I have a Tech Priest in my current campaign and I'm not entirely sure what to do with him. I would have preferred not to allow a PC Tech Priest at all but it was the career that mostly strongly interested the player.

My problem is this: I've always understood that the Adeptus Mechanicus are essentially an empire within an empire as far as the Imperium is concerned. In many ways they are an independent organization, distinct from but allied with the Adeptus Terra. As such, I see the Tech Priest as a free agent... almost a foreign citizen... who can't really be ordered around in the same way as the other characters. In fact, I think the "foreigner" aspect was part of what appealed to the player. He has a habit of playing the sardonic outsider in any rpg I've had him in (and in real life come to that).

Perhaps to complicate matters further, the characters in my game aren't acolytes of the Inquisition (so I can't fall back on 'the Inquisitor said so" even if I felt it was appropriate). The other characters are members of the the local Planetary Defense Force, currently assigned as members of a nobleman's command cadre. The Tech Priest was originally assigned to the same nobleman's household as an enginseer overseeing the house's manufactories and mechanical infrastructure, and became involved with the PDF troopers while jointly investigating an assassination-by-sabotage.

The investigation is (mostly) resolved now. Unfortunately, I'm not really sure what holds the group together now. I'm trying to figure out an IC reason to continue to include the Tech Priest in the group. Thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Tech-priests occupy an unusual position within the Imperium, it's true. However, while the AdMech do have semi-independence within the Imperium, they are also an integral part of it. TPs can be found throughout the Imperium, literally keeping the system up and running.

TPs can't just wander around the Imperium as they will. They are usually assigned to given tasks by their own masters - often to take care of a given machine or facility, or else to serve an Imperial authority. Even if he isn't working for a given noble/Inquisitor/administratum overseer, he can't just ignore Imperial officials who give him orders. If he does they are likely as not to shoot him in the face. The ad mech will register a token complaint, but that's about it. Anyone stupid enough to think he can get away with that kind of thing probably shouldn't be in the tech cult.

So, this TP character. You could have him assigned to work for the noble (to work as a tech 'troubleshooter'), or else seconded directly to the PDF unit (responsible for maintaining their equipment and dealing with any technology they might come across). If the former then he has to obey orders from the noble. If the latter then he can try to get away with disobeying the noble or any other authority if it conflicts with his duty to the machines of the PDF (but that's probably not a good idea).

Okay, so the original investigation is over, got it. But what is the group doing now? What is the story? A bit more info would be needed to figure out what to do with the tech priest, though, a generic answer is have the Noble ask the tech priest or petition his superiors to become a member of his retune (or how ever that damned word is spelled) to care for his pet simulcura or what ever other status symbol like tech the noble might have that would need maintenance. Failing that, dose the noble need a court wizard?

Since the original mission had the Techpriest's superiors assigning him to the Noble's entourage I have a simple question:

Were his orders ever countermanded, updated, changed or clarified?

If not then his continuing role as far as the Adeptus Mechanicus is concerned would be serving the designated noble as an Enginseer.

Perhaps even moreso than the Imperial Guard, servants of the Omnisiah are expected to OBEY superiors unquestioningly! You could always spice things up by slipping him "secret instructions" from his Mechanicus masters to discreetly investigate "questionable" dealings the Noble is rumoured to have with hereteks, forbidden xenos artifact trade or something like that. Maybe there is some truth to it, perhaps it is a total red herring?

Graver said:

The story so far involves a planetary noble who had the "radical" idea that if he gave his serfs (including his mutant thralls) good food, housing and basic education and health care they'll work better. He was assassinated by his brother for being too "weak" to govern. However, thanks to the PCs said brother's bid to seize the noble house has been defeated and he has been exiled. The original noblesman's son is now head of the house and plans to continue his late fathers agenda. He is opposed from within by more Puritan elements of his own household as well as by the Red Redemption, which has a foothold among the house serfs. Meanwhile, in the underhive, a rebellion (based on the Pale Throng from DotDG) is simmering.

The PCs have been acting as agents of the young nobleman (or more accurately of his seneschal who also served the late duke).

ZillaPrime said:

He was mandated to uncover the truth behind the duke's assassination (because truth is sacred and because the duke's house is one of the ten ruling dynasties of the planet... blah, politics). While there are still outstanding questions the Mechanicus would like cleared up, the official investigation is over.

Perhaps the AdMech owes the noble a debt and the noble would consider it settled if the techpriest was attached to his retinue semi-permanently (say, for the duration of the campaign) - after all, he already proved his worth so the noble might be trying to retain him.

I really fail to see the problem with techpriests - they're bound into another hierarchy, but the upper parts of said hierarchy do communicate with others and lending techpriests to other parties would probably be viewed just like lending pieces of tech, except that the techpriest can take care of himself and make sure nothing happens that is against the will of the Omnissiah.

@macd21

TPs can't just wander around the Imperium as they will. They are usually assigned to given tasks by their own masters - often to take care of a given machine or facility, or else to serve an Imperial authority. Even if he isn't working for a given noble/Inquisitor/administratum overseer, he can't just ignore Imperial officials who give him orders. If he does they are likely as not to shoot him in the face. The ad mech will register a token complaint, but that's about it. Anyone stupid enough to think he can get away with that kind of thing probably shouldn't be in the tech cult.

I disagree. Techpriests lent to imperial organizations will have very explicit contracts regarding what orders can or can't be given to them by their imperial "employers". If one of said employers punishes the techpriest for not doing something his contract didn't say he should have done, the AdMech will likely react poorly, precisely to show that they are not to be trifled with. This might range from demanding compensation for the loss of the priest to the exodus of any and all techpriests working for that employer or even, in extreme cases, boycotting anyone who continues to work with the employer, effectively ruining him.

The reasons for this are twofold: Firstly, because the AdMech is very insistent on its independence. They're even capable of keeping the inquisition at arm's length most of the time when it comes to their own premises. And secondly, because it's simply uneconomical to provide something for free when you can sell it - if a noble wants a techpriest not only to repair his machinery as specified in his contract, but also to engage in personal combat, he can **** well pay for that!

If you want to maroon the TP with the other PCs for indefinite future, consider following:

The tech-priests sponsor and superior Magus has died in accidental way and while clearing up the mess the Mechanicum found clues on possible techeresy he had been engaged in. All his students and workers have been rounded up by Skitarii and are on their way to be mind-read and mind-wiped. However, one of the now-dead Maguses friends managed to send the PC tech-priest a message telling that he is afraid his friend has fallen prey to internal intrugue and power struggle within Adeptus Mechanicum and warns the PC TP from returning home unless he wants to be rounded up and mind-wiped with everyone else "just to be sure". This friend has hacked into personnel records and made it look like PC TP is now actually his student... However, if PC returns home people would know him and this hacking would be uncovered, thus he has also hacked into employment records and written PC up for 5-year-pre-paid contract on nobles household to keep him safe and out of harms way.

Ask the TP Character what he would like to do as well.

Plus another idea is an official switchover to the PDF in direct work with the group as their own enginseer. Reason being, the original investigation is over but still more questions. This group being teh best to uncover them. AdMech keeps TP with group so that its questions can be answered.

@LuciusT
I don´t really see the problem. Please correct me the following assumption are wrong:

- the Tech-Priest in Question was ordered by his superiors to (basically) work for the "noblehouse X"
- the other PC have other thies that put them into the same position
- you want your further adventure be based on the politcal life and times of heir to said noble house.

If all of this is correct, I do not see the problem. The heir simply needs to order the PC (including the Tech-Priest) and the feudal system they are woven into makes them obey. Even if they are not ordered to do something, they simply need to perceive it. As a good vassal has to stand for his liege and act in his interest. In case of the Tech-Priest, his "lieges" interest is that he serves the heir.

The other thing to keep in mind is that while the Inquisition often tries to ask for help, as to keep people happy and keep resentment down, they are not above telling people to help. They have supreme authority over everyone - if the Inquisition considers it important enough to stop asking and start telling, then the the Tech-Priest cannot say no.

H.B.M.C. said:

Problem is, Lucius' game doesn't concern the Inquisition. Aside from that, the big =][= don't quite have as much power or pull with the Priesthood of Mars as they do with those who are properly a part of the Imperium. Sure, most tech-Priests are S.O.L if that tick off an Inquisitor, but they're in even worse shape if they tick off a Magus, never mind a Arch-Magus which even an Inquisitor has to step lightly around. Thus, they will tend to err on the side of their sect and master as opposed to an inquisitor. Likewise, a Magus or arch-Magus dose not tend to tolerate those Inquisitors of the Imperium rudely poking about in their affairs -they'll cooperate if asked nicely but be far less then helpful otherwise. Even if you're an Inquisitor, you don't want to make an enemy of an Arch-Magus (or, for a younger less powerful inquisitor without all the connections of the older veterans, a magus could pose a problem) and that goes for ruining their plans by hijacking their menials just as well as casting disparaging remarks in regards to how fat one's logic-engine is to their face.

I'd add some advice for Lucius, but I'd just be parroting what those above had already said.

@Graver

Important orthographic difference:

A Magos (pl. would probably be Magoi) is a major player in the Cult Mechanicus.

A Magus (pl. Magi) is a leader of a heretical sect, oftentimes a sorcerer.