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So, I was thinking about writing a short story about a Genestealer cult, and I ran across some rather odd twists that come through the fluff. Since I came to the game here in 6th, I have no access to the golden days of Rogue Trader and the early writings of the Genestealer cults. If anyone can help fill in the dots, it would be much appreciated.

So, the first Genestealer on a planet is the Broodlord, and they are the linchpin for brood telepathy amongst the Genestealers. Now, as the Genestealers move amongst the population, they infect the population, turning them into mindless slaves, quickly breeding the slaves to create disguised Genestealers. Now, the oldest purestrain Genestealer is the Patriarch. So, the question stands, does a Broodlord transform into the Patriarch? And when a Patriarch dies, the next oldest purestrain takes over, so is it possible to have multiple purestrain Broodlords in a cult, if one is the patriarch, and the next oldest is the other Broodlord?

Now, onto the telepathy issues, Genestealers do not speak. However, the psychic connection runs into the later strains of Genestealers. So, while the later strains can speak in the language of the native population, can they also instinctively contact the rest of the brood telepathically?

Early strains of Genestealer cannot use local technology, however, strain four genestealers can. Now, strain two Genestealers are mostly beastly, with not much use, while strain three Genestealers are actually bred out in numbers based on certain useful traits like agression and endurance. Strain four genestealers are considered the most valuable, being able to use local technology, such as weapoons, vehicles, etc, etc. the fifth strain recreates the cycle by making a new purestrain Genestealer. So, is it logical to assume that Genestealers would have no issue with actually having a semi-organized combat structure?

On the intelligence of Genestealers, they are separate entities from the Hive Mind. They are sent out to take control of planets to soften them up for future invasion. Is it reasonable to assume that Genestealers, regardless of strain, would have reasonable knowledge of basic functions, such as as the function of certain items, general knowledge of how things work, even if they can't use it themselves?

On the subject of brood telepathy, is it possible that while the leading Genestealer does not know what happened, they can tell when their numbers have decreased, if only through the fact that their bond has weakened through another Genestealer's death, sort of like a phantom pain that lashes back along the synaptic lines?

Now, considering that if a Patriarch dies, the next oldest assumes control, is it possible to then have a Broodlord leading?

Now, Genestealers are the vanguard to a Tyranid invasion. If there was an option between being captured for study, or destroyed, would they willingly allow themselves to be caught, if only to give the Tyranid invasion fleet more time to lock onto their signal, rather than losing it and forcing the invasion to waste time trying to relocate the planet?

First off usually when its genestealer cults then the patriarch is the leader. We dont really know about the relationship of a broodlord and a patriarch at the moment. I think that the broodlord stays on the hulk and sends most of the other genestealers planet side. There the oldest goes patriarch and takes over. When you play broodlords in 40k they usually got dropped from the fleet in orbit I believe.

Idk if they can contact the rest of the brood telepathically but Ill say probably. They just cant contact other tyranids telepathically

Yes there has been cases of genestealer cults having some an organized cult with primarch first next magus then genestealers then generations then everyone else.

They might but only fourth generation is the most likely to use tools and stuff though earlier generations can use some simpler tools as well.

Yes they can retreat when they feel it is necessary.

Yes next oldest. There probably isnt a broodlord as second in command though.

If a genestealer had the choice between destruction and capture it would choose capture. If it escapse on board a ship towards a new world it can infect the crew, there fore spreading it outwords to the stars.

Hope this helped you out.

This is a copy of the Genestealer article that appeared in WD #266. I think you'll find it interesting.

Very. It said much of what I already know, but it also gives me some ideas.

I've never seen anything to suggest pre-4th generation as being mentally stunted, this Eavy Metal pic shows the two one-piece 3rd Generation minis - both armed with (mislabelled) auto weapons, note the one with a pistol is also carrying a powersword.
http://kidcthulhu138.tripod.com/images/classic.jpg
Also note the plastic 2nd generation carrying a plasma pistol. Those plastic hybrids were sold in the Terminators & Tyranids box and came with a heavy weapon sprue with an autocannon, missile launcher and a conversion beamer.

This might be off-topic as Lynata basically solved the initial questions. But In my interpretation of the fluff a Genestealer-cult without a Brood-Lord/Patriarch might fall to Chaos if the human side of the Magos takes control. Of course it's rare, but not unheard of.

Actually originally Genestealer Cults were by definition chaos cults, originally there were three army lists: Invasion, Clan & Cult. Cult was the coolest sounding so when they cut it down to one list they kept that name for everything. Fluffwise it was down to the Patriarch choosing to turn to chaos - typically because it was the only way for the brood to survive.

Wow, I am skeptical about genestealers falling to chaos, but you guys have definitely answered a few of those questions. I wonder though, if they get a phantom pain when they lose a cult member along the synaptic link.

Its OLD fluff. This was before the nid race was getting fleshed out (I believe) Now it really doesnt happen.

The Ciaphas Cain series includes a number of encounters with Genestealer cults which are largely consistent across the series (and scare the pants off said Commissar) the only problem is that said series isn't known for, or intended to be, a primary arbiter of the lore.

It is intended to be humorous, and entirely from the perspective of a man who doesn't exactly know how the universe works, and would, by and large, like it to stop bothering him.

That being said, if you're willing to take it on face value, the author does specify that if a Patriarch is killed, if the brood can survive, another broodlord can rise to take its place, and even a normal 'stealer can in turn evolve into a broodlord, provided it's a purestrain. That requires, however, a creature in place able to hold them together, and in Cain's stories, these are often later-generation 'stealers and use their positions in Imperial society to keep the brood safe, or intend to, before Cain blunders in and kills all of them while he tries to run away.

The interesting thing, however, in those stories, is the cult is characterized as being heavily involved in Imperial society; late-gen stealers operating, for instance, brothels, restaurants and so on, not just within PDF forces and other government wings. Effectively, they breach every segment of society, not just the ones "critical" to subverting the planet and inviting in the nearest hive fleet.

 Unyielding Hunger wrote:

Now, Genestealers are the vanguard to a Tyranid invasion. If there was an option between being captured for study, or destroyed, would they willingly allow themselves to be caught, if only to give the Tyranid invasion fleet more time to lock onto their signal, rather than losing it and forcing the invasion to waste time trying to relocate the planet?

It only has one o!!!!!

Actually if i am correct genestealer cultists have limited free will but belize that the patriarch is their liberator and belive fanatically in him

The 40K Compilation had the most fleshed out info and army lists. http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Warhammer_40,000:_Compilation#.UOW_5W_AeQk

Genestealer Chaos Cults were explained in "Genestealers and Chaos, pg98".

"Genestealers are seldom lured into the worship of Chaos...."

" The Genestealer soul is strong..... it's primeval urge to exist has given rise to a Genestealer power in the Warp"

"It is the source of psychic power the Genestealer or Hybrid may have and can be tapped like a psychic battery."

"The Genestealer's psychic hunger can be fed by any Chaos power, and it is for this reason alone a Patriarch will open himself to the Lords of Chaos, using them as a psychic energy for the brood".