Hello folks
Last playsession I introduced my new character: The Hierophant Tauron Atellus Cromwell.
I’m amazed that this is my first jab at the 40k cleric, but it is, and I was wondering if you guys had any roleplay tips for me?

As a baseline he is 200+ years old, weakened by his age. He relies on a cane for walking, after nearly getting his leg shot off more than 60 years before current play. He refuses prosthetics, being proud of what he considers a martyr-wound.

He is the former arch-cardinal of the Markayn Marshes synod, and as such formerly a seatholder on the calixian conclave. In his youth he was a pilgrim from Maccabeus Quintus, but he is NOT a member of the black priests.

He has very good relations with the Adepta Sororitas and has 2 battlesisters and 2 hospitalers dedicated to him, as his personal guard. He is focused mainly on fellowship and whipping the masses into righteous frenzy., having almost no martial skill to speak of (it disappeared with his youth). He has transcended hate and is a miracleworker, primarily focused on powers from the Emperor’s sign and Emperor’s mercy.

In terms of inquisitorial allegiance, he is primarily of an amalathean standpoint.

Any roleplaying tips, pointers, mannerisms or whatnot that you think would be suitable is very much appreciated

-Nearyn

I just made a Rank 1 Cleric myself, so I am interested to hear from other players experience with this class. So far I have played 2 Imperial psykers, neither of which made it past the first session.

The movie Ladyhawke portrays two clerics very nicely. One of them is an ambitious, ruthless and venal bishop while the other is a drunken sot who has lost his faith but still has some piety left in him. Both are excellent as role models.

Regarding your particular cleric, there are some questions you could ask to define his character and motivation. Why is he still gallivanting around the galaxy instead of enjoying a well deserved retirement on some cardinal world? Does he have unfinished business? You say he has transcended hate….perhaps he will always insist in combat encounters to first offer opponents a chance to surrender and accept the Emperor’s grace? Or only use non-lethal weapons. Perhaps this causes a lot of tension with his followers and fellow party members who are deprived of the chance of ambushing opponents and are always second in initiative in regular encounters because the cleric first demands a surrender?

It is unlikely that a kindly, charitable man will rise to high station in the Emperor’s church. It seems to require scheming, ruthless bastards. So how does that match his current ‘peace & love’ attitude? Why did he change?

Just some ideas to flesh him out.....

ranoncles said:

*hits self in back of head*

SPELLCHECKING! SPELLCHECKING! SPELLCHECKING!

That was meant to say "Transendent hate" as in the Ascension talent that means you hate so much, so intensely, that not only can you use the hate benefit as if you had it for all possible groups, but you can transfer the benefit by inspiring religious hatred in your allies.

Apologies for being unclear

-Nearyn

Nearyn said:

That's a brilliant typo, given the subject matter. I was thinking the same thing that ranoncles was thinking, about the survivability of this lovely old cove.

I would keep in mind his age at all times. Have him refer to other PCs as "my lad", "youth" and make comments like "see this las-pistol? Given this by Inquisitor Carfax - now there was an Inquisitor...Nobody makes 'em scream these days like old Carfax used to".

Never have him impressed by anything (or never admitting it). If someone rolls a super critical have him remark: "hah - you call that a shot. I once knew a battle sister who could neuter a grox at 500m. And she would too!"

Collect a whole mass of suitably religious sayings and teachings, ready to break out at any (and I mean any) opportunity. Player ambushes an ork by leaping out of a tree above him and cutting off his head with a chainsword, remark: "Ah, did not St. Drussus himself not teach: When faced with an ork, one must drop like a hawk."

Question complete strangers about their adherance to the Imperial Creed. Strike burly Imperial Guardsman with your cane for improper piety.

Travel with several crates of ecclesiarchical ceremonial robes and the necessary pieces to assemble a mobile pulpit and statue of the Emperor everywhere you go. At all times!

knasser said:

That is brilliant.

My fellow Throne agents will not get a bite to eat without saying grace, thats for sure.

Though I have this worry that if I present him as a sort of crazy, old badger with the ius ecclesiasticus showed up his ass, it will feel like a very sudden change in character if one of my fellow players crosses a line or if an enemy is sufficiently easy to hate.
But perhaps that will add to the character? Having him explode in a fit of hate and religious anger if someone actually doesn't adhere to the imperial creed?

Nearyn said:

Well, it can be a bit jarring if you suddenly go from crazy, old badger to fierce burn the heretic frothing, I suppose. I guess the trick is to make sure that people don't lose sight of the badger part even when he's being crazy and old. I'm informed that badgers are actually pretty vicious when they want to be. There's something dementedly funny yet horrific about an old man who can ramble on for hours about racial and religious purity. I'm kind of picturing a eighty-two year old Nazi here. Basically, never let the Old Person-isms overwhelm the mean, hatefulness.

:-)

Okay, that sends the kindly old coot out the airlock....

There are some brilliant suggestions here. I'd also turn up the aged Nazi up to eleven. And add some Hitlerjugend for more contrast. Or would that be Emperorjugend? Have the hate-spewing old man pick youngsters to accompany him and use them as his shock troops. Using kids as soldiers has a universal abhorrance. In every urban centre this cleric gathers youngsters for his fiery sermons before leading them into a progrom (kinda like a scary pied piper...).

Another thing to consider is the response of the local cleric(s) to having a high ranking, well connected loose cannon running around creating havoc in their bailiwick. Some might want a favour, others will point him towards a specific problem and hope he will solve it (with fire & brimstone) and others will send him packing immediately.....with the necessary VIP treatment of course...

As always I love the feedback I get from these forums.

Giving him a feel of old nazi is a brilliant idWhat kea as well. I think I'll try to walk the line between senile old fool and frothing nazi-catholic.

This has raised another question for me:

What is considered sin in the imperium? Also, what level of impiety is tolerable? Asking people to stop, drop and pray every time they see an image of the Emperor seems fun, but also counter-productive.

-Nearyn

Nearyn said:

Oh touchpad, how I love you so.

Anyhew, threw these pictures together. The first one i pretty much done, the other one is very much a work in progress. Both are kinda rough around the edges, and they're pretty big. I've not had time or reason to scale them down properly yet, seeing as how I'm not sure I'm fully done

Cromwell half-close-up.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/Nearyn/cromwellbrushed.jpg

Cromwell preaching (Very much a WIP)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/Nearyn/Cromwellpreaching.jpg

He looks awesome, Nearyn. Clearly a gentleman who expects to be taken seriously.

I've played a hate-filled, zealot cleric for some time now. His cell once came across a group of mutants living quietly beneath a city, who were willing to do the Emperor's work and assist the Inquisitorial agents. Of course, he gathered them all in one room, led them in prayer, and then slaughtered all of them - men, women and children - with fire.

If your guy has been about that sort of business for two centuries, it would pay people not to underestimate him.

Niqvah said:

I'm not gonna lie, I really wanna lock 50 mutants in room, washed down with prometheum right now XD

Thanks alot for your compliment to my drawings. It is very much appreciated Niqvah