Interrogator

"I’ve served at my master’s side for twelve years now. I’ve seen him stare down a Pit Thing as if it were a yaprat and send an Ambull scurrying back down its hole in terror. If I ever learn one tenth of what he knows, I swear I’ll be Lord Sector by the age of 50…"

- Interrogator Lenk, prior to his death on Zel Secundus Those who have served an Inquisitor as an Acolyte may be granted the rank of Interrogator. Few Acolytes ever earn such an honour, and most Inquisitors only make the appointment after they themselves have served for many decades. An Interrogator is, in essence, an Inquisitor’s apprentice. He is a student set upon a path that ultimately sees him granted the Inquisitorial Seal, or, more likely, perish long before being judged worthy of that singular responsibility. Interrogators are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds. Although most have served as Acolytes, others may have been plucked unexpectedly from obscurity, unaware of having been observed by their new master from afar. Some Interrogators are dispatched to hidden collegia, there to study assiduously with others of their station before being assigned a master. Others are appointed directly by an Inquisitor, to accompany him at all times and to learn his vocation through first-hand experience.

However, an Interrogator is far more than a journeyman Inquisitor yet to come into his full abilities. An Interrogator knows that the eye of judgement is upon him at all times. His every act is weighed in the balance, recorded, and judged. Each success takes him that one step closer to the ultimate honour of being awarded the Inquisitorial Seal; every failure may be his last. Many Interrogators pursue their apprenticeship with a fervour that would put to shame the most bombastic Drill Abbot, pushing themselves to greater extremes to prove themselves worthy in the eyes of their master. Many such individuals pay the ultimate price for their zealousness, performing the greatest of service to the Inquisition and giving their lives that their masters might prevail. Countless are the Interrogators that have interposed themselves bodily between master and foe, suffering mortal wounds but buying time for that master to deliver the killing blow to the enemy. Some say that the Interrogator is uniquely blessed, existing in a state of grace. As such, Interrogators often seem to be the recipients of some form of divine protection and intervention. Many are the writings of ancient Inquisitor Lords that appear to lament the loss of such grace upon their appointment to Inquisitor.

There exists no formal structure to an Interrogator’s training. Some may serve for decades, their master teaching them every aspect of the Inquisitor’s duties with minute attention to detail. Others may find themselves Inquisitors in short order, perhaps in recognition of some great service performed in the course of an investigation. In general, however, it is expected for the Interrogator to learn the most important aspect of their vocation, that which gives them their title—the art of interrogation. It is said that no secret can be withheld from an Inquisitor, for they seek the truth in the name of the Emperor Himself. Few would be capable of deceit in the face of an Inquisitor, for they are figures of myth and horror across the Imperium, as feared in their way as the mutant and the witch. Those who do withhold the truth must be brought to heel, the Inquisitor peeling back layer after layer of deceit until the truth is finally revealed. The methods used range from subtle guile and artful cunning to the horrors of the auto-rack and psychic trepanning. An Interrogator must master all such methods before being judged worthy of progressing to the rank of Inquisitor.

There are many more fields in which an Interrogator may be schooled, the depth and scope dependent upon the methods and skills of their own master. They may also be schooled by other members of their master’s cadre. They may learn martial skills from a loyal bodyguard, or the arts of communion with the machine-spirit from a learned Magos of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Each of these tutors impart their specialised knowledge, and their judgement is sought by the master in the Interrogator’s progress. Yet, despite all of the knowledge and skills an Interrogator may learn throughout the course of their tutelage, there is one quality that cannot be taught. They must prove beyond all doubt that they are willing and able to look in the eye the most terrible of Mankind’s foes, and not falter, even should their life be forfeit. Only when judged able to bear the most terrible of truths does the Interrogator have any hope of receiving the Inquisitorial Seal.

Notable Interrogators

 * Interrogator Deric Oktavian - The most senior Interrogator of Inquisitor Bahamet Xerces, Oktavian has operated at his master’s behest on and near Port Wander for the better part of twenty years, starting initially as an Acolyte working undercover on Footfall. Over the years, his network of contacts and resources around the Maw has expanded, and with it, his influence within the Inquisition. On the verge of full Inquisitorial status himself, Oktavian already wields much of his master’s power by proxy, so trusted is he to act correctly. In the last year, Oktavian has successfully managed to insert operatives within Footfall’s Kasballica Mission, a feat that many have tried and none have accomplished until now, granting him an extraordinary amount of leverage and influence within the Koronus Cabal, and the means to more closely track one of the major sources of xenos artefacts into the Calixis Sector. Oktavian is ruthless and extremely political, a growing hidden power within the Calixis Sector, who has demonstrated considerable proficiency in commanding covert operations and manipulating unwitting resources. Few who he seeks to bring low ever see his face until they are dragged before him in chains and condemned for their crimes.
 * Interrogator Thirl - Once one of Thaddeus Hakk’s most prominent disciples, Interrogator Thirl delved into places so forbidden he did indeed draw the attentions of the Harlequins. It was during a mission to the depths of the Slinnar Drift that Thirl and his companions drew the notice of the mysterious agents of the Eldar’s vengeance, as they sought to unlock an xenos tomb uncovered beneath the shifting sands of a long dead world. The intrusion must have triggered wards as ancient as the human race, for the Harlequins were upon the Interrogator and his party before their las-cutters had breached the living metal walls of the tomb. Interrogator Thirl was the only survivor of that battle, though the means of his escape remain unrecorded. Thirl vanished for several years and was given up as dead by his fellow Antiquarti. In truth, the Interrogator spent that time in increasingly desperate flight, the vengeful Harlequins always one step behind him or waiting just around the next turn. Becoming ever more frantic, Thirl sought refuge in the most unlikely of places, yet always the Eldar found him out and he was forced to flee their wrath. On Amenophis IV, Interrogator Thirl sought to bargain with the machine-entity known to its human worshippers as the Array, hoping he could plunder its stygian data vaults for records pre-dating the Age of Imperium. Before he could do so he was discovered and only barely escaped with his life. On Vallia, Interrogator Thirl sought to dominate the malign intelligence that links every living cell on that death world, yet almost succumbed to the planet’s indomitable will, as did several of his pursuers. Recovering from his mental injuries deep in the wastelands of the planet Cocijo, Interrogator Thirl uncovered legends of a visitation by Mortis Thule, and a prediction that another such appearance was imminent. Though it ran counter to all his instincts, Interrogator Thirl waited for the predicted appearance, spending far longer in one location than ever he had before. Sure enough, the prediction proved true and Mortis Thule appeared in orbit over the blasted world, bringing with it a wave of despair and madness amongst the colonists of the world’s frontier settlements. Breaking cover, Thirl made for the Space Hulk in his gun cutter before it could vanish once more, yet in so doing revealed himself to those who had been watching patiently for him. The Harlequins attacked once again, the battle continuing even as the Interrogator plunged into the haunted depths of Mortis Thule. At that point deliverance came, and from a most unexpected source. Seeking any place he might hide from his pursuers, the Interrogator came upon a population of mutants living in the depths of the Space Hulk, and bringing every shred of his will to bear, he turned them to his service. The tables turned, the Harlequins were defeated, though a hundred mutants were slain for every Eldar life they claimed. In the aftermath of this bloody battle, Interrogator Thirl found himself the master of a powerful, if unruly, army of mutants seething with hatred for the world outside of the dark, haunted tunnels of Mortis Thule. Yet, there was a further discovery to be made, and one that would change Thirl’s ambitions for all time.