Inquisitor 2.0? - An update and call for contribtions

[precinctomega]

Old hands on the Conclave will no doubt recall that there was much discussion over 2009 and 2010 about a project known as Inquisitor 2.0 or INQ2.  But in about the Summer 2010, all talk abruptly ceased.

I began the project following discussions with Jervis Johnson and Gav Thorpe and was lucky enough meet them both at the IGT '09 and to receive Studio permission to proceed with a view to the finished product potentially replacing the original rulebook on the Specialist Games section of the website.

Sadly, in August 2010, I received news from Jervis that GW's legal position on core materials produced outside the Studio had changed and that the plug was being pulled on all such projects (Bloodbowl and Epic suffered from similar withdrawals of official acknowledgement).  As I was, at that time, finalizing the first draft of the rules of my own miniature wargame and making preparations to release my own miniatures range, I decided to wash my hands of the whole thing and leave the project in abeyance.

However, with the 10th Anniversary of Inquisitor fast approaching and with my own game now well in hand (and thanks to all the Conclavers who've bought a copy!), I've recently been pricked to turn my attention back to INQ2.

The plan will be to release it as a PDF download broken into, initially, three and then later four sections, those being the Core Rules, the Armoury and the Dark Millennium (the characters and GM section), with a subsequent Hobby section following up at the end of 2011.

What's still to happen?

Well, first of all, I need a host.  Although I've not yet asked, I'm fairly sure that Dark Magenta will be happy to do that bit.

Secondly, I need GW Legal to sign off on the appropriate disclaimers.

Third, I need artwork and colour text.  The former I've pretty much got covered with some excellent contributors from deviantArt.  However, if you have any fully-realized art pieces in black and white or colour that are relevant to the Inquisitor background and which you think would have a place in a new edition of the rules, then please let me know and I'll give them a look.  As for the colour text, however, I'd particularly like to throw this open to the Conclave:

I need everything from short snippets, quotes, thoughts for the day and character concepts through to short fiction.  If you're interested in contributing, please add your contribution to this thread.  Look through the existing rulebook for ideas and make up your own.  Ideally these will be 10-200 words long.  I will contact the best contributors with requests for longer, additional or expanded pieces and every selected contributor will receive acknowledgement by Conclave username in the finished document.

I will also select three contributors whom I feel have made the most valuable contribution (this will be by the quality of their contribution, so length may or may not be a contributing factor) to the colour text to receive a free Inquisitor model of their choice from the available Games Workshop range.

R.

EDIT - Thanks for offers.  I already have a highly-qualified proofreader and editor who will also be handling layout and suchlike on the finished galleys.  It's just colour text that I'm really after at the moment.

[Ulgavitch]

Hi,

I can provide colour text, no problem. I'll add it to a reply once I've written it.

What are you like a text layouts and copy editing? I'm currently training to become a editor and arranger, do you need a hand with that? Fan built documents are famous for having copy-editing issues, so can I work with you to make sure this has the highest quality possibly?

Also, what document arrangement program are you using? Have you decided about style guides?

Drop me a PM for this, I hope I can help.

K

[Wifstrand]

I currently study English and Organizational Communication and would be happy to help with proofreading and anything else you might need help with.

[Ynek]

I recently sent a handful of art pieces to Dark Magenta as part of an article, and also in response to their plea for art submissions.

The standard of my work isn't exactly up to that of the GW studio artists, but if DM is on-board with this project, it might be appropriate for me to hand those pieces of art over to you also.

DM's submissions guide does state that any art/articles submitted to them become their property, and thus, are theirs to do with as they see fit, but I'm not sure if this constitutes an exclusivity contract or if it's simply an unlimited, nonexclusive contract for use of the work.

In short, I have some art that you're welcome to, but I've already handed them over to DM, and I'm not 100% sure where the line is drawn in the sand, and I'd hate to offend anyone.

However, if DM consent to host the rulebook, this would probably be a moot point, as they would simply be playing host to their own artworks....

P.S. I notice that GW legal has a bit of a habit of saying: "Yeah, go ahead. Great idea!" and then changing their mind when the project is finished. That's pretty much what happened to Damnatus...

[RobSkib]

Aha! I was wondering when this thread would arrive after all the namedrops recently

I'd love to contribute, but I don't know how much use I'd be. Most of my ideas are rehashes of old ideas, or just when I think I have something awesome in the works, someone beats me to the punch and posts it up here first, making any attempts to be original look limp and half arsed. Sadface.

Still, it can't be said that I'm not prolific. Even if they're not brilliant ideas, I have faaaaasands of 'em [/michael caine] and I could knock up a .doc with a whole bunch of little ideas and if any are good, you can nick them. Answers on a postcard to the usual address? Or do you have a different email you'd like me to send them to?

[precinctomega]

Stick them all here, please.

R.

[GAZKUL]

happy to help with proofreading and anything else you might need help with.

ditto, my dad makes semi kits for the model boat market out of the barn and I've been proofreading his instruction manuals for years.

[precinctomega]

Thank you for the offers, but, as mentioned, I already have a proofreader/editor.  I need colour text. If you want to be helpful, make some up and post it here.

R.

[MarcoSkoll]

And now it sounds like you're going to fall foul of Muphry's law (and yes, I do mean Muphry, not Murphy).
Namely: "The chance of any proffraeding error is directly proportional to its irony".

I'll tell you what, they certainly could have done with extra proofreaders for the Dark Heresy books...

[psycho]

Ill be happy to provide any text you need pal....kinda a bit of a hobby of mine simply to write lil snippets of Background...none of it makes a whole lot of sense when put together but hey ho

kerby

[Heroka Vendile]

It's good to hear Inq2 isn't completely dead Robey  

As a quick aside, would this topic perhaps be better placed in Dark Millennium? Seeing as it's more background/fiction related than to the actual rules of the game?

I guess seeing as no one else has yet I'll post a block of stuff I've been written since reading the OP on Saturday, hopefully get the ball rolling from other people

Of course one assumes it is of no importance whether the stuff anyone puts forward has appeared online before, just so long as sole ownership is currently the writers? If so I'd suggest maybe directly asking some of the 'clave Short/Long story winners/entrants of the past directly if they'd allow their piece(s) to be used, as there's certainly top notch stuff to be taken from there (although of course most is MIA online with the various dead conclaves of recent years).

Anyhow, have some short colour text of varying quality, complete with my permission for alterations to be made if so-wished:




"Trust in your gun as you trust in your Emperor, and it will protect your families as much as your faith will protect your eternal soul." — Father Ophael to the P.D.F. during the zombie plague outbreak on Gesdon.


"You'd be surprised the lengths a Rogue Trader will go to for the right treasure." — Anon.


"Who says we should fight fair? A good scrap's like a good game of dice — always make sure it's loaded in your favour." — Leo "Fist" Jopha, pit fighter.


"Me? No, I don't know anything about any anti-government groups in this city. Not a clue. However I do find I remember stuff better with a heavier coin purse..." — Rex Stubbs, Black marketeer.


"I am the Emperor-ordained King of these people. I can trace my lineage all the way back to King Alforsa who pledged my families eternal allegiance to the God-Emperor himself. And whether or not the people support my actions I will not abdicate, no matter how much they demand it and you threaten me Inquisitor!" — final words of King Aldassian XIV of Havenport prior to his summary execution by Inquisitor Velheim.


"The choices an Inquisitor must make are dreadful. If I make but a single error of judgement, the population of an entire city or planet might fall to one of the many insidious enemies of the Imperium of Man. So far, I believe I have always made the right choices, but good fortune will always run out eventually, it is just a matter of when..." — Inquisitor Largs


"Our task is not fighting on the front lines, toiling among the crops, preaching the Imperial Creed, nor expanding the Imperiums realms. No, our task is to search the hidden places for the footprints of our ancestors, that we might drag humanity out from its fear of technology and back to the level of mastery once held by our forbears." — extract from the testimony of Magos Waltric while on trial for encouraging and funding heretek activities in the Ardos system.


The Saphian Courtesans are an all-female organisation known throughout the corridors of power in the Cordax Sector as being the most enchanting and alluring of women, trained in all the delicacies required when moving in high society.
However they are hired by the rich as much for their deadliness as their beauty. Be it as bodyguard, hand maiden, assassin or entertainment, the Courtesans will always find much employment within the twisted webs of family honour, politics and raw ambition that drives people of influence.


The son of navy officers, Fabian Van Nurda was schooled by a Schola Progenum; enjoyed a successful career in naval intelligence; became attached to the staff of Inquistor Samson; and was eventually granted the seal himself.
As an Inquisitor, he led numerous purges across entire Sectors against the heretic, the mutant and the traitor during over a century of service. Thousands of the unworthy on dozens of worlds died by his orders.
And yet this accomplished man died in his sleep, stabbed by a jealous lover that suspected him of having relations with another of his acolytes.
Despite all his power and ability, Inquisitor Fabian Van Nurda was just a man. Fragile, complex and driven by emotions.


Charden, a paradise planet to the coreward edge of the Ultima segmentum, bursting with verdant wildlife and a peaceful populace. Even such a perfect place as this can become a haven of corruption. In 266 M38 rebellion stirred and the populous pledged allegiance to chaos. Now Charden is a cratered and lifeless rock. Such is the power of an Inquisitors ultimate weapon. Exterminatus.


The xeno race known to the Imperium as the Ukorro are renowned for three things; sniping ability, customised sniper rifles and body odour.
Mercenaries of the species will often find employment from those with a less xenophobic outlook than the average imperial citizen, although their strong musk does usually curb making many friends.
These creatures prize their unique guns above all else, so much so that many would prefer loosing a limb than the rifle they have spent half a lifetime tweaking and modifying.

[Ulgavitch]

Here are a few bits of colour text - I'll add some more when it's written. Feel free to use, alter or abuse.

Also, can we make this a sticky thread? It'd be easier not to have to keep hunting it down!

______________________________________________

Ignorance is more powerful that Knowledge.

Knowledge brings Doubt.

Knowledge Shared is Knowledge Tainted

There is such a thing as too much knowledge

Pity the man who knows too much. Exploit the man who knows nothing.

Compromise is another word for Defeat.

Do not seek humanity where none exists. Seeking kinship with the xeno will open you to their manipulations. Do not see human feeling in that which has none. They do not know love, or pity, or honest human hate. For that affront alone, destroy them without regard.
Inquisitor Invictius, at the Trollepone Conclave upon the growing Eldar Threat.

Humanity amongst the stars is beset by endless innumerable foes. For men to know all these threats would drive them to madness. A man must know the dangers ahead of him. He must never know the threats closing in on every side.
Inquisitor Lady Chaleen ‘Prelude to Documentum Xenos’

Pray the Xeno just kill you. In this dark universe, that is the most merciful of ends.
-Inquisitor Radical Usuan, former prisoner of the Dark Eldar Corsairs.

And so it came to the light and the dark – Sister Gertrud and the Daemon Jis’liann’an. As the world beneath burned in the fires of righteousness, the saint and the monster didst meet in battle atop of the Spire of the World. Though struck sixty six times, Gertrud’s sword did not for a moment waver. The daemon was slain and the light of the God-Emperor triumphed. Dying Gertrud didst then instruct a mausoleum risen upon the now dead world. Saint Gertrud still guards this planet, where man does step no longer.
The Martyrdom of St. Gertrud, Liber Malleaus, Chamber Militant Edit.   

A flamer is the best instrument of interrogation.
Inquisitor Turnus during the purging of Macintyre.

This heretical machine is no prayer to the Omnissah, Magos. I find it to be diabolical extremis, and will have it destroyed. If you attempt to prevent this, I will put your world to the sword. Do not doubt me. Billions of lost souls attest to the truth of my words.
Inquisitor Bulgania, during the Salient Worlds Interregnum. 

The Emperor Protects ... There are many facts in the universe, spread across all three branches of our great and glorious Inquisition. They are often fragmentary and contradictory, so should be treated with care … But there is only one truth: The Emperor Protects. Know this, Inquisitors, and you know everything.
The dying words of Inquisitor Lord Nurelius.

Never contradict an Imperial Inquisitor. They are far more dangerous than can possibly be imagined.
Page One, Imperial Administrum Introductory Treatise

Oh look, it’s just a little girl. Shouldn’t you be in the pleasure gardens dressed like that? I don’t like that mask … ‘ere, she’s got a knife! Shoot her –
Last words of unidentified guards slain by Sevora and Severa.

The Emperors most Holy Inquisition orders the command of my company? Tell them no. If they want our help, they should learn to ask a little more politely.
Astartes Captain Brother Amis, Crimson Guard Chapter.

Unlimited authority is a funny thing. You can shout about it all you like, but it won’t get you through a locked door. That takes assistance and that's always better if it’s willing. Authority is only useful as far as it's not abused.
Inquisitor Lampanda, later tried for heresy in Conclave Vultona.

Conclaves decide nothing, especially when trying to agree on killing someone. I find it much easier to kill the person first and then let the conclave argue about it later. That way they can’t reverse your decision.
Inquisitor March, later proved wrong after being hunted down and executed by Conclave Cestus IV.     

You will be wounded, you will be hurt, your soul may be torn and left riven. But the will, the will is all. It will drive you on when lesser men will have fallen aside or died. If you have the unstoppable will, the will to truly do anything, then all of creation and the gods themselves are at your command.
Inquistor Augustus ‘Audience with Conclave Elessium’

Adeptus Soritias – prudish and dull. Very loyal though. Not as pretty as one would think.   
Adeptus Astartes – Prickly, inflexible and huge. Do not cross them.
Adeptus Arbites – Couldn’t find grass in a field. Occasionally good shots.
Adeptus Administratum – It’s always quicker to find it yourself. Trust me.
Adeptus Munitorum – Never, ever able to find find the keys to the armoury.
Ecclesiarchy – Apply here for loonies, zealots, nutters and people with voices in their heads. They all thinks the Emperor is speaking to them. He’s really not.
Schola Progenium – Apply here for those who have had the intelligence trained out of them. They will die quite cheerfully.
Adeptus Mechanicus – Only if you really, really like engines.
Imperial Guard – Don’t bother learning their names.
Inquisition – Us.
Inquisitor Wrexhee’s ‘Unofficial Guide to Imperial Bureaucracy’. Later declared Liber Extremis, and all copies were hunted down and destroyed.     

edit - changed it to the right department of the Imperium. Thanks for the tip.

[MarcoSkoll]

While that last one is quite funny, I imagine you mean "Munitorum" rather than "Ministorum" - the Ministorum is perhaps better known as the Ecclesiarchy, very next on the list. Obviously, derived from Munitions & Ministers, which is the best way to work out if you've mixed them up.

[Myriad]

These are all making amusing reading  .  keep it up.  Just a couple of bits of colour text that spring to mind, based round my own character's backgrounds.

"Naturally I killed them all.  Some of them were heretics." 
Inquisitor Lok Andreseyn to an inquisitorial tribunal investigating the annihilation of an imperial outpost.

"You probably killed Lok.  That means you're useful.  See that you stay that way"
Inquisitor Torquemeda, on affirming Inquisitor Evandon Iet's rank.

[Adlan]

'Much study is weariness of the flesh' -
Magos Philipiens 4-7, later executed for experimenting with Abomnible Intelligence.

Ah, biblical puns.