Hi all,

I'm in a bit of a predicament as a PC and need some assistance. I play a very militant Solex Tech Priest. Reading some of the background information on the Solex disciples as well as a general knowledge of the mechanicus i have peiced together how to play my character combat-wise as well as interactions with the party. However, I am concerned with how I should act around members of the Ecclesiarchy and other members of the imperium in general. I know that the Ecclesiarchy recognizes the cult mechanicus as a nessecary part of the imperium, but does it work the other way around? Do the brothers in the priesthood of Mars feel the same way about the Ministorum?

I'm also my party's leader (go figure right? We have a noble guardsman and a Metalican gunslinger but they expect the guy with no ability to increase a fellowship of 26 to be the one who talks to everyone) and that means i'm usually the one who ends up asking people for assistance, and or information. I have my character tend to be somewhat of a diplomat but I just don't see that as how the character should be played. I also dont want to just leave the party out in the water by taking a back seat role since none of them really want to step up at this point.

As I'm fairly new to the 40k universe, any information or advice would be a great help. I just want to get the role play aspect of it down.

... They need social leader and vote for Tech-Warrior?

While it is alright if you make the decision, your first decision should be to give the face&mouth jobs to the noble born.

I've never thought of the Solex as being a particularly diplomatic sect so when it comes to matters of diplomacy, if I were you I'd toss it out the window and let the chips fall where they may. Perhaps after enough hairy yet easily avoided situations and burnt fate points one of the others will step up and start doing the talking and diplomacy for the group and quickly before you could open up your voxbox ;-) At least that's how I'd do it, but then again, I have a long history as a player that is littered with the remains of incredibly short lived characters so...

As far as the Solex and the Imperial Cult, there probably wouldn't be that much friction there unless the Imperial Cult starts it. From my understanding, the Solex are more concerned with keeping the sect of the Omnissiah pure and wouldn't give two shakes what a preacher of the Imperial Cult said or believed as long as said preacher wasn't engaged in tech heresy. The preacher, however, might not feel the same.

The Adeptus Mechanicus likely does not see the Ministorum as much necessary as the other way around – but at the same time, it simply is there and currently important enough to force both organizations into reluctant cooperation. Given how AdMech territory works fine without ecclesiarchal meddling, I would expect many Tech-Priests to believe that the Mechanicus could run things better than the Imperial Cult, but such a transition simply does not seem possible right now as the Creed is too embedded into the citizens’ minds and a conversion by force would devastate both realms. So most Mechanicus emissaries should be "rational enough" to not stir up trouble. Unlike some of the more extreme clergy - but the Ministorum is thankfully clever enough to keep such folk at posts where their zeal is doing more good than harm (depending on one's perspective) instead of allowing them to devastate their diplomatic ties. Most of the time. The truly influential clerics are more politicians than believers, anyways.

There is also the concession that the Omnissiah is generally seen as a facet of the God-Emperor, though I am unsure if the general populace amongst the Mechanicus actually believes this or if this is just some kind of lip-service.

In general, the relationship between both organizations is a strained one, as both Adepta represent opinions that would usually be deemed heretical by their respective counterpart, and both groups have trolled each other over contracts and political schemes in the past. Yet their relation is not entirely without bright spots, as the Missionarius Galaxia continues to transfer (most) technological discoveries to the Mechanicus whilst the AdMech continues to be (relatively) reliable about supplying the clergy and Sororitas with the products of its many forges and manufactoriums.

An example for this could be the history behind the Immolator tank, whose schematics were part of an ancient STC that was discovered by the Frateris Templar during the Icaria Crusade in M35. Their leader, a Missionary by the name of Forben, proceeded to engage in negotiations with the Adeptus Mechanicus and then surrendered it to the Manufactor Principalis in exchange for continued material support and exclusive rights on any technology gained from the subsequent analysis. Over the course of millennia, this treaty has proven to be an invaluable asset and is part of why the Adepta Sororitas are equipped to the highest standards.

As for your general issue regarding the interaction with others: I’d advise you to concentrate on the incredibly important function of the Adeptus Mechanicus – whilst likely not making a lot of true friends, your character’s affiliation is likely to gain him at least a lot of respect and potentially some bootlicking. Play to the strengths of your organization and try to make your character seem as useful as the AdMech is. As others have pointed out, however, I too do not think you should bend your character in any way just because nobody else wanted to assume the spokesman-role. Just stick to your concept and see where it leads you.

If you deem the Fellowship restriction a problem, here’s a small houserule from my current DH group that may help alleviate the issue at least somewhat:
"The Tech-Priest may add up half his Fellowship and half his Intelligence characteristic, and use the resulting number for any Fellowship-based Tests and Talent/Skill Purchases when relating to other members of the Adeptus Mechanicus."

Once you have reached Ascension this gets even easier, as the Tech-Magos Ascended Career included the nifty trait that the character can substutite his Intelligence for Fellowship towards everybody. We based our houserule on this, basically as some sort of transition.