The Inquisition (Spoilers)

[Lost Soal]

I picked this up on Monday after some eager anticipation. The final result however is disappointment. Its written as an encyclopaedia covering planets, artefacts, characters, events and more with regards to the Inquisition. Not opposed to this format, however the entries appear little more than summaries of the information already given in in other printed material with nothing extra.

Don't get me wrong, their was an awful lot of information new to me, due to the simple fact that I haven't read every novel and supplemental publication, but when it came to areas I was familiar with such as Characters from the Eisenhorn, Ravenor and Gaunts novels, their was almost no additional material such as what happened to them after the events in the novels.
I say almost due to one entry which I'm simply not sure about. In Quixos' entry it describes some of his earlier action, what caused him to turn radical and where he got the Malius Codicium. This was new to me but I suspect this had already been printed in something I hadn't read.

Another entry which may or may not be new is a breakdown of the psi scale with 24 normal levels and 24 "plus" levels, although the majority of those are theoretical.
Their are some vary nice illustrations and paintings, of which my favourite is that of Pontius Glaw after being remade by Magos Bure.

[Imperial Overlord]

Quixos is given a one page bio in the rulebook for the Inquisition skirmish game rulebook, so the information may not be new.

Can you share some of the info about the psi and plus psi levels?

[Lost Soal]

The 'Standard Range' of psi activity is measured on a 24 character scale:
omega, psi, chi, phi, upsilon, tau, sigma, rho, pi, omicron, xi, nu, mu, lanmbda, kappa, iota,, theta, eta, zeta, epsilon, delta, gamma, beta, alpha.
Baseline human is rho or pi, with pi the limit of non active sentience.
Omicron to kappa is residual talent which most aren't aware of and can pass general scrutiny.
Iota upwards is a manifest ability. Strength increases exponentially with each level.
Zeta and higher is very powerful psi talent with the top four levels being master-level powers occurring once in every billion humans. When you consider how many humans their are, that still comes to a hell of a lot.
The inquisition is not required to respond unless rated iota or above.

Below pi is the blunt scale graduating through slight resistance to psi activity through the untouchables at omega.

Above Alpha, add a plus and reverse the scale, so alpha+, beta+ etc.
Beta is thought to be the highest level a human can reach and remain sane, hence the Aplha+ humans are demented, insane and work for chaos.
Highest rating measured or witnessed is Gamma+ and while it doesn't state, its likely to be referring to The Emperor.

[andrewgpaul]

"Above Alpha, add a plus and reverse the scale, so alpha+, beta+ etc.
Beta is thought to be the highest level a human can reach and remain sane, hence the Aplha+ humans are demented, insane and work for chaos. "

Not quite understanding you here. If the scale goes ..., beta, alpha, alpha+, beta+, gamma+, and humans can reach beta+ and remain sane, why does that necessitate all alpha+ psykers being insane and/or chaotic?

[Lost Soal]

"Above Alpha, add a plus and reverse the scale, so alpha+, beta+ etc.
Beta is thought to be the highest level a human can reach and remain sane, hence the Aplha+ humans are demented, insane and work for chaos. "

Not quite understanding you here. If the scale goes ..., beta, alpha, alpha+, beta+, gamma+, and humans can reach beta+ and remain sane, why does that necessitate all alpha+ psykers being insane and/or chaotic?

Standard Beta, no plus.

[NecronLord]

Why do they even have all the Omega + and such then? I blame the administratum.

[white_rabbit]

I'll second the disappointment, its pretty sucky to be honest, I expected better from Black Library given the quality of their other sourcebook/background book releases.

Heres hoping the 40k RPG does better.

The only really interesting stuff was the psyker scale, and thats the only "new" bit of textual information there was. Its nice to see it all laid out and referenced.

I suspect it would be of more value to someone who hasn't read everything referenced by the book!

a few decent bits of artwork, a piccy of a Nekulli equipped with human standard gear interestingly enough, alongside a Loxatl, ratling and Ogryn.

I'll also second that Khanjar the Sharp looks pretty cool.

As far as a sourcebook on the Inquisition goes, I think Gav Thorpe did a much better job with the Thorian sourcebook, which brings up the contrast twixt the two "concepts" of the Inquisition, one of an organisation with a formalised rank structure, the other with lots of individuals with no real rank.

I'd say as much as I like the latter concept, a combination of the two as presented somewhat by "The Inquisition" is much more likely and appropriate.

[Stormbringer]

Why do they even have all the Omega + and such then? I blame the administratum.

My guess would be to at least categorize enemy psykers, xenos specie psykers, and for beings like Space Marines that are no longer wholly human. Given that humanity is not necessarily the most powerful race of psykers it makes sense to extent the scale beyond what humans are necessarily capable of. They would after all need a way of talking about an Eldar or a Chaos Mage. For that matter, I believe that some of the more powerful Space Marine Librarians are supposed to be Alpha or Alpha+ psykers.

Of course lot of the scale is probably theoretical, since sooner or later you reach god status like the Emperor. I'd imagine it's a bit like some other scientific scales in that it includes possibilities that are simply not likely to ever happen.

[NecronLord]

My guess would be to at least categorize enemy psykers, xenos specie psykers, and for beings like Space Marines that are no longer wholly human. Given that humanity is not necessarily the most powerful race of psykers it makes sense to extent the scale beyond what humans are necessarily capable of. They would after all need a way of talking about an Eldar or a Chaos Mage. For that matter, I believe that some of the more powerful Space Marine Librarians are supposed to be Alpha or Alpha+ psykers.

Of course lot of the scale is probably theoretical, since sooner or later you reach god status like the Emperor. I'd imagine it's a bit like some other scientific scales in that it includes possibilities that are simply not likely to ever happen.

I meant if the Emperor/most powerful psyker on record was Gamma+ It seems superfluous to have a whole bunch of categories that aren't ever used.

[The Grim Squeaker]

My guess would be to at least categorize enemy psykers, xenos specie psykers, and for beings like Space Marines that are no longer wholly human. Given that humanity is not necessarily the most powerful race of psykers it makes sense to extent the scale beyond what humans are necessarily capable of. They would after all need a way of talking about an Eldar or a Chaos Mage. For that matter, I believe that some of the more powerful Space Marine Librarians are supposed to be Alpha or Alpha+ psykers.

Of course lot of the scale is probably theoretical, since sooner or later you reach god status like the Emperor. I'd imagine it's a bit like some other scientific scales in that it includes possibilities that are simply not likely to ever happen.

I meant if the Emperor/most powerful psyker on record was Gamma+ It seems superfluous to have a whole bunch of categories that aren't ever used.

I found it doubtful that they'd try to quantify the GOD-Emperor. It's more likely that they mean someone spectacularily nasty, such as the Apex Twins, or Even Magnus the Red. (I find it doubtful that a primarch, let alone Horus or The Emperor would even be on the scale).

[Luzifer's right hand]

Did the psyker scale even exist back when the God-Emperor was still up and running?

[Shadowtraveler]

There's no evidence either way. Psyker hunting back then was the sole province of the Sisters of Silence, who obviously refused to talk about it.

[Lost Soal]

Nothing has been said, but since the Imperium were using psykers for a time it seems likely their was some form of scale to determine weather they were any use.

[Connor MacLeod]

As I recall the "Pariah/untouchables/blanks" and their ability to nullify psychic/daemonic abilities is a form of psyker power the Necrons engineered.

Edit: Nevermind, Lost Soal answered my original question about Omega and I deleted it. But aren't pariahs/untouchables still a form of psyker?

Also, maybe the "Omega+" levels are meant to cover "future" levels of power or something more approaching godlike.

Another possibility: Isn't humaninty supposed to be moving towards being a "fully psychic" race like the Eldar, and the GeOM when he was still more fully "corporeal" simply the first of the new breed? If so its quite possible that they anticipate more powerful psykers evolving over time due to mutation and other factors (as I recall the number of psykers in the Imperium continually grows as well) and if the numbers increase, it stands to reason that individuals MORE powerful than "Alpha-Plus" might emerge.

Double Edit: Wasn't Ravenor an "Alpha-Plus" level psyker as well (at least by the second/third books at least.) Even with the "boosting" abilities of his chair and the amplifiers on his ship, I rather recall he got to the point of being "above" Beta level without amplification.

Also, where would Space Marine Librarians be on this scale? Does it say?

What about sanctioned psykers/battle psykers in the Guard?

Any indication about where Astropaths fit in?

Lastly, Does it give "ratios" for the others like it does for Zeta and above" (IE the one per billion humans"?)

[Duckie]

Edit: Nevermind, Lost Soal answered my original question about Omega and I deleted it. But aren't pariahs/untouchables still a form of psyker?

Pariahs are the opposite of psykers, actually. Instead of having a poweful warp footprint, they have a blank one, which freaks latent psykers (humans) and psykers out alike and makes them difficult to target with psionic powers (although not invincible as Eisenhorn shows).

[Imperial Overlord]

Pariahs have a warp presence, but it seems to work in reverse of normal psychic abilities. Since the scale is based on the strength of psychic power, having it as negative capability at the bottom makes sense.

Ravenor Rogue is called Alpha Plus by one of the renegades he's chasing. The renegade is knowledgeable about psychic ability, but could simply be overestimating Ravenor. In Ravenor, he's calls himself a high Gamma, which is only a few years earlier than Ravenor Rogue.

Space Marine Librarians vary in terms of psychic powers, but I imagine the most powerful ones would be near the top. Their augmented bodies can also handle a lot of stress, which probably increases their abilities when compared to ordinary humans simply by allowing them to push their abilities further and not kill themselves in the process.

[Connor MacLeod]

Pariahs have a warp presence, but it seems to work in reverse of normal psychic abilities. Since the scale is based on the strength of psychic power, having it as negative capability at the bottom makes sense.

Yeah, tjhats what I was thinking.

Which brings up another point. Didn't Ravneor's pet uintouchable get "burned out" of his Pariah ability (and he was a "normal"?) That had some interesting implications with regard to the scale.

Ravenor Rogue is called Alpha Plus by one of the renegades he's chasing. The renegade is knowledgeable about psychic ability, but could simply be overestimating Ravenor. In Ravenor, he's calls himself a high Gamma, which is only a few years earlier than Ravenor Rogue.

I'd gotten the impression Ravenor (and that kid he'd picked up) had been increasing in power greatly over the time of the novels. I don't think psyker powers develop linearly - Ravenor might have had a growth spurt btween the first and third novels.

Space Marine Librarians vary in terms of psychic powers, but I imagine the most powerful ones would be near the top. Their augmented bodies can also handle a lot of stress, which probably increases their abilities when compared to ordinary humans simply by allowing them to push their abilities further and not kill themselves in the process.

That's true. But if the scale occurs "Exponetnially" it could give a benchmark for estimating power. (not that you can treat all pwoers the same - telepathic or other mind influencing powers would be harder to directly quantify, but ones that involve exerting force or energy should be quantifiable.)

I was thinking more in terms of "Averages", in the same way the 3rd edition rules listed "average" ranges of populations for various worlds (Hive, civilised, agri-worlds, , etc.)

[Imperial Overlord]

I'd gotten the impression Ravenor (and that kid he'd picked up) had been increasing in power greatly over the time of the novels. I don't think psyker powers develop linearly - Ravenor might have had a growth spurt btween the first and third novels.

I didn't get the impression from novels, other than the use of the Alpha plus line. I don't recall Ravenor doing anything more impressive than what he did in Ravenor, where he's mind jacking individuals in other starships and the telekinetic side effects of his out of body fight with Kinsey is blowing windows and flipping cars. It is certainly possible that he did, but I don't recall any really firm evidence in support of it.

[Stormbringer]

Also, where would Space Marine Librarians be on this scale? Does it say?

The book itself doesn't say. But I seem to recall a couple of sources mentioning some of the Space Marine character Librarians. Mephiston is supposed to be one of the most powerful Librarians out there and rated as an Alpha+ after his overcoming the Black Rage. The Dark Angels Librarian (Ezkiel) is supposed to be fairly powerful as well (not sure how that's been effected by the new Dark Angels Codex) and probably clocks in at a beta or so.

Tigurius, the Ultramarines Librarian, is not actually that strong but has an artifact to boost his powers as well as being a rather gifted seer type. The entire Grey Knights Chapter are supposed to be respectably powerful psykers but their abilities are nearly all turned inward to maintain their wardings and psychic defenses.

The Blood Ravens are supposed to be unsually psyker heavy and have some fairly potent Librarians. No hard details that I know of.

What about sanctioned psykers/battle psykers in the Guard?

Variable since a lot of sanctioned psykers that are used by/with the Guard are actually fairly weak. Not really that different from Astropaths.

Now other sanctioned psykers, those attached to the Inquisition (with being actual inductees) can be a bit stronger. But probably don't get much higher than epsilon given that Ravenor was surprised by delta level "sanctioned" psyker.

Any indication about where Astropaths fit in?

They're almost invariably described as being the lower end of the spectrum, talented but fairly weak. Probably iota to eta range.

[NecronLord]

Yeah, tjhats what I was thinking.

It's certainly a psyker-like phonomena, at any rate. Which means it makes sense to be on the scale.

Which brings up another point. Didn't Ravneor's pet uintouchable get "burned out" of his Pariah ability (and he was a "normal"?) That had some interesting implications with regard to the scale.

I haven't read more than the first book, but Frauka already had things in his head to make him psychically normal when switched off. So it can physically be supressed.

In the same way, there's artifacts to make normals into psykers; One reputedly built by the Emperor in faith and fire and one made by unknown, 'older than the eldar' aliens (I would guess, the Old Ones) in the latest Caiphas Cain novel.

Interestingly, though, that second artifact fails to affect Jurgen. But Jurgen seems to be the most 'powerful' Pariah we've seen so far.

[white_rabbit]

I haven't read more than the first book, but Frauka already had things in his head to make him psychically normal when switched off. So it can physically be supressed.

As I recall, thats part of the role of the Animus Speculum.

As for Jurgen, Bah, until he reduces a pointy ear to a frothing, gurgling heap, I'll take a psychopathic Culexus any day!

[Stormbringer]

I haven't read more than the first book, but Frauka already had things in his head to make him psychically normal when switched off. So it can physically be supressed.

Spoilers:

It's nothing so complex as that, Frauka is simply dying. His mind if literally breaking down and with it has defenses are collapsing. One of the big symptoms of that is his ever increasing nosebleeds as well as his mind getting mushy. It's really no different than a psyker burning out as he's dying.

We already know that daemons and other manifestations of warp power can over come a blank. We see it happen to Bequin when the tainted Titan fries her mind.

In the same way, there's artifacts to make normals into psykers; One reputedly built by the Emperor in faith and fire and one made by unknown, 'older than the eldar' aliens (I would guess, the Old Ones) in the latest Caiphas Cain novel.

Interestingly, though, that second artifact fails to affect Jurgen. But Jurgen seems to be the most 'powerful' Pariah we've seen so far.

Actually, the Shadowlight just plain old mutates and kills normals. It's only increases the power of actual active psykers and it's heavily implied that it's merely a side effect of whatever it is actually intended to do. It's described as marinated in warp energy and it's implied that it's that residual energy which is harmful. Because Jurgen is a blank and repels such energy, it simply doesn't mean anything. It's not like it's actively attempting to attack him.

So I think calling Jurgen an exceptionally resilient blank based on that alone is probably not terribly good evidence. The incidents in Traitors Hand do lend a bit more credence but all things considered I'm not entirely sure that Emily was really that powerful a daemon when all is said and done. She certainly talks a much bigger game than she ever lived up to.

[NecronLord]

So I think calling Jurgen an exceptionally resilient blank based on that alone is probably not terribly good evidence. The incidents in Traitors Hand do lend a bit more credence but all things considered I'm not entirely sure that Emily was really that powerful a daemon when all is said and done. She certainly talks a much bigger game than she ever lived up to.

She claims to be a Demon Prince, IIRC. I'm fairly certain Slanessh wouldn't be amused at just anyone claiming to be one who he hasn't granted that status to. While all demon princes are not by any means equal, it must designate more than a 'normal' demon.

And, it appears I've forgotten details of the Shadowlight. The Faith and Fire machine, on the other hand, it was claimed by the guy researching it, was able to turn normals into the equals of Malcador the Sigillite. He was probably nuts, but it did seem to be working when he tried it.

[Lancer]

She was powerful enough to alter the warp-currents around Adumbria, brewing up a mini-warp storm which would have completely engulfed that planet and turned it into a warp-realspace overlap like the Eye of Terror or the Maelstrom.

[Stormbringer]

She claims to be a Demon Prince, IIRC. I'm fairly certain Slanessh wouldn't be amused at just anyone claiming to be one who he hasn't granted that status to. While all demon princes are not by any means equal, it must designate more than a 'normal' demon.

She's certainly a Daemon Prince(ss) but as you say, they're not all created equal. Most of what she did is fairly run of the mill for a daemon and the fact that a goodly number of the Tallaran and Valhallans, including Benji, survived untainted is a pretty good indicator if one is needed that she can't be too strong at the time she manifested. As a relatively newly raised Daemon Princess she probably would have been required to gain a fair bit of strength if she was going to pull off her ultimate grand plan.

She was powerful enough to alter the warp-currents around Adumbria, brewing up a mini-warp storm which would have completely engulfed that planet and turned it into a warp-realspace overlap like the Eye of Terror or the Maelstrom.

Altering the warp currents, especially when expending a not inconsiderable number of cultists is not at all impossible. If I remember right, it's a fairly common thing to sacrifice prisoners and slaves to gain favorable warp currents among the Chaos battle fleets; the effectiveness may not be as great but it's possible.

As for creating a warp storm, it happens naturally as a result of daemonic incursion. Pretty much any daemon prince, or even lower daemons can with numbers, can with enough time suck a planet all or part way into the warp. Angron was starting to do it during First Argmageddon and he's a Khornate Daemon Prince.

And, it appears I've forgotten details of the Shadowlight. The Faith and Fire machine, on the other hand, it was claimed by the guy researching it, was able to turn normals into the equals of Malcador the Sigillite. He was probably nuts, but it did seem to be working when he tried it.

No worries, the reason I remember so well is I just got down reading it over again the other day.

Haven't read Faith and Fire because I can't bring myself to buy Jame Swallow's books after the total shit that was the Blood Angels duology.