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Psykers in the Adeptus Arbites - is there a precedent?

Started by Van Helser, July 06, 2010, 05:59:06 PM

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Van Helser

Good evening one and all.

I'm currently obsessing over the Adeptus Arbites, and in the process of creating a new character or two, I suddenly thought how interesting a psychic Arbitrator would be.  Telepathic interrogators and psykers able to recreate crime scenes would surely be of use to the Arbites.  I've had a brief search of the literature but can't find anything on their existence.  Anyone know of a source that might confirm their being, or throw the idea right out of the window? 

If they are definitely not part of the Arbites then I can see them utilising psykers from the Scholasticas without trodding on the canon too much.

If there is a window for adding this branch to the long arm of the law, then a wee Dark Magenta article may be in order to introduce a few new chaps to the ranks of the Arbitrators: "Enunciators" that rip the truth from the minds of the accused; "Augurs" that piece together the identity of the heretics from a few scattered articles in a dank sewer, and even "Seekers" that can track the minds of their quarry thousands of kilometres away.

Thanks in advance

Ruaridh

MarcoSkoll

#1
Well, as the Arbites are drawn from the Schola Progenium, which evaluates all candidates for psychic potential, I'd say the idea of a psychic Arbitrator is unlikely.

However, I would say it's entirely reasonable that sanctioned psykers could be attached to the staff of a precinct, although they'd likely not enjoy the title of actually being considered an Arbitrator.
Basically, I'd treat it much like sanctioned psykers are attached to the Imperial Guard - watched very carefully, used sparingly, and not actually considered part of the normal structure of things.

Of course, you certainly mustn't let me talk you out of writing any such article. I'd like to see the idea of sanctioned psykers explored further so that psyker background might advance further than "was picked out of the Blackships" or "was found by an Inquisitor before the Blackships got there".

Both are getting pretty tired, and it would be nice to see more psykers who were actually doing some other job before the Inquisition turned up.
S.Sgt Silva Birgen: "Good evening, we're here from the Adeptus Defenestratus."
Captain L. Rollin: "Nonsense. Never heard of it."
Birgen: "Pick a window. I'll demonstrate".

GW's =I= articles

Van Helser

I suppose I should elaborate on the whole "psychic Arbitrator" concept - these would be Sanctionites inducted into the Adeptus Arbites and given full training on the tenets of the Law before entering into service.  They would probably begin their careers pounding the streets in full carapace with a combat shotgun before they would start being allowed to focus and train their powers.  The Lex Imperialis should always come first, no matter what a particular Arbitrators powers are.

I'm aware that this might not rub with the established universe, but as you say, Sanctioned psykers being attached to the Adeptus Arbites isn't too difficult an idea to swallow.

Ruaridh

MarcoSkoll

Quote from: Van Helser on July 06, 2010, 06:44:12 PMThey would probably begin their careers pounding the streets in full carapace with a combat shotgun before they would start being allowed to focus and train their powers.
Not necessarily an idea that sits all that well with me. Sanctioned psykers in the Guard don't get issued flak armour and a lasgun, and be expected to shoot X number of bad guys before they get given their force rod and actually allowed to do some psychic chicanery.
The Imperium's general distrust for psykers means most psykers sit outside the normal structure of things, specialising on tasks that non-psykers cannot do.

Sure, they'd certainly get a very through education on the Lex Imperialis, but I'm not sure they'd necessarily be doing the enforcing of it directly - more a case of being a psychic bloodhound for the "normal" Arbitrators.
That said, you would probably get a few "battle" psykers, who get called out when they've got another psyker that needs to be brought in (although largely for defence).

But I do like the basic principles. I can see the possibility of doing a character along the lines of "psychic bloodhound for the Arbites" myself.
S.Sgt Silva Birgen: "Good evening, we're here from the Adeptus Defenestratus."
Captain L. Rollin: "Nonsense. Never heard of it."
Birgen: "Pick a window. I'll demonstrate".

GW's =I= articles

N01H3r3

Quote from: MarcoSkoll on July 06, 2010, 06:18:15 PM
Well, as the Arbites are drawn from the Schola Progenium, which evaluates all candidates for psychic potential, I'd say the idea of a psychic Arbitrator is unlikely.
That argument could be used to preclude Psykers from every branch of Imperial service - Sanctioned Psykers exist only as part of the Scholastica Psykana, and are subsequently assigned to serve alongside other organisations. Psykers in Guard armies aren't Guardsmen; similarly, psykers working for the Arbites wouldn't be Arbitrators.
Contributing Writer for many Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay books, including Black Crusade

Professional Games Designer.

DapperAnarchist

I'd imagine that the place of psykers in the Arbites is much like the place of CSI in modern american policing - whatever the TV show tells you, they are not cops, they don't carry guns (except privately owned ones), they don't have a badge, just an ID card, and they're only working to contract.
Questions are a burden to others, answers a burden to oneself.

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Van Helser

I can deal with psykers on loan as a solution.

Now, to find time to write an article...

Ruaridh

mrstevetic

#7
From what I've read through the Wiki's and the what not it is highly unlikely to find a Psyker in the Adeputs Arbites unless you're looking at the Detectives in which case you'd find maybe less than a handful of Psykers

edit: added source
http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Adeptus_Arbites