stylus, data slates and pict-recorders in their 
  line of work it is quite uncommon for Deductor 
  acolytes to be decked out in full armour, 
  extensive arcane weaponry and with backup 
  consisting of a combination of Astartes, 
  Praetorians and Guard Regiments. Conversely 
  though, a Deductor is not unlikely to be well 
  acquainted with the local Imperial offices such 
  as the Cult Mechanicus, the Administratum’s 
  Audit Imperialis or the  Adetpus Arbites, so 
  finding members of such organisations aiding 
  the investigations of a Deductor would not be 
  out of place. 
   
  The Lector 
  The Lector, though primarily an acolyte is 
  typically an obvious savant. Acolytes of 
  extreme intellectual disposition are the mark of 
  the Lector. High acumen, with an exceptional 
  talent for piecing together complex academic 
  issues that face an Inquisitor, the Lector is 
  deployed to deal with the intellectual, and often 
  the philosophical and metaphysical intricacies 
  of their master’s works. Lectors are invariably 
  cooped in the libraria and institutions of an 
  Inquisitor, drawn on for fieldwork in only the 
  most difficult and unavoidable situations. 
  Though afforded an intriguing degree of 
  independence from the direct scrutiny of their 
  master and patron, a Lector is still exposed to 
  the vast quantities of the information and 
  problems they encounter.  
                 Whilst their master will investigate 
  the workings of a proposed Genestealer cult, a 
  Lector will be applied in the direct analysis of 
  all the information gathered. Often working 
  closely with the Cult Mechanicus contacts an 
  Inquisitor has, a Lector is afforded a great deal 
  of latitude in their work. Unfortunately the 
  price that comes with knowledge is an intense 
  scrutiny from afar. Often mistrusted due to 
  their vast and relatively unchecked knowledge, 
  Lectors are both valuable assets and often great 
  problems for the Inquisitors that employ them. 
  Their intense intellectual capacity is both their 
  strength and their weakness, being exposed to 
  the vagaries of terrible knowledge makes them 
  intently vulnerable to its prying and corruption. 
  Such is the risk run by a Lector. 
                 In 
  addition 
  to 
  the 
  academic-
  investigative work of Lectors, they are also 
  placed in positions of direct authority derived 
  from their master, relied on for careful 
  corroboration of data from research and 
  listening stations, as well as being utilised in 
  the facilitation of appropriate information 
  exchange between the cells of an Inquisitor. In 
  such cases the Lector is much less at risk from 
  the knowledge they deal in, but are often of 
  less direct importance to an Inquisitor’s 
  dealings. 
   
  
   
   
   
   
  In terms of rules, a Lector is typically 
  extremely frail for an Inquisitor Acolyte. 
  Reducing their Weapon and Ballistic Skills by 
  up to -30 is fitting, as is the reduction of their 
  Strength, Toughness and Nerve by -20 to -30 
  depending on the history of a specific Lector 
  based from the archetypal Acolyte presented in 
  the rulebook. Similarly, it is quite appropriate 
  for a Lector’s initiative to be reduced 
  anywhere up to -50 in quite rare cases. 
                It is quite uncommon for Lectors to 
  posses much in the way of notable physical 
  skills, often lacking them entirely. In terms of 
  Exotic Abilities, Mutations and the like, it is 
  still rare for a Lector possess any. Given the 
  probable nature of their discipline and 
  research, it is not entirely rare for Lectors to 
  be psykers, often a desirable skill in acolytes of 
  less reputable Inquisitors. 
                In the manner of equipment, a Lector 
  is rarely without a data slate, or similar 
  cognitive implant. Due to their extensive 
  intrusion onto the Quest for Knowledge of the 
  Cult Mechanicus, many Lectors have fostered 
  relations with less orthodox members of the 
  Cult and find the relationship beneficial both 
  in terms of revealed knowledge and more 
  materialistic gains. In such a manner, it is not 
  unlikely that a Lector would be befitted with 
  various augmetics and bionics of varying 
  quality and purpose from the Adepts of the 
  Machine. It is of some surprise that many 
  Lectors spend much of their time training in 
  martial disciplines. Whilst they are unlikely to 
  be of tremendous skill in general physically or 
  martially, the plausibility of a WS/BS/S bonus 
  based on the use of a certain weapon is quite 
  high for many Lectors. An example would be a 
  Lector well studied in the arts of Taracallian 
  sabre duelling, but with little experience using 
  more general swords, or indeed any other kind 
  of weapon. Conversely it is likely no surprise 
  to learn that Lectors will be highly unlikely to 
  be found wielding tremendously powerful or 
  dedicated weaponry, or bulky and extensive 
  armour. 
   
  The Scriptor 
  The Scriptor is an unusual archetype in many 
  respects. Whilst extremely common in the 
  retinues of Inquisitors operating in the near 
  reaches of worlds such as Terra, Hydraphur, 
  Kar Duniash, Cypra Mundi and Bakka, they 
  are conversely common in the retinues of 
  Inquisitors with almost no tangible affiliation 
  and operating on the extreme outside of 
  Inquisitorial ‘society’. A Scriptor is typically 
  tasked with the investigation of data and 
  transmission directed from the vastness of the 
  Imperium and it’s many organisations. Drawn 
  from almost any suitable walk of Imperial life, 
  a Scriptor operates in close liaison with 
  Astropaths 
  and 
  couriers 
  associated 
  appropriated by their master. 
                 Though typically exposed to a vast 
  portion of the knowledge learned by their 
  patron, a Scriptor is often but highly 
  independent from them and yet highly 
  dependent on their resources. Carefully acting 
  in concert with various other members of their 
  master’s retinue, the Scriptor is generally less 
  specialised in many aspects than their fellow 
  acolytes. Neither exposed to the forefront of 
  their masters activities nor learning of the 
  greater lessons associated with dealing and 
  combating the foul enemies of Humanity as 
  Interrogators are. Scriptors are still being held 
  back 
  from 
  the 
  independent 
  intellectual 
  capacities of the Lectors are permitted to 
  entertain. A Scriptor is first and foremost a 
  networker. 
  Whilst 
  their 
  ingenuity 
  and 
  insightfulness is highly valuable, their strict 
  mental and physical disciplines are often 
  outstripped. As mentioned, they draw highly on 
  the resources available to them.  
                 Many Scriptors are charged with 
  utilising their patron’s resources to monitor the 
  activities of a specific world, organisation or 
  person in an effort to further their patron’s 
  interests. Whilst a Scriptor based on one of the 
  core bastions of Humanity will often be one 
  amongst many dozens of Scriptors operating 
  for 
  a 
  well 
  established 
  Inquisitor, 
  all 
  simultaneously searching different avenues for 
  leads and information for their master, a 
  Scriptor operating on behalf of a reclusive 
  Inquisitor will be one of the primary sources of 
  information 
  and 
  therefore 
  be 
  extremely 
  
   
   
  valuable, having access to almost as many 
  resources as their master Inquisitor has 
  themselves. 
   
  Though typically quite proficient acolytes, 
  Scriptors are usually less than exemplary in a 
  particular discipline. When examining their 
  statistics it is strongly proposed for a Scriptor 
  to be generally less than average pretty much 
  across the board. A reduction of -5 or -10 to 
  most statistics is quite appropriate, even as 
  much as -15 in particular cases for specifically 
  suitable Scriptors. 
                In terms of special and exotic abilities 
  it is uncommon for Scriptors to be particularly 
  special, often only having a single innate 
  ability such as fast draw or dead eye shot, with 
  little in the way past such abilities. Similarly 
  with psychic abilities, it is generally an 
  uncommon trait in Scriptors, though no less  
  so than the average acolyte. 
                With equipment, it is not uncommon 
  for a Scriptor to have the access to or have it 
  assigned directly from their master’s own 
  armoury and assets. In this manner a Scriptor 
  can arguably have access to a wide range of 
  equipment based on the profiling of their 
  master and patron. Most significantly for 
  Scriptors is their access to other personnel, 
  often drawing on Astropaths, Navigators, 
  Machine Cultists and other agents affiliated 
  with their master. For the purpose of a 
  Scriptor 
  or 
  former 
  Scriptor 
  leading 
  a 
  Warband, it is highly likely that they will have 
  a numerous warband, and quite unlikely that 
  they will operate alone. Even still, it is very 
  uncommon for a Scriptor to access highly 
  unusual associates such as operatives of the 
  Officio Assassinourm, the Adeptus Astartes or 
  senior members of the Cult Mechanicus.   
   
  The Explicator 
  The Explicators, closely linked with both the 
  Deductors and Interrogators, are largely 
  neither. They form indirect aides to their 
  masters, being an archetypal agent of the 
  Inquisition. Capable in many aspects, again 
  much akin to the Interrogator, the Explicators 
  are tasked with independently corroborating 
  information, often working closely with their 
  patron 
  (unlike 
  the 
  Deductor). 
  More 
  independent than a direct aide such as an 
  Interrogator, the Explicator is often assigned 
  missions and objects in parallel with their 
  master, acting in concert and collusion to 
  approach a problem from more than one angle. 
  As a substantially independent operative, the 
  Explicator will tend towards the similar 
  operating methods of an Inquisitor, but be 
  disposed towards a complementary role, rather 
  than supplementary. As a primary component 
  of an Explicators function is to corroborate the 
  beliefs and suspicions of their master, it is 
  quite common for the Explicators to follow the 
  path of their patron in both faction and 
  ideology, 
  though 
  more 
  often 
  diverging 
  significantly as both master and acolyte 
  continue with increasing independence. 
                 Historically Explicators are ordained 
  usually by their patron, rather than upon their 
  death as is often the case with Interrogators. 
  Given 
  the 
  semi-independent 
  nature 
  of 
  Explicators, former Explicators often find 
  themselves drawn towards the overarching 
  Inquisitorial 
  intrigues 
  of 
  subsectors and 
  sectors, forming integral components of 
  dispersed Convlaves and less well established 
  Ordos and Orders.  
   
  Given 
  the 
  relative 
  independence 
  of 
  Explicators, they make ideal characters for 
  Acolytes leading their own warbands as not 
  too distant operatives and agents of a more 
  senior patron Inquisitor. They conform well 
  with the statistics for an Acolyte presented in 
  the Inquisitor Rulebook. Divergence from it 
  can all be well accounted for in the 
  background of any particular Explicator with 
  their progression, history and future often 
  more malleable and less dependent on their 
  patrons than many of the other Acolyte 
  archetypes. 
                 In terms of their warband and 
  accomplices, it is a generally good idea to 
  work through the background and history of 
  their patron Inquisitor, as well as the cells 
  associated with an Explicator to give a more 
  solidly founded character, as they may often 
  find themselves displaced from their masters, 
  but still influenced by them. 
                 For equipment, skills and abilities, 
  the realm for an Explicator is quite open. 
  Typically these will be loosely linked to the 
  archetype and personality of their master. A 
  Lector-Inquisitor adopting several acolytes as 
  Explicators would, perhaps, find themselves 
  with a great deal of access to arcane 
  equipment, but with little founding in terms of 
  orthodox contacts in the various branches of 
  the Imperium. Given the rough mentoring 
  presumably provided by their patrons, they 
  may adopt initially similar skills, but through 
  practice find themselves divergent and routed 
  in complementing the abilities, reaches and 
  ranges of the patron, rather than duplicating 
  them. 
   
  
   
   
   
  The Elucidator 
  The Elucidator is a strong archetypal acolyte. 
  Often working as backup to their masters own 
  investigations, the Elucidator forms a close 
  bond with the Deductors and Explicators in 
  tracing information and working to augment 
  their patron’s own work. A mobile operative 
  and often working with solid backing from 
  their 
  patron’s 
  assets, 
  an 
  Elucidator 
  is 
  dispatched to act as a vanguard and monitor of 
  the interests of the Inquisitor. Working 
  primarily as an initial investigator, well trained 
  and skilled in shedding light on otherwise 
  inconspicuous connections and associations, an 
  Elucidator is a primary asset to the Inquisitors 
  that utilise them. Often working in close 
  collaboration 
  with 
  fellow 
  acolytes, 
  the 
  Elucidator is primarily an individual operative. 
  They rarely work directly with a retinue or 
  warband, and are archetypal individual.  
                 Should an Inquisitor’s attention be 
  drawn to a certain area, but with pressing 
  matters on hand already, they will often 
  dispatch an Elucidator to evaluate the threat 
  and potential depth of any anomaly or issue. In 
  this way, it is not uncommon for an Elucidator 
  to have first been an Interrogator or Explicator 
  before progressing into this vanguard role for 
  their patron.  
                 Though generally independent from 
  their patron when directly surveying and 
  following a suspicion, they are also closely tied 
  to their patron. Rarely will an Elucidator act 
  for extended periods away from their patron on 
  any one path. Typically they will, upon 
  reaching a conclusion, return to convene with 
  their master before being dispatched once more 
  as another anomaly arises. 
                 In any event it is quite common for an 
  Elucidator to form similar views and practices 
  akin to their patron, becoming intimately 
  familiar with what is considered to be a 
  genuine problem, and what is relegated to other 
  bodies of the Imperium. Elucidators are the 
  typical preserve of less well established 
  Inquisitors who utilise these acolytes as 
  vanguard agents and operatives to act outside 
  their own sphere and aid in the determining of 
  their next move. Well established Inquisitors 
  with extensive operations will more often than 
  not focus on the mentoring of Scriptors and 
  Lectors for similar purposes. 
                 Such is the duality of independence 
  and dependence that Elucidators often simply 
  grow and expand into the position and role of 
  an Inquisitor, with their ordainment becoming 
  a formality and cementing of independence 
  from their patron rather than a strict and 
  discrete elevation. Conversely, the nature and 
  purpose of Elucidators means that a great many 
  
   
   
  have neither aspiration nor desire to act as full 
  Inquisitors, such is their bond with their own 
  patrons.  
   
  In terms of their physical and mental statistics, 
  most Elucidators fall closely within the 
  representation of an Acolyte as presented in 
  the Inquisitor Rulebook. The only significant 
  departure would be at least an initial 
  disposition away from extensive leadership 
  ability. A proposed aspect would be a 
  reduction of their Leadership attribute by from 
  -10 to as much as -30 depending upon the 
  background 
  and 
  character 
  of 
  a 
  given 
  Elucidator. 
                Given the stricter independence of 
  Elucidators in terms of directly working with 
  others, they will often be intensely skilled 
  operatives and agents, thus it is not uncommon 
  for an Elucidator to have some repertoire of 
  special abilities. In terms of exotic abilities, 
  mutation and psychic powers the prevalence of 
  such abilities is likely no more common than 
  amongst general acolytes, though depending 
  upon their respective patrons it may be 
  significantly increased or decreased.  
                When in comes to equipment it is of 
  little surprise that Elucidators will typically be 
  well equipped for acting independently. 
  Though they are no more distinguishable than 
  other acolytes in terms of the rarity and power 
  of their equipment, an Elucidator will typically 
  be reasonably armoured, and capable of 
  tackling many foes, therefore having both 
  ranged and melee equipment in essentially 
  equal measure and capacity.  
   
   
   
   
  The Agitator 
  The Agitator is an unusually highly specialised 
  form of acolyte. Typically operating under 
  direct authority from their master, with a rough 
  mutual idea of each others intent, they are 
  some of the most independent acolytes utilised 
  by the Inquisition. 
                 Often deriving much of their starting 
  assets directly from their patron, they are then 
  essentially left unhindered to go about their 
  duty, should it take years or decades. 
                 The duty itself is perhaps their most 
  controversial and contentious aspect of their 
  use throughout the Inquisition. They operate 
  primarily with facilitating a counter-movement, 
  often directly opposed to their patrons own 
  intentions. This in itself serves a great many 
  purposes. For the more single-minded Puritan 
  Inquisitors it serves to increase the significance 
  and impact of their actions, greatly increasing 
  the success of their own operations by toppling 
  an ideally capable and competent foe. Clearly, 
  in such cases, the Agitator is not intended to 
  succeed in their plans, merely to facilitate a 
  sufficient counter-movement and gain the 
  experience associated with it.  
                 Creating such credible foes means 
  that a great many heretics and insurgents are 
  drawn out of their hiding and into the 
  knowledge of, at least, the agitator, thereby 
  successfully exposing many threats to the 
  Imperium whilst dealing with only a handful 
  initially. 
                 Ardent Radicals are often less clear 
  cut in their intent when assigning Agitators, 
  often thereby trying to entrap Puritans or rogue 
  Inquisitors who are acting contrary to their 
  plans, or even simply as part of their 
  destabilising ideologies. Indeed it is not 
  uncommon for both the Agitator and their 
  patron to be working fully and entirely to 
  ensure that their own method and approach is 
  the successful one, even if one or both are 
  substantially heretical in creed. 
                 What truly separates the Agitator 
  from the host of acolytes is the sheer 
  independence their kind is permitted, often 
  being deployed for the course of many decades 
  conducting repeatedly similar and effective 
  agitations amongst the populaces of the 
  Imperium and beyond should it suit the 
  motives of their patron.  
                 It is not uncommon for Agitators to 
  meet their end at the hands of their own 
  Inquisitor for overstepping the line of heresy, 
  and even more common is another Inquisitor 
  being unaware of the Agitator‘s connections 
  and simply intervening and likely killing or 
  detaining the Agitator before an explanation is 
  
   
   
  afforded or sought. 
                When and if an Agitator is eventually 
  ordained, it is common for them to be of 
  rapidly divergent views. Where one may 
  ascend from agitation and assert themselves as 
  a Monodominant and assign a host of acolyte-
  agitators of their own, another of similar 
  background may suddenly find themselves 
  rapidly approaching the path of a Radical, 
  finding their own ideologies and views rapidly 
  swept from under them as they descend into the 
  intrigue 
  of 
  Inquisitorial 
  deception 
  and 
  divisiveness.  
   
  The case of Agitator acolytes is varied and 
  extensive. Whilst most roughly conform to the 
  general acolyte profile presented in the 
  Inquisitor Rulebook, a great many will find 
  themselves with heightened oratory skills, able 
  to swing a hardened band of rebels to their 
  cause or to rouse anger in a crowd easily, 
  swiftly escaping as the might of the Imperium 
  crashes down on their web. In any event, a 
  typically Agitator will be roughly standard in 
  their profile, with usually only a marked 
  increase in their Sagacity or Leadership of the 
  form of a +5 or +10 modifier to those stats. As 
  they are more often the catalysts of change, 
  whilst capable they will usually not progress 
  greatly past their initial ability with weapons 
  and their physical stature. In such a manner, 
  most Agitators will typically be slightly below 
  average in terms of Weapon and Ballistic Skill 
  as well as strength and toughness, but usually 
  not by a significant enough portion to warrant 
  a modifier. 
                In terms of special, exotic and psychic 
  abilities, it is not uncommon for agitators to 
  have a few select abilities. It is unlikely they 
  will be extensive, or intense, but typically 
  present in some form. Although generally 
  uncommon, it is not entirely unheard of for 
  mutants to be inducted as acolytes Agitators 
  within their own communes, thus the prospect 
  of 
  a 
  heavily mutated Agitator is not 
  inappropriate.  
                In terms of equipment, a Agitator 
  initially dispatched by their patron will often 
  find themselves with a sizeable portion of 
  resources, 
  often 
  including 
  added 
  staff 
  members, 
  a 
  not-unimpressive 
  cache 
  or 
  weaponry, armour and other equipment or 
  other such items. In this way, whilst an 
  Agitator themselves may not be inundated with 
  equipment, their immediate retinue will often 
  be highly equipped through their resources. In 
  the long run, however, an Agitator will receive 
  little if any further outside support from the 
  Patron, thus requiring a solid independent 
  infrastructure to support their plans. Specific 
  equipment included to them will often be 
  highly relevant to their cause. An Agitator 
  inciting, say, a Cult of the Machine would be 
  well 
  endowed 
  with 
  obvious 
  mechanical 
  apparatus such as Bionics or icons of the 
  Omnissiah, whereas an Agitator working 
  intently with the Imperial Cult and, say, the 
  Redemptors will find themselves using many 
  flamers, and Imperial ‘Relics’ and similar.   
                 As can be expected, an Agitator will 
  often find themselves surrounded by many, 
  apparently like minded, individuals. Be they 
  cultists of one form or another (from death 
  cults, machine cults and cults of the Emperor 
  Ascendant through to doomsayers and even 
  Chaotic or Genestealer influenced cults!), they 
  will typically be loyal to the agitator. As a 
  note, it is also not necessary for the Agitator to 
  be the primary figure in such cults, often they 
  will adopt the form of a critical or trusted 
  advisor seemingly quite innocuous, but subtly 
  guiding the organisation nonetheless. In any 
  event, an Agitator will, like the Scriptor, 
  typically have an extensive warband or retinue 
  at their disposal.  
   
   
  
   
   
  Agitator Alatzar Sho-Creen 
   
  Alatzar is a former con artist, but now he 
  serves the Emperor. On behalf of his patron the 
  Recongregator  Inquisitor Kessen Vral, he has 
  currently infiltrated the court of Dalekhan’s 
  Planetry Govener. He acts in capacity as an 
  advisor to the Govenor, and thanks to his 
  careful advice, the govenors diversion of funds 
  and failure to keep Imerial Creed will soon be 
  publicly 
  and 
  bloodily 
  exposed.  
   
  Age: 53 
   
  Left Handed 
  Equipment: Ornate Carapace Chest and 
  Abdomen (Av 4). Sword 
  Special Abilities: Leader 
  Physic Powers: Gaze of Death, Demoralise, 
  Embolden 
   
  WS BS  S   T    I   Wp  Sg  Nv  Ld 
  55   51 67  56  76  71   69   65   73 
   
  _____________________________________ 
   
  Deductor Alex ‘Dirty’ Polis 
   
  Alex serves as the eyes and ears to Inquisitor 
  Donathor, keeping a close and unobtrusive eye 
  on half a dozen key worlds within the 
  subsector. Often posing as a small scale freight 
  merchant, he is able to catch important the 
  gossip and rumours from both upper class 
  merchant houses, and lower class ‘private 
  businessmen’. 
   
  Age: 42 
   
  Right Handed 
  Equipment: Flak Armour (Av 2 Chest and 
  Abdomen), Sawn off Shotgun (with scatter 
  shells),  Pict Recorder (200 turns in duration, 1 
  action to record, 1 to stop, 1 to play back, 3 to 
  load a new cartridge) 
  Special Abilities: Force of Will 
  Psychic Powers: none 
   
  WS BS  S   T    I   Wp  Sg  Nv  Ld 
  58   49 47  54  76  82   85   78   73 
   
  _____________________________________ 
   
  Eludicator Valen Carramond 
   
  Eludicator Carramond serves as one of the eyes 
  and ears of Amalathian Inquisitor Konstandin 
  Garibaldi. She is often dispatch to the far 
  reaches of the Galaxy assessing threats and 
  links in the Inquisitor’s on-going search for the 
  elusive daemonologist Kethas Quan. 
   
  Age: 36 
   
  Right Handed 
  Equipment: 2 spring-braced micro-duelling 
  pistols (Shots: 1, Weight 10), flak armour 3, all 
  location except head, sword. 
  Special 
  Abilities: 
  Gunfighter, 
  Acrobatic, 
  Leader 
  Psychic Powers: none 
   
  WS BS  S   T    I   Wp  Sg  Nv  Ld 
  54   77 67  56  69   67  68   72   60 
   
  _____________________________________ 
   
  Explicator Tan Bronner 
   
  Bronner was recruited from the Circus Arcana 
  and it is his showmanship that makes him so 
  valuable to his patron. Few men can enter the 
  secret world of entertainers. Specialising in the 
  infiltration of anomalous travelling shows,  
  often sources or spreaders of corruption, and 
  they almost always have a superb knowledge of 
  the local situation. Bronner serves the Xenarite 
  Inquisitor Ardentine Ronagne of the Ordo 
  Sepultrum in his cleansing of the Segmentum 
  Solar‘s worlds of the Plagues of Disbelief. 
   
  Age: 28 
   
  Left Handed 
  Equipment: 6 throwing knives, 2 knives, 
  capitol, average bionic eye with rangefinder. 
  Special Abilities: Blademaster 
  Psychic Powers: none  
   
  WS BS  S   T    I   Wp  Sg  Nv  Ld 
  54   59  59 61  77  72   88  68   63  
  _____________________________________ 
     
  
   
   
  Interrogator Itjus Kar 
   
  Ten yeard old Itjus Kar was a primitive 
  tribesman on the world of Braknor, when 
  Inquisitor Gortestue led an investigation into 
  the rituals of certain sects on the planet. 
  Initially taken by the Inquisitor as a local 
  guide, he impressed the Inquisitor with his 
  dedication 
  and 
  purity 
  to 
  the Emperor, 
  demonstrating an impressive and exponentially 
  increasing grasp of the workings and dangers 
  of the Imperium. Almost a decade after being 
  brought into the Inquisitor’s permanent retinue 
  after saving his live, Kar was elevated to the 
  rank of Interrogator and cast as Gortestue’s 
  pre-eminent protégé.  
   
  Age: 24 
   
  Ambidextrous 
  Equipment: ArmaPlas Shield (Av 4, Left 
  Arm, Left leg, Chest, Abdomen) Spear, Pain 
  Needles. 
  Special Abilities: Lightning Reflexes 
  Psychic Powers: none 
   
  WS BS  S   T    I   Wp  Sg  Nv  Ld 
  79   61 69  67  71  72    68  79   76  
   
  _____________________________________ 
   
  Lector ‘Nathanial’ 5W337 
   
  Born with a serial code, rather than a name, 
  5W337 was a child of a minor Adeptus 
  Ministorum orphanage, where the children 
  would be turned out as good menials. 
  However, 5W337 showed a prodigal ability to 
  read, and the ability to seek out and absorb 
  information. By the time he was twelve, he 
  became chief assistant to the archivist. First 
  recruited by one Monodominant Inquisitor 
  Bracin, he has served a variety of masters, and 
  resides primarily in the Legacy of Katheshan 
  Conclave Inquisitorial libraria upon Kar 
  Duniash. 
   
  Age: 82 
   
  Left Handed 
  Equipment: Average Bionic Arm (left arm, 
  Str 53) Implant Data Slate (Left Hand, Mk IV 
  Kardunish ‘Universal’ pattern), Stylus. 
  Special Abilities: none 
  Psychic Powers: none 
   
  WS BS  S   T    I   Wp  Sg  Nv  Ld 
  37   39  68  39  65 59    81  68   69 
  _____________________________________ 
    
  Scriptor Ganlli Bemask 
   
  Ganalli was picked up by the black ships at the 
  agre of eleven for his telepathic ability. It was 
  his diplomatic tact that allowed him to survive 
  the hellish confines of the journey to Terra. He 
  became a Sanctioned Pysker affiliated to the 
  Departmento Munitorum and was assigned to 
  the PDF of Gravense Folly and liased with the 
  Mutant population of the world, deftly able to 
  calm situations between the various reaches of 
  the mutant populace. Brought to the attention 
  of Thorian Inquisitor Rectjivain on her 
  summary inspection of the world. After her 
  untimely death he now currently serves as a 
  Scriptor to the predominantly Puritan Conclave 
  addressing  Proliferative Mutant Management 
  in the Drython Sector. 
   
  Age: 46 
   
  Right Handed 
  Equipment: 
   
  Short 
  Sword, 
  Laspistol, 
  Conversion Shield. 
  Special Abilities:  
  Diplomat: If Ganalli passes a Leadership test 
  he can force a roll as he attmpts persuade a 
  character. 
  The 
  character 
  must 
  pass 
  a 
  Willpower, or Nerve Save (Ganalli’s choice) 
  or be swayed by Ganalli’s words (GM decide 
  reaction). This Skill only works on those he 
  has a chance of reasoning with, not for 
  example, an implacable Assasin. 
  Psychic Powers: Telepathy 
   
   
  WS BS  S   T    I   Wp  Sg  Nv  Ld 
  63   54 56  49  64  76    72  68   83  
   
  _____________________________________ 
   
  Though by no means extensive, we felt the 
  above gave a sufficiently wide berth for 
  players to examine the various acolytes they 
  would even allow to begin to speculate after 
  their own Seal! For those of a creative streak, 
  we came up with a few possible names for 
  other acolytes, but our brains started to give 
  up: Edictors, Convenors, Excruicators and 
  Directors.   
  
   
   
  NEW EQUIPMENT 
   
  Pain-needles 
   
  Acolytes, 
  particularly 
  Interrogators, 
  are 
  skilled at questioning people, and forcing 
  answers out of them. Their methods range 
  from threats to Unimaginable Torture, but one 
  of their most effective, and most common tools 
  are the ubiquitous pain needles.  
  Pain needles are long slender silvery pins, 
  attached by micro wires to a control pack, a 
  prisoner must be restrained for them to be 
  applied.  
   
  A typical case of needles will allow for up to 
  D6+2 distinctly different ‘levels‘ of pain. They 
  are typically stowed easily in little more than a 
  secure fabric wrap and pocket or holster. The 
  needles send signals directly to the nervous 
  system, causing excruciating pain. Any person 
  who is questioned while a trained operator uses 
  the needles is at a -45 (or other suitable 
  modifier) to any test to resist answering. GMs 
  should determine what can be done in any 
  particular action. 
   
  The Needles can also be used as an improvised 
  weapon, if any un-armoured location is hit the 
  target is stunned for D3 turns as a massive 
  shock is delivered to their nerves.  
   
  Stimuli-applicators  
   
  A substantially more advanced variant of pain 
  needles, they come in far more wider styles 
  and settings, with each set often custom made 
  and modified to the specifications of it’s 
  owner. The various different designs range 
  from pain needles with far superior individual 
  variance units, to entire body suits.  
   
  They manipulate the senses of the victim in a 
  far more subtle way than pain needles, able to 
  create sensations of warmth or cold, water or 
  fire. Any person who is questioned or 
  otherwise subjected to the applicators is at -60 
  to any test to resist an interrogator. Clearly the 
  GM should feel free to alter this depending on 
  both the skill of the interrogator and the 
  training or ability of the subject and any other 
  suitable factors. 
   
  Arco-stylus 
   
  An arco-stylus is typically an indentured 
  servant, a servitor or similarly lobotomised 
  human, or most often a servo-skull of forms.  
  In any event, an Arco-stylus are typically 
  equipped 
  with 
  powerful 
  and 
  sometimes  
  sophisticated 
  pict-recording 
  devices. 
  A 
  sophisticated machine spirit or cogitation is 
  intact in the entities such that they can 
  pinpoint timeframes and make rudimentary 
  choices as to how and what to record, as 
  required. It is not uncommon for an Arco-
  stylus to be capable of communing with other 
  vassals of the Machine God and directly 
  revealing the knowledge stored in it’s devices. 
   
  Standard equipment is a substantial parchment 
  roll 
  and 
  auto-quills 
  utilised 
  for 
  select 
  reproduction of images as required by their 
  owner or master. 
   
  Pict-recorder  
   
  Though specifications vary widely, it is not 
  uncommon for many agents of the Imperium to 
  carry with them, or in their repertoire, a pict-
  recorder of some form.  
   
  In game terms, a pict-recorder will have a 
  nominally allotted field of vision (from narrow 
  a 30 degrees for crude or highly specialised 
  devices, to broader fields up to all-round for 
  high quality equipment). Typically it will 
  record mainly in the visible spectrum, though 
  as noted highly advanced forms are available 
  with extra apparatus. Indeed, some may fit 
  securely behind and within the a servo-skull 
  whilst others record every moment upon vast, 
  hulking servitors. 
   
  They can be set to record everything, or 
  specific items, or probably any combination 
  possible (Sg tests are recommended…we all 
  know how good we are with VHR/DVD 
  players…). It takes an action to input a simple 
  command (I.e. record) or several more 
  depending on the further complexity of the 
  task. A test based on the skill of bearer of the 
  pict-recorder, or the programmer, is also 
  recommended depending on the likelihood of 
  detecting crucial or significant events that 
  happen within (or without) the field of vision 
  of the recorder. 
   
  Spectral-Surveyors  
   
  A series of ocular aides that fit over the eye in 
  some form or another. From simple a monocle 
  that enhances the visible spectra to a vast and 
  complex array adorning the entire skull that 
  can flex and change to suit the particular 
  needs of the bearer. 
   
  In any event, depending upon the various sets 
  
   
   
  and combinations and specific intended effects 
  of a piece, an abstraction of their effect is a 
  suggested bonus to awareness of one form or 
  another. (Viewing primarily in the IR and 
  thermal range will obviously aid in detecting of 
  heat signatures and benefit a bonus to detection 
  of said phenomena whereas scanning radio-
  frequencies would incur a penalty in the same 
  situation) 
   
  Data Slate  
   
  A portable, typically hand-held, cogitator 
  easily suited to bearing, recording, noting and 
  accessing a variety of information. Typically 
  produced to STC standards, but can be highly 
  specialised to access or prevent access to 
  restricted databanks, and can often come in 
  specialised variant-patterns thus sometimes 
  prohibiting 
  it’s 
  use 
  when 
  faced 
  with 
  incompatible patterns. 
   
  The data slate allows a character to access, 
  upload and download data from a vast host of 
  information repositories across the Imperium 
  (this one’s a Kar Duniash pattern, so GMs 
  should adjudicate on compatibility) whilst 
  allowing the user to make a variety of notes 
  and other similar actions. It typically takes one 
  action to utilise the data slate for simple 
  purposes, e.g. a quick note or calculation or 
  accessing a specific piece of data (though it 
  may 
  take 
  substantially 
  more 
  time 
  to 
  read/understand/etc the data). It may take two 
  actions to commence simple data exchange 
  with a suitable counter component, or even 
  more actions to conduct more complex actions. 
   
  Stylus 
   
  A stylus is an unassuming mechanical scribing  
  implement of the Imperium, and perhaps the 
  Imperium’s most widely used tool. The 
  Adeptus Terra combine the Stylus and Quill 
  not to any small means: they facilitate the 
  running of the Imperium of Mankind with such 
  devices. In addition to it’s typically basic yet 
  extensive scribing abilities many types of 
  Stylus can be utilised alongside data slates and 
  other similar devices to facilitate more 
  accurate recording and amendments. 
   
  Primarily over the quill the Stylus allows a 
  greater dexterity when utilising data slates. 
  Additionally they can be used as set-quills to 
  mark objects in a variety of inks and manners 
  (e.g. ‘hidden ink’ etc). To change ink type of 
  the Stylus simply requires an action. To mark 
  an object requires one action and a Sagacity 
  test. The degree of success or failure of the test 
  will account for how well the marking was 
  completed (or botched). GMs should apply 
  modifiers 
  rather 
  liberally, 
  also allowing 
  characters to ‘concentrate’ (or ’aim’) and such 
  for similar bonuses (e.g. +10% to Sg). 
   
   
   
  _____________________________________ 
   
   
  ABOUT THE AUTHORS 
   
  Adam Durrant has been an Inquisitor gamer 
  for some years, previously he has worked on 
  Dodge City. When not inhabiting cyber space 
  he plays WFB and 40k, and works on his 
  Longbows. 
  He 
  avoids 
  his 
  A-levels 
  in 
  Chemistry, Biology, Philosophy and English. 
   
  Frank 
  O’Hanlon 
  has been Specialistly 
  Gaming for many years now, working away on 
  such unseen wonders (or false hopes) such as 
  the 
  Demiurg, 
  Battlefleet Pech and the 
  Commerce Protection Fleet for the Tau. In his 
  spare time he studies Theoretical Physics. 
   
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Warhammer/40k/Inquisitor Skirmish/SG_site_files/TheJudiciousRemit.pdf