Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I'm wondering, cause I'm writing a short story about an Inquisitor going after a relic the Eldar captured from a reliquary(for some JUST AS PLANNED action) and yeah.

Yes, they can. SM are quite independent, so the mission, disposition of the SM, rank and reputation of the Inquisitor are all going to factor in whether or not the Chapter accepts the summons or not.

They can ask nicely.

The Space Marines answer only to the High Lords, and even that is sort of "in theory."

Deathwatch is really just the Ordo Xeno and only when they got the Watch fortress on the line or close-by.

But in a pinch, yes they can. As others stated, it all depends on the Inquisitor, both his way of asking and his reputation-at-large and with the Chapter he's asking, the Company Captain/Chapter Master's disposition, what the mission entitles, etc etc...Though from what I've read, if they accept the Marine commander is generally on par authority with the Inquisitor, and the Inquisitor, while dictating the mission and what's to do, have little to no control on just how the marine will tactically approach the situation; if he judges that the Inquisitor's plan does not sit well with the Chapter's doctrines well screw him, we'll drop pod into that heretic's fortress yard instead of fighting his troops on the road there.

The Inquisition has little power over them but they can lie or threaten. How they pull that off would be up to you as the writer. Also, that's catching the tiger by the toe. A thousand of them actually.

Newer chapters have little choice but to accept such a summons. Older, more venerated chapters have a lot more leeway.

The Inquisition sit on par with the High Lords of Terra, who then command everything under them. Space Marine's are permitted autonomy but are under command of the High Lords technically. Adeptus Mechanicus are in equal partnership with the Imperium.

Inquisitors are smart enough to choose wisely when they deal with Space Marines. They generally avoid the Black Templars, Space Wolves and Blood Angels and their successors, they don't like the Inquisition. They will not refuse to help if its really needed though.

SkyD wrote:
The Inquisition sit on par with the High Lords of Terra, who then command everything under them. Space Marine's are permitted autonomy but are under command of the High Lords technically. Adeptus Mechanicus are in equal partnership with the Imperium.

Inquisitors are smart enough to choose wisely when they deal with Space Marines. They generally avoid the Black Templars, Space Wolves and Blood Angels and their successors, they don't like the Inquisition. They will not refuse to help if its really needed though.

Why don't the Blood Angels like the Inquisition? 0.o

 Imperial_Arson wrote:

SkyD wrote:
The Inquisition sit on par with the High Lords of Terra, who then command everything under them. Space Marine's are permitted autonomy but are under command of the High Lords technically. Adeptus Mechanicus are in equal partnership with the Imperium.

Inquisitors are smart enough to choose wisely when they deal with Space Marines. They generally avoid the Black Templars, Space Wolves and Blood Angels and their successors, they don't like the Inquisition. They will not refuse to help if its really needed though.

Why don't the Blood Angels like the Inquisition? 0.o

The Inquisition believe they border on or have started a fall towards Chaos due to their geneseed instability and rumours that surround the Black Rage and Red Thirst.

SkyD wrote:

 Imperial_Arson wrote:

SkyD wrote:
The Inquisition sit on par with the High Lords of Terra, who then command everything under them. Space Marine's are permitted autonomy but are under command of the High Lords technically. Adeptus Mechanicus are in equal partnership with the Imperium.

Inquisitors are smart enough to choose wisely when they deal with Space Marines. They generally avoid the Black Templars, Space Wolves and Blood Angels and their successors, they don't like the Inquisition. They will not refuse to help if its really needed though.

Why don't the Blood Angels like the Inquisition? 0.o

The Inquisition believe they border on or have started a fall towards Chaos due to their geneseed instability and rumours that surround the Black Rage and Red Thirst.

....Wouldn't they have second thoughts about that considering, I think the highest holiday in the Imperium is the Sanguinalia?...
I would think they would not mess with the Space Jesus' sons

Actually, the SW don't dislike the Inquisition per se. They dislike authority that is bestowed rather than earned, but if a respected (by them) Inquisitor asks nicely rather than try to order them around there's no reason they wouldn't comply with the request.

Bran Dawri wrote:
Actually, the SW don't dislike the Inquisition per se. They dislike authority that is bestowed rather than earned, but if a respected (by them) Inquisitor asks nicely rather than try to order them around there's no reason they wouldn't comply with the request.

Im reasonably sure that the events of the First War of Armageddon have soured the relationship between the SW and the Inquisition.

SkyD wrote:
The Inquisition sit on par with the High Lords of Terra, who then command everything under them. Space Marine's are permitted autonomy but are under command of the High Lords technically. Adeptus Mechanicus are in equal partnership with the Imperium.

Inquisitors are smart enough to choose wisely when they deal with Space Marines. They generally avoid the Black Templars, Space Wolves and Blood Angels and their successors, they don't like the Inquisition. They will not refuse to help if its really needed though.

Why don't the BT like the Inquisition? They're probably the best buddies one could ask for when you go purging the heretic or the witch. The Battle of Fire and Blood is a fine example of their service to the Inquisition (also makes me wonder why them and the SoB are Desperate Aliies).

As with all Inquisitor-stuff, it really depends.

One Inquisitor with the right connections, skills, bluffs, etc.. can requisite several Space Marine chapters, or even start crazy experiments like the Exorcists Chapter.

Another Inquisitor might end up in a ditch with a "friendly fire" bullet in the head after trying to requisite the a grumpy Imperial Guard Platoon in the wrong way.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Banzaimash wrote:


Why don't the BT like the Inquisition? They're probably the best buddies one could ask for when you go purging the heretic or the witch. The Battle of Fire and Blood is a fine example of their service to the Inquisition (also makes me wonder why them and the SoB are Desperate Aliies).

Probably historical reference. The real (i.e. historical) Inquisition after all purged and hunted down the real (i.e. historical) Templars to the last man.

Also, before Black Templars were changed to be a bit more "mellow" in the 6th Edition Space Marines Codex, they couldn't ally at all with Psykers, which many Inquisitors (or their henchmen) are, not even other Space Marine Librarians and certainly not Grey Knights, who are ALL Psykers (who were rolled into the same Codex with the Inq. 3rd Ed. to 5th Ed.).

"Old School" Black Templars would've probably also activated their Chainswords the second they saw things like Xenos-Henchmen, Assassins with weird Xenos-Artefacts (e.g. Callidus) and other shenanigans like that.

Comissar79 wrote:

Bran Dawri wrote:
Actually, the SW don't dislike the Inquisition per se. They dislike authority that is bestowed rather than earned, but if a respected (by them) Inquisitor asks nicely rather than try to order them around there's no reason they wouldn't comply with the request.

Im reasonably sure that the events of the First War of Armageddon have soured the relationship between the SW and the Inquisition.

Not really, actually. The inquisitor involved in the events of Armageddon was disliked by most of the inquisition. We must not forget that it is individual Inquistors that hold power and make decisions, not the Inquisition as a whole. So the relationship between the SW and Inquisition would depend on the attitude of the individual Inquisitor involved.

They wouldn't really need to...as the inquisition already has it's own Marines...but they have worked together before against a common enemy...such as the War for Armageddon...Space Wolves and Grey Knights...I would also be inclined to agree with previous post to also suggest that...they could still ask and would be upto the Chapter Master weather they commit any manpower to the cause.

 Iron_Captain wrote:

Comissar79 wrote:

Bran Dawri wrote:
Actually, the SW don't dislike the Inquisition per se. They dislike authority that is bestowed rather than earned, but if a respected (by them) Inquisitor asks nicely rather than try to order them around there's no reason they wouldn't comply with the request.

Im reasonably sure that the events of the First War of Armageddon have soured the relationship between the SW and the Inquisition.

Not really, actually. The inquisitor involved in the events of Armageddon was disliked by most of the inquisition.

He got his marching orders from the higher-ups in the Inquisition.

We must not forget that it is individual Inquistors that hold power and make decisions, not the Inquisition as a whole. So the relationship between the SW and Inquisition would depend on the attitude of the individual Inquisitor involved.

The Inquisitor would have to work hard to overcome the extreme dislike that Logan Grimnar have against the Inquisition.

The whole conflict was only stopped after Logan Grimnar got a stern talking to by Bjorn the Fellhanded.

People keep talking about the authority of the inquisitor, but you also have to keep in mind the pull or fame of the Astartes chapter as well. A famous chapter, or at least one with a long history, is going to have a lot more ability to resist an Inquisitorial request than a freshly commissioned chapter, or one which has been disgraced. The first founding chapters are nearly untouchable; the cursed founding (and other more recent) chapters don't have that authority, and can practically be bossed around as the Inquisitors wish at times.

 Zweischneid wrote:
As with all Inquisitor-stuff, it really depends.

One Inquisitor with the right connections, skills, bluffs, etc.. can requisite several Space Marine chapters, or even start crazy experiments like the Exorcists Chapter.

Another Inquisitor might end up in a ditch with a "friendly fire" bullet in the head after trying to requisite the a grumpy Imperial Guard Platoon in the wrong way.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Banzaimash wrote:


Why don't the BT like the Inquisition? They're probably the best buddies one could ask for when you go purging the heretic or the witch. The Battle of Fire and Blood is a fine example of their service to the Inquisition (also makes me wonder why them and the SoB are Desperate Aliies).

Probably historical reference. The real (i.e. historical) Inquisition after all purged and hunted down the real (i.e. historical) Templars to the last man.

Also, before Black Templars were changed to be a bit more "mellow" in the 6th Edition Space Marines Codex, they couldn't ally at all with Psykers, which many Inquisitors (or their henchmen) are, not even other Space Marine Librarians and certainly not Grey Knights, who are ALL Psykers (who were rolled into the same Codex with the Inq. 3rd Ed. to 5th Ed.).

"Old School" Black Templars would've probably also activated their Chainswords the second they saw things like Xenos-Henchmen, Assassins with weird Xenos-Artefacts (e.g. Callidus) and other shenanigans like that.

Yes BT would probably turn radicals into pate if they saw them, but they'd get on like a heretic on fire with puritans and their null rods. As for the Grey Knights, the BT don't mind them, and they were exempt in the old codex from the 'we hate psykers' thing.

I thought it was generally accepted that the Inquisition technically has authority over the marines, but in practice always "requests" aid instead of ask.

As for the Space Wolves inquisition thing, I'm sure there are some inquisitors that still get along with the wolves. Codex: Inquisition lets you ally Space Wolves with Inquisitors as battle brothers, so...

(The Emperor's Gift and the Space Wolves Ragnar novels had separate examples of inquisitors that were from Fenris, too, I believe)

(pretty sure it's been stated either in FFG or studio fluff that the Ordos Xenos gets along with the wolves just fine, to the point where they'll sometimes even use the wolves as political leeway over the other ordos)

Really, the Inquisition is supposed to be one of the most varied "organizations" of the Imperium so somewhere out there for your imperial faction, there's probably an inquisitor who's your best friend while there's another inquisitor that could be your worse enemy.

TiamatRoar wrote:
I thought it was generally accepted that the Inquisition technically has authority over the marines, but in practice always "requests" aid instead of ask.

This, really. While a single Chapter of marines is nothing compared to the full might of the Empire it's still a powerful force that can respond fast - that's why the Inquisitor is asking for their help after all. They had better have a good reason to not help, but if there is a reason they're likely to get away with it. Throwing the last few companies of a crippled IG regiment at a problem is an every-day solution, but a marine Chapter isn't founded every day - they're likely to be excused and allowed to rebuild if really badly hurt.

Sure, marines can refuse. And inquisitors can punish them for it. But in practice it come down to resources. Is the help of the marines really necessary for some major goal, and if they refuse what will it cost to chastise them? You can't divert a whole crusade at a single Chapter just because they claimed rebuilding their reserves is more important that assaulting some orks somewhere.

 Zweischneid wrote:
Also, before Black Templars were changed to be a bit more "mellow" in the 6th Edition Space Marines Codex, they couldn't ally at all with Psykers, which many Inquisitors (or their henchmen) are, not even other Space Marine Librarians and certainly not Grey Knights, who are ALL Psykers (who were rolled into the same Codex with the Inq. 3rd Ed. to 5th Ed.).

Black Templars actually could ally with Grey Knights in their 4e codex, but not with Grey Knights with a psychic Inquisitor.

 Iron_Captain wrote:

Comissar79 wrote:

Bran Dawri wrote:
Actually, the SW don't dislike the Inquisition per se. They dislike authority that is bestowed rather than earned, but if a respected (by them) Inquisitor asks nicely rather than try to order them around there's no reason they wouldn't comply with the request.

Im reasonably sure that the events of the First War of Armageddon have soured the relationship between the SW and the Inquisition.

Not really, actually. The inquisitor involved in the events of Armageddon was disliked by most of the inquisition. We must not forget that it is individual Inquistors that hold power and make decisions, not the Inquisition as a whole. So the relationship between the SW and Inquisition would depend on the attitude of the individual Inquisitor involved.

If you read the Emperor's Gift, Bjorn the Fell Handed is personally woken up and personally tells the Inquisitors (Jarlsdottyr and the Lord bloke who later gets decapitated by Logan) and a Grey Knight to bugger off sternly, far away from Fenris and never come back, or else.

Logan is particularly disgusted by their backstabbing, lying and dishonourable nature (having already decapitated a Grey Knight Brother Captain), as are numerous other Wolves like Brand Rawthroat. He has to sacrifice many of his Chapter's Rune Priests just to give his fleet the speed to reach Fenris and decimate the Inquisition fleet.

 Melissia wrote:
Newer chapters have little choice but to accept such a summons. Older, more venerated chapters have a lot more leeway.

What's the basis for this?

 Medium of Death wrote:

 Melissia wrote:
Newer chapters have little choice but to accept such a summons. Older, more venerated chapters have a lot more leeway.

What's the basis for this?

Several examples:

Take any of the first founding chapters, and look at how the Inquisition deals with them. Space Wolves get away with wahtever the hell they want, for example. No one questions the Ultramarines, either, and though they question the Blood Angels, they can't really do anything about them because they are so beloved and celebrated throughout the Imperium. And so on and so forth.

Then take newer chapters, and look at how the Inquisition deals with them. The Celestial Lions' objections were completely ignored. The Black Dragons are sent on a crusade to die, with no chance to recruit more initiates. Other minor chapters have even less luck: many have been outright destroyed by the Inquisition in various ways, for doing things which any of the older, more venerated chapters could get away with.

Each individual chapter will have its own ability to ignore or refute the Inquisition's orders or requests based off of its own history and accomplishments. As a general rule, older chapters will thus have more ability to do so, except for those that have fallen from grace.

 Melissia wrote:

 Medium of Death wrote:

 Melissia wrote:
Newer chapters have little choice but to accept such a summons. Older, more venerated chapters have a lot more leeway.

What's the basis for this?

Several examples:

Take any of the first founding chapters, and look at how the Inquisition deals with them. Space Wolves get away with wahtever the hell they want, for example. No one questions the Ultramarines, either, and though they question the Blood Angels, they can't really do anything about them because they are so beloved and celebrated throughout the Imperium. And so on and so forth.

Then take newer chapters, and look at how the Inquisition deals with them. The Celestial Lions' objections were completely ignored. The Black Dragons are sent on a crusade to die, with no chance to recruit more initiates. Other minor chapters have even less luck: many have been outright destroyed by the Inquisition in various ways, for doing things which any of the older, more venerated chapters could get away with.

Each individual chapter will have its own ability to ignore or refute the Inquisition's orders or requests based off of its own history and accomplishments. As a general rule, older chapters will thus have more ability to do so, except for those that have fallen from grace.

Those damn first founding chapters get away with everyhing!

I agree with your description, although I think the Black Dragons were kind of asking for a penitent death crusade. Tampering with their geneseed, exploiting their mutation.

The Flesh Tearers kind of dance the line of almost on the cusp of heresy. I think despite the fact that they are a Second Founding chapter they would still find it hard to resist Inquistorial requests given their unfortunate position in the eyes of the Ecclesiarchy.

A complete contrast to that would be the Minotaurs, who don't need respond to the Inquisition at all.

The Minotaurs are just setting themselves up to be excommunicated and wiped out.

The HLoT do not outrank the Ordos of the Holy Inquisition, and the Minotaurs would do well to remember that.

The High Lords would have a problem with that I think.

As powerful as the Inquisition is they wouldn't cross the High Lords.