I think you need to think in two parts of the punishment. First the preventive messure, and then the corrective one.

This punishment think can be the seed of a nice story. For example, when i had a similar situation, my inquisitor decided that all the retinue, except for the most responsible member, will wear an explosive collar from now on. Now that all the PC are mad against the "bad desition-taker", the inquisitor says: "Now is the time for you to decide your brother´s faith. As the Left Fist of the Emperor is your right and your duty to do so. I want him alive, because I still have plans for him, but be fair or my warth will be against you"

This idea will give allow you to have a very interessting trial. I have 7 PCs in my story and belive me that 6 heads thinking about a punishment are better than one.

Always remember that the purpose of everything in the RPGs is just to tell a cool story and have fun.

Keep rolling!!!

Wizard of Oz said:

Quite right. Thanks, but I've already played it all out, and taken most of said measures. The main perpetrator of the whole thing is now "exorcised", while the two accomplices got to take a "temporary trip into the void ... without a voidsuit ... until one of the non-guilty parties agreed to take responsibility for their actions. At which point they were hauled back in, patched up, and fitted with internal explosive brain implants (less obvious that way, so they can still do covert missions), and the detonator given to the one who agreed to be responsible for them. And they all know that any similar screw-ups in the future, by any of them, will result in immediate termination. Jezail (their Inquisitor) is not at all happy about having had to burn influence because of them. But they are a valuable resource, so ... that's their one "on her". The next one's on them.

Unfortunately I didn't see this post until now. Though even after this I do have a suggestion for either a different inquisitor or the like should something happen to the current Inquisitor they serve. That is one who decides "You've failed me with all the benefits I granted you. Let's see how you perform with out my help". And on the next mission, have that person go in armed only with his knowledge and the clothing on his back. 'Course that or let them understand that the price for failure is to become the body-guard of said Inquisitor , ala Penitent Engine or Arco-Flagelation.

Serimus Bodikan said:

Thanks for the input. I'll keep it in mind if another group of characters "acts the fool" in DH. The current group all knows that another "stupid move" without a very very good reason will result in the offending parties being servitorized, or just spaced ... if there isn't enough left of them to make a servitor out of.

Not at all a problem, trust me, I understand. But generally my group surprisingly enough is a smart enough group not to mess up, and if they do. They take care of it very quickly.

Well, for anyone who cares about the outcome of said punishment: Wow! I think I may have gone overboard a bit! At least with the instigator and his primary accomplice. You have never seen such a timid, meek bunch of Acolytes! Sheesh! The past three sessions, they don't do anything they are not explicitly ordered to do. But that's okay, they are starting to understand that she still expects them to show initiative, but only when coupled with common sense.

The third co-conspirator, however, has grown bitter and surly over it, since he is the one that first decided to inform the inquisitor of what was about to happen ... at least until she stepped in. But, such is life. Ya can't have everything, I suppose.

And there is still a very disappointed and legendary assassin coming for them, so ...

To which I must respond in the usual fashion, "Pray to the Emperor and pass the ammunition".