Dark Heresy - Acolytes Handbook

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Acolytes Handbook – Dark Heresy

Welcome to the missing handbook! This supplement is being written to put rules to some of the stuff missing from the main book that I need for my campaign.

So what is missing? What rank is my character in the Inquisition? What resources can I call on? Can I become an Inquisitor myself?

I propose to fix this missing element from the rules by introducing a new career concept that runs along side your current career…… So if me take a standard guardsman character he will have Guardsman Ranks and

Inquisitorial Ranks. This might sound a bit complicated but I think it has the potential to work quite well.

Your character will gain experience points in the normal way, your GM will allocate so many for his usual reasons, these will go towards your career rank as normal.

Your GM will also allocate you Inquisition xp points, these go towards you Inquisitorial Rank only. They are not awarded for time spent playing, roleplaying or any reason other than your GM thinks that you are doing a good job in the eyes of the Inquisition. These points represent the trust you have earned in the eyes of your master.

I should also stress that players should receive this kind of experience at different rates, depending on their actions and how their actions are

interpreted by their superiors (they may never be able to verify some things). So you should not advance quickly unless you are very good at your job. If you can complete missions and succeed in doing the Emperor’s work then you might just get on in the Inquisition and rise through the ranks.

Table 1-1: Inquisitorial Ranks

Rank Inquisitorial XP Level

Acolyte 0-499 Trusted Acolyte 500-999 Cell Leader 1000-1999 Cell Supervisor 2000-2999 Interrogator 3000-5999 Inquisitor 6000-7999 Veteran Inquisitor 8000-9999 Inquisitor Lord 10000-14999

At each rank certain skills and talents are opened up to you just like an ordinary career would do. On top of these choices are a new set of

advancements called Resources & Authority, these are detailed later in the supplement.

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Acolyte Advances

An acolyte is the lowest rank in the Inquisition, you are recognized by your Inquisitor and have gained some measure of trust. You have no direct authority of your own and are usually given specific missions to act on.

Advance Cost Type Prerequisites

Ciphers (Team Specific) 100 S -

Climb 100 S -

Common Lore (Imperium) 100 S -

Inquiry 200 S -

Literacy 200 S -

Security 200 S -

Swim 100 S -

Trusted Acolyte Advances

A trusted acolyte has shown his loyalty and has earned the trust of his Inquisitor. He is given some authority to obtain what is needed to get the job done. These are the veterans of the Inquisitors cadre.

Ciphers (Team Specific) +10 100 S Ciphers Common Lore (Imperium) +10 100 S CL (Imperium) Forbidden Lore (Inquisition) 200 S -

Forged Identity* 100 R -

Jaded 200 T -

Peer (Acolyte) 200 T Fel 30

Pilot (your choice) 200 S -

Requisition Basic Equipment 100 R -

Resources 100 R - Scrutiny 200 S - Shadowing 200 S - Silent Move 200 S - Tech-Use 200 S - Unshakeable Faith 300 T -

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Cell Leader

The cell leader has the authority to direct the cell’s investigations. He is usually the one to report to the Inquisitor and can now command actual judicial powers.

Barter 100 S -

Blather 100 S -

Charm 100 S -

Ciphers (Inquisitor's Personal) 100 S -

Command 100 S -

Deceive 200 S -

Forged Identity* 100 R -

Iron Discipline 300 T WP 30, Command

Logic 200 S -

Orthoproxy 300 T -

Paranoia 200 T -

Requisition Enforcers 200 A -

Requisition Safe House 200 R -

Resources* 100 R -

Scholastic Lore (Judgement) 100 S -

*This resource can be taken 3 times this rank

Cell Supervisor

The supervisor’s job is to co-ordinate multiple cells working on large scale investigations. This person must manage teams and the resources needed to ensure that they achieve their objectives. This person has now earned a large amount of trust.

Additional Resources* 200 R -

Acolyte Cell* 300 R -

Common Lore (all available) 200 S -

Contacts* 100 R -

Forbidden Lore (Inquisition) +10 200 S -

Logic +10 200 S Logic

Requisition PDF 200 A -

Requisition Fleet Transport 200 A - Requisition Arbites 200 A -

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Special Advancements

From the rank of Interrogator onwards the characters have access to the best training that the Inquisition can offer. This allows them to purchase additional statistic advances above and beyond the normal human allowance. Once a character has taken all of his available advances in a given statistic he can purchase additional advances as shown below.

Table 1-2: Inquisitorial Statistic Advances

Characteristic Exceptional Legendary

Weapon Skill 1000 2000 Ballistic Skill 1000 2000 Strength 1000 2000 Toughness 1000 2000 Agility 1000 2000 Intelligence 1000 2000 Perception 1000 2000 Willpower 1000 2000 Fellowship 1000 2000 Interrogator

An interrogator is officially an Inquisitor in training, they are sponsored by a specific individual and often trained by them and their close allies. They are expected to excel in all areas. They come from such a variety of backgrounds and operate in any number of ways. An Interrogator now has official power to detain in the name of Holy Inquisition and carries considerable authority on his own.

Acolyte Cell* 300 R -

Cell Supervisor 200 R -

Common Lore (all available) +10 200 S CL

Contacts* 100 R -

Forbidden Lore (Inquisition) +20 200 S FL +10

Forged Identity* 100 R - Inquisitorial Authority 200 A - Interrogation 100 S - Interrogation +10 200 S Interrogation Logic +20 200 S Logic +10 Requisition Exotic 200 R - Requisition Military 200 A - Resource Pool* 200 R -

Scholastic Lore (all available) 200 S -

Tech-Use +10 200 S Tech-Use

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Inquisitor

An Inquisitor has to chose an Ordos to operate as a functional member. This is where his primary area of interest lies. This is often the same as his

sponsor, but not always.

Ordos Hereticus hunt the traitors and the corruption that lies within the Imperium. They seek out those who would harm from within.

Ordos Xenos hunt those who would deal with the vile aliens that populate the galaxy. They also gather intelligence on aliens and their activities and try to thwart their plots through intrigue or brute force.

Ordos Malleus hunt the demonic forces that pollute the galaxy as well as monitor the other two ordos. They watch the watchers. You must have

reached a Veteran status to be inducted in to the ranks of the Ordos Malleus.

Absolute Authority 200 R - Air of Authority 200 T Fel 30 Armour of Contempt 300 T WP 40

Chem Geld 200 T -

Common Lore (all available) +20 200 S -

Contacts* 100 R -

Dodge +10 200 S Dodge

Exotic Weapon Training 200 T -

Fearless 300 T -

Forbidden Lore (all available) 200 S - Forbidden Lore (all available) +10 200 S - Furious Assault 200 T WS 35

Hardy 200 T T 40

Interrogation +20 200 S Interrogation +10

Interrogator 300 R -

Into the Jaws of Hell 300 T Iron Discipline Iron Discipline 200 T WP 30, Command Litany of Hate 300 T Hatred

Meditation 200 T -

Minor Psychic Power* 200 T Psy Rating 1

Psy Rating 1 300 T -

Requisition Adeptus Astartes 300 A - Requisition Assets 300 R - Requisition Imperial Navy 300 A - Requisition Rogue Traders 300 A - Resistance (Psychic Powers) 200 T - Resource Stream* 300 R - Scholastic Lore (all available) +10 200 S Scholastic Lore Scholastic Lore (all available) +20 200 S Scholastic Lore +10 Sound Constitution* 300 T -

Step Aside 300 T Ag 40, Dodge Strong Minded 300 T WP 30, Resistance (Psychic Powers)

Talented 200 T -

Tech-Use +20 300 S Tech-Use +10

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Veteran Inquisitor

A veteran has survived many investigations and has managed to survive in one of the most dangerous positions in the Imperium. Perhaps more

impressive than surviving contact with the enemy for so long, is surviving the political infighting that runs through so much of the Inquisition.

Arms Master 200 T BS 30, Basic Weapon Training (2)

Contacts* 100 R -

Dark Soul 300 S -

Decadence 200 T T 30

Disturbing Voice 200 T -

Dodge +20 200 S Dodge +10

Forbidden Lore (all available) +20 300 S Forbidden Lore +10

Heightened Senses 200 S -

Interrogator 300 R -

Master Orator 300 T Fel 30

Mimic 200 T -

Minor Psychic Power* 200 T Psy Rating 1

Peer (Inquisition) 400 T Fel 30

Power Well 300 R Psy Rating 2

Psy Rating 2 400 T Psy Rating 2

Psy Rating 3 500 R Psy Rating 3

Psy Rating 4 600 R Psy Rating 4

Psychic Power 400 R -

Resource Stream* 300 R -

Sound Constitution* 300 T -

Talented 200 T -

*These advances can be taken 3 times this rank

Inquisitor Lord

I have not detailed the advancements available to a Lord as they should probably include anything they already do not have available to them. Each at a cost of 500 xp. A lord has a great deal of respect in his Ordo. He may even be in a key position of leadership. At this level it is up to the GM to determine the power level available to each Inquisitor.

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Authority & Resource Advances

Acolyte Cell

Each rank in this resource gives you another cell of acolytes to work with. Each cell has 4 starting level characters in it of random backgrounds/careers. Cell Supervisor

Each rank in this resource gives you another cell supervisor who can co-ordinate your cells for you. They will build up a web of cells and contacts and feed you information that warrants your attention.

False Identity

Each rank in this resource provides you with a complete false identity that will check up under scrutiny from all but the most determined of investigators with the highest levels of access to adminstratum files. Each identity must be detailed. It also provides you with access to appropriate disguises. Interrogator

This resource provides you with a trainee Inquisitor who will operate under your supervision and authority. As and when you decide that he is ready for advancement he will become and ally instead your Interrogator. You can promote someone from a team of acolytes or ask for one to be assigned to you.

Inquisitorial Authority

You now carry an official Rossette of the Inquisition. It details your rank and authority provided by the Throne of Terra. It acts as an electronic decoder for top secret information and is tied to your biometric readings. It will provide you with nearly instant co-operation from almost any agency. Although your

identity will have been compromised if you use this. Requisition Basic Equipment

This resource allows you to requisition from your superior basic field equipment such as survival gear, vox, pistols and basic disguises. Resources

Each rank of this resource gives you an additional 100 thrones a month in pay.

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Resource Pool

Each rank in this resource provides you with a large deposit of readily available emergency funding. The funding is secured in a sector banking system and is accessible by your or a pre-arranged agent. Each Pool holds 20,000 thrones and once depleted it must be topped up by other methods Resource Stream

Each rank in this resource provides you with a stream of income that must be detailed. The stream is vulnerable if identified. It could be shares in a

merchant guild, siphoned funds from administratum accounts or funds from a noble title that you have manufactured. Each stream generates an income of 5000 thrones a month.

Requisition Adeptus Astartes

This authority allows you to request assistance from the nearest chapter of Space Marines. It also allows you to request assistance from one specific chapter. Obtaining this authority should be roleplayed in the form of an adventure. It should be earned and not just bought with xp. The chapter will send what assistance it can spare or deems appropriate. A contact of relevant stature should also be purchased.

Requisition Arbites

This authority allows you to request assistance from the local Arbites office. The office will not take kindly to being re-tasked to pointless roles and should be used in dire emergency only. They can be directed to arrest individuals based on any evidence you can produce.

Requisition Assets

Each rank in this resource allows you to obtain a major asset for your

permanent use. This can be anything from a secure base to a warp capable vessel. If you spend additional ranks on the same resource then increase the capabilities of that asset as agreed with the GM.

Requisition Enforcers

This authority allows you to exercise control over local enforcers, you do so through a special authority, but this may alert certain people to your presence. So be careful that you can trust who you requisition. It generally allows you to control a squad of 6 enforcers. Exceptional evidence may allow for greater numbers to be obtained.

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Requisition Exotic

This authority allows you to ask for very specific and rare pieces of equipment for field use. Anything from plasma pistols, psi shielding, power armour or forcefields. This should not be abused and the lending party may require the items back or request a favour for lending them in the first place.

Requisition Fleet Transport

This authority allows you to requisition transport for your team onboard a supply ship or some form of civilian transport for warp travel to non-prohibited Imperial worlds.

Requisition Imperial Navy

This authority allows you to requisition transport and assistance from a Naval vessel or battle group, depending on what is required and what is available. This is a formidable power and should go hand in hand with obtain a contact of relevant stature.

Requisition Military

This authority allows you to requisition Imperial Guard troops to your cause, this can be as little as a single unit or as large as an entire army. It depends on your cause and availability. It may take some time to assemble large forces. An appropriate contact should also be purchased.

Requisition PDF

This authority allows you the power to obtain co-operation from local PDF units. It should be used in exceptional circumstances only, as your Inquisitor will have to explain why they were commandeered.

Requisition Rogue Traders

This authority allows you to obtain the services of a Rogue Trader vessel in moving you around the galaxy. This comes with additional benefits, access to black market knowledge, uncharted trade routes out of Imperial Space and a very capable Captain and vessel.

Requisition Safe House

This resource allows you to obtain a safe house for use by your team. It will be shielded from vox thiefs and will have a secure armoury location. It will have enough rooms for each team member, a kitchen, toilet and a secure cell. It will also have room for a small workshop. No equipment is supplied.