What is an Inquisition? (WH40K, Acolyte of an inquisitor quest)

You reply to Kerra, "Fighting in melee is not for everyone. But it is necessary to learn with at least one weapon in the event someone gets into your personal space looking to do you harm." You take your laspistol and carefully hand it to Arron, and tell him "Arron, you must practice with this weapon every day, you must learn to shoot while laying prone, while walking or running, shoot it with one hand or with two, while your carrying a lot of weight, when you are exhausted, when you are distracted, and when you are carrying a second weapon, even a dummy training weapon. Before you get the wrong idea, kid, I am still working on many of these things myself. You will need to be able to do all of these things and more, to have a good chance of surviving as a servant of the emperor. Some planets citizens can be completely terrible in a fight, but that will never be us."

Positive disposition change with both.

------------

Later, in the tent of the Order Hospitaller .


Upon seeing your sisters, you greet them "Praise the Emperor that I have sisters as great as you. I am Novice Lucindia of the Chapel of the Emperor's Light, Order Militant. My companions are Runepriest Kerra of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Arron of the Schola Progenum class. We request aid, for we will soon return to the battlefield, if it pleases you, check us for any injuries as well as supplies which the guardsmen here will no longer need."

The sister feeding the soldier calls from the bedside, "Please take a seat, we will be with you momentarily. What mischief has a novice gotten into that has separated her from her Order in the company of a child and a Priest of Mars?"

[^] (Plan) plan name
-[/] (Response) write-in

After she checks you over, she smiles and says "You just have some bruising on your legs and arms, nothing to worry about. Try not to charge into a hail of gunfire in the future, novitiate. In any case you seem to have gathered some attention." She nods at you, then points with her hand at the man having his bone set previously. Now that he has your attention, he begins to speak "That is good advice sister." He says, then smiles at her from his position by the exit to the tent. "It would be even better if the situation never demanded we do, but this is not always the case as you know sister. I am Inquisitor Ludlo of the Ordo Hereticus." He reaches into his coat with his good arm and retrieves his symbol of office, the Inquisitorial Rosary and then continues to speak, "I am afraid that I will have need of your services, ladies. My retinue was ambushed by the forces of chaos cultists and mostly killed. Marie over there, and myself, the only survivors, and not without injuries." He says, while glancing at Marie's armless form. "I am invoking my authority as an Inquisitor to require your services temporarily. Long range communications have been cut off by many jamming devices throughout the city-forge. As a small group you have a better chance of making it through undetected. Using stealth and caution, make it through the hordes roaming the streets and make your way to The Ascent, the forge's largest shipping port, and make your way onto the crusier "Fury of the Blessed". There, you must speak to the captain and the master armsman. My orders to them are to disembark all troops to assist in rooting out the cultists, then to perform fire support mission for the Mechanicus on targets outside or near he edges of the city. The city is noy lost yet, so light ordinance only for targets within the city proper. Will you do this for me, and become my acolytes, ladies? Also, as targets of opportunity, please destroy any jamming stations you encounter." He finishes and waits for your response.

You feel stunned to meet an actual inquisitor. You never thought you would until much later in your career after you have had a chance to make a name for yourself.

[*] (Response to Inquisitor Ludlo) write-in

A/N: voting ends at 7 am Sunday. Will hve chapter out Sunday night.

+20 XP for finding Sororitas tent and speaking with the Inquisitor.

Before the inquisitor revealed himself –


"Sister, it is a glorious story of heroism and valor!" you begin, "I was at a manufactory helping to perform religious services for the workers as allowed by the Mechanicus when the attack began." You say, not mentioning that you also managed to find a good hiding spot for a nap in the process.

"I found a place to hide and survey the area when I heard the alarm go off. I waited while people were evacuating the building, until I saw that Genator Roblix and Runepriest Kerra began fighting the cultists that attacked the manufactory from the slave population kept there. Once they were distracted fighting them, I stepped in to assist them end the threat." You continued. "We left with haste after that, Ser Roblix leading our escape, when we encountered a dozen or more cultists chasing young Arron, there." You wave your hand in the direction of Arron, who smiles tightly. "The had come from the Schola Progenum, where they slaughtered the staff and children. There was at least one survivor. After slaughtering the cultists, we received the report of a few hundred well armed cultists at the schola, and decided to avoid them, as a matter of caution. The Imperium needed the intelligence more than it needed the lives of the heretics we could manage to send to the emperor." You finish by saying "That is the end of my tale, sisters, for we made our way here with no further trouble or sightings of the servants of chaos."

She nods to you and replies "You have done well, novice. You may yet go far." And after looking to her partner replies "I am Sister Hospitaller Ameius Porche, and my companion is Sister Superior Rahe Hophste. We are happy to receive you in our tent. I assume that you wish to get back to your order, novice?"

Before you can answer, the man being treated interrupts your conversation.

-Inquisitorial Interrupts with plot hook-
A/N: You're all caught up to the main story again, and continuing.

"I am honored to serve the God-Emperor by being assigned this holy task." You begin, "And while I am willing to do said duty there are some issues which i must raise for this mission to succeed. First, since it is a stealth mission, our current garb and equipment are not right for the tasks we will need to perform, we need darkened clothes or coats to wear over our current garments." You continue, while pointing to the bright red robes of the Mechanicum that Kerra still wears. "Also, your grace, we would also need the disposition of the enemy in the area as well as the latest intelligence available, if it pleases you." He smiles a bit, then outright laughs lightly a bit as you continue, "On this bases, and since speed is of the essence as well, we would need to procure a map, a guide, and a ride to get as close to the port as we can." You close with "Finally, we would need some sign or token from you so that once we get to the ship they will believe that the orders came from the Holy Inquisition and this is not a twisted plot."


"Oh, you certainly are bold, young sister. If you survive, I expect great things from you. Here, have some coin to help you make your preparation." He responds after he stops laughing. Then, he pulls from his belt a sack, before pulling a handful of thrones from it, all large denominations. He hands you 200 thrones in large denominations. Packing the rest back into the bag, he nods once to the Senior Sister. Turning around, his demeanor changes to one that radiates pain and horror, then stumbles out of the tent.

A/N: still working on the rest. Thought you guys deserved what I had ready. I'm sorry to keep you waiting on the rest. I promise here and now to have it out to you before end of day Thursday so you have time to contemplate next steps for the vote.

Before the inquisitor revealed himself –

"Sister, it is a glorious story of heroism and valor!" you begin, "I was a manufactory helping to perform religious services for the workers as allowed by the Mechanicus when the attack began." You say, not mentioning that you also managed to find a good hiding spot for a nap in the process.

"I found a place to hide and survey the area when I heard the alarm go off. I waited while people were evacuating the building, until I saw that Genator Roblix and Runepriest Kerra began fighting the cultists that attacked the manufactory from the slave population kept there. Once they were distracted fighting them, I stepped in to assist them end the threat." You continued. "We left with haste after that, Ser Roblix leading our escape, when we encountered a dozen or more cultists chasing young Arron, there." You wave your hand in the direction of Arron, who smiles tightly. "The had come from the Schola Progenum, where they slaughtered the staff and children. There was at least one survivor. After slaughtering the cultists, we received the report of a few hundred well armed cultists at the schola, and decided to avoid them, as a matter of caution. The Imperium needed the intelligence more than it needed the lives of the heretics we could manage to send to the emperor." You finish by saying "That is the end of my tale, sisters, for we made our way here with no further trouble or sightings of the servants of chaos."

She nods to you and replies "You have done well, novice. You may yet go far." And after looking to her partner replies "I am Sister Hospitaller Ameius Porche, and my companion is Sister Superior Rahe Hophste. We are happy to receive you in our tent. I assume that you wish to get back to your order, novice?"

Before you can answer, the man being treated interrupts your conversation.

-Inquisitorial Interrupts with plot hook-
A/N: You're all caught up to the main story again, and continuing.

"I am honored to serve the God-Emperor by being assigned this holy task." You begin, "And while I am willing to do said duty there are some issues which i must raise for this mission to succeed. First, since it is a stealth mission, our current garb and equipment are not right for the tasks we will need to perform, we need darkened clothes or coats to wear over our current garments." You continue, while pointing to the bright red robes of the Mechanicum that Kerra still wears. "Also, your grace, we would also need the disposition of the enemy in the area as well as the latest intelligence available, if it pleases you." He smiles a bit, then outright laughs lightly a bit as you continue, "On this bases, and since speed is of the essence as well, we would need to procure a map, a guide, and a ride to get as close to the port as we can." You close with "Finally, we would need some sign or token from you so that once we get to the ship they will believe that the orders came from the Holy Inquisition and this is not a twisted plot."


"Oh, you certainly are bold, young sister. If you survive, I expect great things from you. Here, have some coin to help you make your preparation." He responds after he stops laughing. Then, he pulls from his belt a sack, before pulling a handful of thrones from it, all large denominations. He hands you 200 thrones in large denominations. Packing the rest back into the bag, he nods once to the Senior Sister. "Take this token, and present it to the captain and only the captain. Tell him Excelsior Omega." Turning around, his demeanor changes to one that radiates pain and horror, then stumbles out of the tent.

After he is well and truly gone, you turn to the Sister who has been most friendly and talkative with you, and ask "Do you have a moment to speak to me, in consultation?" She nods her head, then ushers you to a small partitioned "office" within the tent, offering the illusion of privacy without any actual privacy.


"Was that man truly an Inquisitor? And if he is an inquisitor, what was he doing here and not leading some quest against the damnable cultists?!" You whisper fiercely to Ameius. She must have seen some of the desperation and confusion you felt on your face because her demeanor softens momentarily before whispering back to you, "He is the inquisitor Ludlo (LUDLO). His retinue was leading an operation against these heretics when the fighting broke out. Apparently, the inquisition badly underestimated the number of cultists. They brought a small regiment of fighting men, and were slaughtered nearly to the last man. Nearly 5,000 guardsmen started this fracas with an assault on all known cultists. Only 200 or so survived to the end of the day, after the true number of cultists counter-attacked and the assets of the cult here on planet began revolting en-masse. He may not have shown it to you, but he takes the loss of so many citizens under his command hard." She begins, continuing "Yes, he is not maintaining secrecy. I can't say why for sure, but I think he may have stopped caring about that, at some point today."

You nod as you hear her opinion and ask her "Where do you think I can find individuals to recruit for this mission?"

She visibly considers it for a moment, before saying, "I would recommend asking the Administratum for assistance finding some likely recruits. There are mainly guardsmen and tech-priests here. On the other hand, you might be able to find some mercenary souls if you ask the various peddlers for assistance."

You nod again and say "Thank you for the advice, sister."

You follow the sister out of the "office" and into the main tent area. You ask Kerra, "We need to plan out how we are going to get this mission accomplished. Tell me, what skills you think we will need?"

She makes a show of pausing to think, like she didn't just hear the conversation over a short temporary wall inside of a tent. You appreciate the effort, at least. Eventually she responds "I'm thinking we need someone who knows the city, someone who knows their way around weapons, and someone who is good at hiding and sneaking, who can lead us through the city inconspicuously. Are there any skill sets you think we might need Lucindia?" returning your question.

[÷] Plan name
-[-] respond to Kerra


After saying your piece, you turn to Arron and smile at him. "Arron, I have been assigned a holy task and it is probably a suicide mission. I do have a holy task for you, however. Please train yourself in the use or the las pistol and the chainblade" you tell him, then hand him the chainblade from your belt. Then you continue "make yourself useful to the Hospitallers, and discreetly gather/recover discarded/misplaced but useful gear. Additionally, observe everyone as my eyes and ears in the camp and report to me or Kerra, when we get back. If somebody asks you what you are doing with the gear you are collecting, tell them that he is gathering equipment to aid the servants of the Emperor in bringing the fight to the Enemy." Then you pat him on the head, and exit the tent with Kerra.

-[$] Let's (stay together/split up) while recruiting.
-[%] Lets get someone with (SKILL) first.
-[_] How will you look for the right person?
-[^] Anything else?

Voting is over Friday night at 10 pm.

You respond to Kerra with "You have summed up the situation neatly, but we may also need a vehicle and a driver to expedite the mission." You begin, and Kerra's face lightens up a bit. " I can drive, I may not be as good as Roblix, but I am certainly trained and practiced at it." She says. You smile back then continue "I would like for you to be the team medicae as well." Her smile falls a little before she responds, "I have no training as a medicae. Some of the Myrmidex become medicae, but not all. We may find a Biologis tech-priest here, but we may not. This is primarily a war-priest encampment of the Myrmidex. And I am a Runepriest – Myrmidex. The fighting arm, and the warmasters of the Mechanicus. I am sorry, sister." (You learn a bit about the Mechanicus)

You slowly nod at the new information. "Thank you, Kerra. Please, go explain the situation to Roblix, and see if he has any advice or supplies we can use. Ask about borrowing the vehicle as well." Then you take the pouch of thrones from your belt and hand them to Kerra, trusting her with the funds gifted to you by the Inquisition. "Also, take this money and go find yourself some darker robes and any other supplies we may need. Let me recommend a combat vest for each of us, and an auspex for you to use. And we can never have too many grenades, so get an assortment of them, too."

Now, you are ready to go find your other sister, from the Order Famulous. It is likely that she is of some higher rank, being allowed to sit in on command meetings. You begin walking towards the tower in thr middle of the makeshift camp. That is where Roblix entered to speak to the command council. Your walk is over quickly, arriving again at the tower. Your micro-bead crackles to life momentarily "I've contacted Roblix, and will be meeting him soon. Over." Kerra's voice is transmitted over the holy device. "Understood. Over and out" You reply using the ritual words to end communication. You pass by the groundcar you arrived in, and slip into the foyer of the tower. It's a bustle of activity with guardsmen, PDF, and tech priests busily scurrying to and fro. You make it quite some distance before you are even challenged, and that is by some grizzled veteran who looks perturbed that his subordinates haven't taken care of you before. "Halt. Who goes there." He begins the interaction..

[/] plan name
-[^] (response)
--how much do you reveal of your mission
--do you lie about who you are or what you are here to do?

--


You continue on, after the encounter looking for the Sister Famulous. You find her 10 minutes later on the third floor.

"Hail sister!" you exclaim after your search ends. The sister is clad in suggestively cut leather clothing with some obvious technology on her hip, but you have no idea what it could be. She turns to you, from the map she is evaluating and says "Novice, I see you have managed to find me. The birds have told me that you have received a holy quest for moderate importance. Tell me, child, why have you sought out Palatine Famulous Reba Achis, Chapel of Noble Bloodlines, Order of the Gate?" She asks you with a smile on her face.


You know that Palatine is the highest ranking officer on a planet for any minor or major order, generally. You know the chapel is just the base of operations for the famulous on the planet. You know that the Order of the Gate is one of the major famulous orders, of the Convent Sanctorum. Your own Order of the Thundering Heart is a minor order of the Orders Militant, of the Convent Sanctorum.

"Lady Achis; I, the novice Lucindia, appear before you this day to request any assistance you may allow. Specifically, a map, or other means of finding our target, some small number of fighting men, and supplies."


She listens to your words, then says to you with a hint of darker humor, "You are audacious young pup." She holds a hand out to her right, and the younger gentleman standing there hands her the dataslate he was carrying and she asks "Well, give me your dataslate so I can put a map on it for you." You smile gently and retrieve it from your belongings and hand it to Lady Achis. She performs some arcane ritual and the map transfers to your dataslate a moment later. A "Ding" accompanying the transfer. She hands it back to you before returning her attention to the large map. She tells you distractedly "It might be a wise idea to speak to Corporal Horrk of Easy company. They recently have had too many losses to be returned to battle anytime soon. This should be well within their capabilities, but you will need to sell them on this duty. I have no command authority over them."

You step away lightly and exit the building as hastily as you can without attracting too much attention. The only thing you can think of is, how do I find easy company, as you slide the dataslate back into your bag. You step out into the growing darkness of the camp, as the sun completes its setting over the horizon.

-[/] What is your next set of goals.
--[&] How will you complete those goals?
--[%] Prioritize them as you would like to see then done (first thing on top, etc.)

A/N: I did not write out the last bit because your character got the sense that the Lady Achis' patience was ending and that you needed to beat feet to not wear out your welcome.

Voting ends at 10 pm CST Friday.