In the Blood of Martyrs the Calixian Witchfinders are introduced as Inquisitors in training and agents of the Ordo Hereticus with obvious ties and relations to the Ecclesiarchy. They have limited power but are still able to investigate and pursue cults / rogue psykers. Would a puritan Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor, not necessarily a Monodominant, use a Witchfinder as a acolyte? How about a cell of three or four Witchfinders that are used by an Inquisitor to put a public face on an otherwise covert operation against cults and psykers? Of course an Inquisitor could recruit or use whomever he or she wanted (Well walking up to Cardinal Orlanna and shoving the rosette down her throat before commanding her to become an acolyte isn't realistic and wouldn't work.) but would it be considered highly un-canon in the setting?

Hi,

why not having some Witch-Finders around? Well, I would see it as a little pointless to use them as "public face for a covered operation". This like "adding fanfares and disco lights to a stealth fighter".

May I suggest one of my personal little protegees to you?

http://darkreign40k.com/drjoomla/index.php/npcs/npcs/1325-witch-hunter-riccard-a-retinue

I think that an Inquisitor working behind the scenes could have her agents working in the shadows and a smaller but separate group of acolytes operating out in the open, the Witchfinders, as a distraction in the investigation. The cults would see the "disco lights" but not the stealth fighter. Even if they are across the sector they could be useful. Also having followers or supporters as future Inquisitors in training, along with an interrogator and acolyte prime, seem like a good deal to me. Plus if they are given the right amount of resources they could bring in some good results against cults / psykers making the Inquisitors range even greater. Keep in mind she has numerous cells and a primary retinue of her most trusted throne agents along with hundreds of acolytes, informants and spies across Calixis. Yes the Witchfinders are loud, annoying, boisterous, explosive and flashy but they could make for a very effective distraction. I'll take a look at Riccard and his retinue...

@They see the disco lights but not...
Well, if the stealth fighter is doing his job, it will not be seen. No need for a "distraction". The appearance of the Witch-Hunter might make a cult go into complete hiding. Which is the thing you normally try to avoid by going in secretly in the first place. I see the use in regard to "I use the secret guys here and the noisy at the other end of the Calixis Sector" but using them on the same cult on the same world in the same city... nope.

I have to agree with Gregorius on this. Even though a distraction is sometimes needed, IMHO cults will most likely go into hiding when being investigated by disco lights, it's easier to track something that actually moves. Now, I can understand having a group of open witch-finders every once in a while openly seeking out rogue psychers to make a demonstration out of them to help "calm" a population. But too much overt action would send most chaotic groups to ground.

I personally adore the Witchfinders. I love their theatrics and their relation to the Salem trials and Spanish Inquisitions of old. Having a group of them, or even the HINT of them on planet could and likely would cause histeria in the local cults. They have their uses, but distraciton on planet isn't one of them. Nearby or in a message that they are about is a good way to make them sweat. And if you need an annoying noble out of the way of your investigation sending one of them to his house will do a fine job of destroying his career and sway with a lot of nobility and factions. Just for the knowledge that he was INVESTIGATED. If you have the resources and connections you could track the motions of the other nobles to see who reacts how and where it leads. Throw a bigger fish in and the little scatter, only the big and brave remain. or are slower and let you see them.

I think a big part of the boisterous Witchfidner´s job is deterence and propaganda. Letting the general population know they are out there and protecting them while scaring wanna-be warp dabblers from going through with their musings.

While other groups do the true hard-and-gritty work in the shadows, with no glory to gain and a much higher chance of getting their guts spilled by Witches and Heretics. And you wouldnt want them active in an operational area at the same time. The Witchfinders have their own unique uses, while other kids of Hunting the Witch are more results-oriented, so to speak.

I decided to turn my Inquisitor into a Monodominant for a change which will make her eventual descent into extreme radicalism even more fun. Instead of hiding in the shadows she is extremely direct and uses her rosette like a credit card when she needs something. The idea of a strong super ***** bombastic Monodominant sporting a tall hat / pilgrim hat or whatever they are called with some Witch-Finders in her retinue is looking really good right now. Actually looking back on my notes from a few months ago I had my first drafts with her being a Monodominant. So that being said her retinue should definitely have some Witch-Finders in it seeing she has extremely strong ties in the Ecclesiarchy and allies up high (Cardinal Orlanna, etc.). I haven't decided on her past yet but she could definitely have been a Witch-Finder before she was raised to her current title which would explain her current use of Witch-Finders. But yeah I'm going with plenty of theatrics, explosions, pogroms and bloody purges with pointy hats.