Lightbringer said:

I don't quite see it that way. Close, but not quite.

In essence, I don't regard the Imperium as acknowledging the concept of retirement - only in death does duty end, as the saying goes - but it does acknowledge the changing capabilities of its servants, particularly those who are charged with its defence. I imagine that most servants of the Imperium are more likely to change their duties rather than retire entirely - an Inquisitor may go behind-the-scenes operating at the heart of a web of Acolyte cells, or may turn his or her attentions to researching a particular matter, rather than taking to the field personally, but they won't ever actually stop being Inquisitors until they're dead, at least in theory... they just become less overtly active. Given that there is no specific requirement for how an Inquisitor does the job, or even specifically what the job entails (they have the absolute freedom to combat the enemies of mankind in whatever ways they see fit), choosing to operate differently for a while seems entirely plausible.

As for parenthood, consider this - the renowned Necromundan bounty hunter, Kal Jericho, is the illegitimate son of Lord Helmawr, the Imperial Commander of Necromunda, and Inquisitor Jena Orechiel (who goes by many aliases, including Helena Jericho). As was revealed in the comics where this fact came to light, one of Inquisitor Orechiel's retinue is her daughter.

N0-1_H3r3 said:

That makes sense.

So perhaps "retirement" is the wrong phrase. Perhaps "occasional extended sabbatical" segues gently into "alternative Inquisitorial duties."

Outside the inquisition, though, I do also recall reading somewhere that senior figures within the Adeptus Terra appear to be allowed to retire. After all, Paradise worlds arguably exist largely for this purpose. Again, though, perhaps these are worlds for extended sabbaticals to rest and recuperate, allowing the Emperor's most valuable servants to recover their strength before returning to their duties?

boruta666 said:

You show a rather spectacular misunderstanding of the female reproductive system.

For one, while eggs are finite, there are still more of them than could ever manage through a cycle in an entire lifetime. The end of fertility isn't because of lack of eggs but instead hormones and aging. most women will never even use a fraction of the eggs in one of their ovaries.

Second, it is generally only one ovary that even 'works' - the second never ovulates for some reason, though they are in there. Unless the primary one is damaged, then the secondary will start ovulating.

Third, the life extending drugs combined with the other things that are available to inquisitors likely mean they can prevent ovulation entirely until they want to (Or at least until they miss a shot). And you can bet such is likely. That can only increase the amount of time and total eggs you would have.

Fourth. Even in real life we've had women who were in their 50s get pregnant naturally. There is even one case of a woman in her early 70s that was in the news a year or two ago. And I point again to the first and second points. They wouldn't have even used a single ovary up yet.

Fifth. Those technologies would likely allow regeneration of eggs, or the body to start making more should said inquisitor want them. Though I will concede in the unlikely chance said inquisitor made it to the spectacular age she would have run out, chances are even 40k tech wouldn't be enough to keep her young enough. And more likely were she wishing children she would have long ago.

Finally. Twilight in space? No. But it isn't only war, that's just the catch phrase of the setting, children are still an important part, especially in a nearly feudal system such as exists in the imperium. Odds are the Inquisition probably sees children of inquisitors as intrinsically superior to normal children. Granted, this probably ties into Sins of the Mother/Father as well, the child of one who falls is probably going to be watched VERY closely as well. Which is the stuff of great stories.

Regarding letting Inquisitors retire, remember that several Rogue Traders originally were Inquisitors before being handed their warrant and told to increase the glory of the Imperium... preferably a long way away. Thus, it appears that there are ways out of the Inquisition that don't involve a casket. Further, I doubt an Inquisitor that tries to disappear without doing anything while invisible can reasonably be found without expending a lot of ressources.

Regarding the pregnancy, I'd consider it unusual, but hardly impossible. Rearing the child yourself would likely be considered a weakness, but if the Inquisitor shows they don't let it influence their duty, that's their business entirely.
I really can't imagine unwanted pregnancies, however - Inquisitors are generally too big control-freaks.

Cifer said:

I'd like a citation on the Rogue Trader thing: That has popped up in other cases as a way the Imperium can tell people to get lost. Also, I'm having trouble parsing the last sentence in that paragraph, haha

The pregnancy may not BE unwanted (having an automatic Interrogator, amirite? Selfish, but they're Inquisitors), or maybe their The Emperor Protects sanctified condoms broke, and the Inquisitor either has a bright career idea (re: Automatic Interrogator) or an ideological reason for not aborting, etc. etc.

Or heck, maybe they actually liked the other person enough to have a kid, even with the full knowledge that it's kind of inconvenient in most every case. But thaaaaat's not Grim Dark!

I'd like a citation on the Rogue Trader thing: That has popped up in other cases as a way the Imperium can tell people to get lost.

Try Rogue Trader Core Book for the origins of Rogue Traders.

Also, I'm having trouble parsing the last sentence in that paragraph, haha

If an Inquisitor decides to disappear and doesn't do anything while "undercover" (like spying on heretics), it's going to be **** hard to find him.

Cifer said:

Sorry, I meant specifically for Inquisitors becoming Rogue Traders. If that's in the Rogue Trader Core Rulebook (which I don't have), then it's all good with me.

Ah, okay, I think you meant "can't" in that sentence, that messed me up. Yeah, it'd be really hard to find an Inquisitor who doesn't want to be found.

Captain Ventris said:

Pg. 320 of Rogue Trader:
"Many Rogue Traders are individuals who have reached a position of power within the Imperium’s hierarchy. These come from the ranks of the Adeptus Terra, the Imperial Navy and Imperial Guard, or even the Inquisition."

Pg. 324-325 of Rogue Trader:
"Although rare, there are recorded cases of an Inquisitor being granted the Warrant of Trade and taking up the rank of Rogue Trader. The most likely reason this might occur is as a result of political manoeuvring within the Inquisition itself, perhaps resulting in the outmanoeuvred individual being offered the Warrant as an alternative to a far less desirable outcome.
Upon being granted the Warrant, the Inquisitor will understand that he has no alternative but to accept. As it is most often members of the alien-hunting Ordo Xenos who find themselves being appointed as Rogue Traders, these individuals will be well equipped for their new career. Although no longer able to call on the nigh-limitless resources of the Inquisition, the Rogue Trader will still wield considerable powers and influence. The main difference between his old and new roles is the context—rather than hunting out corruption and treachery within the populace of the Imperium, he will be seeking such threats out amongst alien stars, and will no doubt prosecute his new duty with as much vigour as he did his old.
It is not only fully appointed Inquisitors who may become Rogue Traders, for their many and varied servants might end up in such a position too. Those servants of lower rank would consider themselves fortunate indeed to be made a Rogue Trader, for the alternatives are often too terrible to dwell upon should the true price for whatever deed has earned their elevation be exacted."

So yeah. It happens.

It's nice to see exactly how it's described in Rogue Trader. Interesting.

Zappiel said:

This reminded me of the

Oh, Darth Smeg! You are flamin' tickety-boo super brilliant (you goit! Red Dwarf rules!); yes, yes I'm sure my image of grimdark incubator was in part inspired by the Baby Cart to Hades....glad you caught it!