So, my players are a good long step away from ascension. Probably be many adventures before they step into that role. But I would like to gradually get them ready for their eventual responsibilities, as well as weed out who really might make a good interrogator/inquisitor, and who needs to be happily left firing combat shotguns down the hallway. Of course, I want to provide awesome plots, but as they get closer to ascension (and finally ascend) I want them to have more and more control over their own destiny and directions.

Right now thier inquisitor gives them reasonably prescriptive instructions, albeit with some leeway to use assets he has provided. I plan their next big arc to be somewhat more independent, but still directive in nature (albeit with their inquisitor taking more of their reccommendations). That should leave 2-3 arcs and a few one offs. There will still be some directed missions in there, but I'm wondering on various ways it would be acceptable to make players more and more self starting while still working for their inquisitor. By the time they reach ascended status, I would love to be able to have them pursuing their own ends, and have drive the plot.

Ideas?

Any pitfalls to look out for?

Other GM tricks of the trade?

The campaign I am building will have a similar, though slightly different, progression.

At the lower levels the =I= is a distant master and the team is largely autonomous and the Influence of the =I= will be used to provide remote assistance and plot arcs, and it will be him who dishes out the mission parameters (such as covert/overt action, whether they can interface with the planetary governors etc). As the team progresses through the ranks their master will get them closer to him (only planets away instead of systems) and doing more important tasks/missions.

By the time they’re half way through Rank 7, and possibly even somewhere at Rank 8, the =I= will start having the team as his personal cadre. At these high levels he will be looking to exalt one character to Interrogator and will remain in the background to give the players room to shine (he will essentially be a combat support unit with extra benefits, but will be used very sparingly given how powerful Inquisitors are). Missions will still be determined by the =I= but the parameters will open up for the characters to decide. Ultimately he will have the final say in a matter, but will largely leave the characters to take the reins.

When he’s decided who to bring on as his ‘apprentice’ and the others Ascend to whatever roles they take, there will be a level more to go before he appoints his protégé as a full Inquisitor. When this happens the character decisions will pretty much be fully opened. When he promotes his Interrogator to Inquisitor, their now former master will disappear and become a person of Influence.

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My campaign will get a little more complex as time goes by however, as they realise that the master they serve isn’t Malleus, Xenos or Hereticus. Instead he will be an agent of the Ordo Penitus, seeking out those Inquisitors that are on the path to ruin. When the chosen character reaches the rank of Inquisitor, the man they served will disappear to another sector to continue his clandestine work, denying them the use of his Influence (no such thing as an easy life in my games!).

Also, Penitus (Latin) Translation: inward, internal; (adverb) accurately, thoroughly, entirely. I thought it was very fitting.

Hmmm...canonically, at ranks 7-9 they players could reasonably be expected to work with acolytes over whom thye might possess some passing authority, correct?

AppliedCheese said:

This is entirely possible, yes. I would not make it an "every session" or even an "every story" thing, but it is entirely appropriate in some situations for rank 7-8 characters to reach out with their "AUTHORITAH!" and direct the actions of their lessers. This could mean coordinating the actions of an inexperienced acolyte cell on behalf of their Inquisitor who is busy elsewhere or simply flashing their credentials to an Arbites squad and shouting "Follow me, the Emperor needs you!" Obviously results should be somewhat dependent on the situation, who is being commanded and who is doing the commanding. For example a frightened mob of people gathered outside of the local cathedral of a hive city district will probably respond fairly well to a cleric or Sororitas giving a rousing speech that calls upon their faith to help scour the city for (wytches/filthy xenos/whatever). On the other hand, a scum acolyte decked out in full gang leathers is going to have a much harder time demanding the assistance of a noble's entourage or an Enforcer squad. As in most things, details matter.

Thanks. Also, zila, you'll find a plot for previewing in your inbox. I still haven't figured out how to check my PMs though...