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In a nutshell, how often does this sort of thing happen:



I have been trying to ply into the depths of 40k lore lately and trying to come up with a new, very compelling campaign, and I think I'm nearing that point. I am trying to set the campaign among a heavily populated area, in a situation where Sisters of Battle or perhaps even Space Marines might actually have to exist around citizens/civilians. In a way, you could say they would be dealing with civilians/the populace etc. in the same *ballpark* way that the Inquisition and acolytes normally do. Undergoing a mission, investigation, or perhaps even most relevant to me - set to temporarily defend or guard certain areas for a small period of time due to something or someone(s) of great importance being in the area.

But how often does that happen?

I can picture it more easily with Sisters of Battle, which I think would be fine as I know they're going to play a central role in my upcoming campaign, but regardless, have there been any written works or examples of this sort of thing out there? That is, in Black Library books, 40k FFG RPG's, etc.? I've read and glanced at tons of 40k things over the years, but there are only a scant few such examples I can think of that kind of show this sort of 'interaction'.

But what such examples might you all, the meta-community if you will, be aware of?

SoB commonly serve as bodyguards for high-ranking Ecclesiarchy officials. IIRC, every Cardinal has at least a squad on hand at all times. SoB probably spend more time interacting with Imperial citizens than they do fighting the Imperium's enemies.

They also have a sort of 'Internal Affairs' investigative role inside the Ecclesiarchy, checking up on priests and other officials to make sure they've not drifted too far into heterodoxy.

Assuming the fluff hasn't changed since I last followed it seriously.

Space Marines are very often less 'social' than other aspects of the Imperium's military forces. The way they are conditioned, the way their minds work, their experiences- and even their long life spans make interacting with 'regular people' seem awkward and weird, perhaps even pointless.

Not to mention, most people have never even seen an Astartes, except perhaps in artistic renditions or vague descriptions. Interactions with civilians could be strained even if they outright see them as immortal demigods- after all, those situations tend to have people being less forthcoming and direct.

That being said, some reasons for Astartes to be among civilians-

A hive under siege would be a good one- perhaps the Astartes are trying to push various aspects of the local government and civil services to act on certain things to keep the hive from falling to the enemy.

Perhaps the local PDF is severely diminished and a clever Captain may have his Astartes rally the remaining civilians to take up whatever arms they can find and repel the enemy- the very presence of one of the "Emperor's Angels" is enough to inspire people, as this was part of the Emperor's intent.

As far as 'investigations' go? Well, let's put it this way- if I'm selling Xeno-crack in the lower hives and an 8-foot-tall power-armored killing machine with a selective-fire weapon that shoots mini-grenades and chainsaw sword is asking questions about my Xenocrack... you can bet your Emperor-loving ass I'm about to pack up the lab and get offworld like they're coming after me for child support.

Depends on how you define "Sisters of Battle" I suppose-- the Sisters have numerous non-militant orders, the most famous of which in the Imperium being the Orders Hospitaller whom run hospitals across the imperium, from battlefields to hive worlds. Sisters of Battle are members of the church whom are empowered by faith and dedication, rather than genetically enhanced supermutants, bear in mind, so the two aren't that comparable (although they are described as being similar in combat prowess in many parts of the lore).

First a general reply - I suppose it really depends on the faction but I also wanted to open this up to folks like Deathwatch, Grey Knights, uhh...Storm Troopers etc - all the non-inquisitorial big Imperium factions. Just to get an idea

Duskweaver wrote:SoB commonly serve as bodyguards for high-ranking Ecclesiarchy officials. IIRC, every Cardinal has at least a squad on hand at all times. SoB probably spend more time interacting with Imperial citizens than they do fighting the Imperium's enemies.

They also have a sort of 'Internal Affairs' investigative role inside the Ecclesiarchy, checking up on priests and other officials to make sure they've not drifted too far into heterodoxy.

Assuming the fluff hasn't changed since I last followed it seriously.

That's true, isn't it? That could give me a ton of ins, I suppose. Though do you think there are other parts within the Adepta Sororitas that would more readily do this investigating than the bolter-toting kind?

Adeptus Doritos wrote:Space Marines are very often less 'social' than other aspects of the Imperium's military forces. The way they are conditioned, the way their minds work, their experiences- and even their long life spans make interacting with 'regular people' seem awkward and weird, perhaps even pointless.

Not to mention, most people have never even seen an Astartes, except perhaps in artistic renditions or vague descriptions. Interactions with civilians could be strained even if they outright see them as immortal demigods- after all, those situations tend to have people being less forthcoming and direct.

That being said, some reasons for Astartes to be among civilians-

A hive under siege would be a good one- perhaps the Astartes are trying to push various aspects of the local government and civil services to act on certain things to keep the hive from falling to the enemy.

Perhaps the local PDF is severely diminished and a clever Captain may have his Astartes rally the remaining civilians to take up whatever arms they can find and repel the enemy- the very presence of one of the "Emperor's Angels" is enough to inspire people, as this was part of the Emperor's intent.

As far as 'investigations' go? Well, let's put it this way- if I'm selling Xeno-crack in the lower hives and an 8-foot-tall power-armored killing machine with a selective-fire weapon that shoots mini-grenades and chainsaw sword is asking questions about my Xenocrack... you can bet your Emperor-loving ass I'm about to pack up the lab and get offworld like they're coming after me for child support.

That is absolutely brilliant THANK you for those examples. They really reinforce and give me some good ideas. I suppose it would have to be a pretty epic reason for Astartes to get involved though, but it would certainly be interesting if they were given a tip on xenocrack etc., and there were no Inquisitors or even Arbites (that could be trusted) around...that would probably signal a captain etc. to send his Astartes in...

Melissia wrote:Depends on how you define "Sisters of Battle" I suppose-- the Sisters have numerous non-militant orders, the most famous of which in the Imperium being the Orders Hospitaller whom run hospitals across the imperium, from battlefields to hive worlds. Sisters of Battle are members of the church whom are empowered by faith and dedication, rather than genetically enhanced supermutants, bear in mind, so the two aren't that comparable (although they are described as being similar in combat prowess in many parts of the lore).

That really gets to what I was saying above^. Which factions of Sisters would be more likely to be among the populace than others, I wonder?

I recall the Rynn's world novel having crimson fists leading a civilian caravan to safety. I don't remember the details but that might be a good place to start.

Don't the Salamanders spend time with their families on Nocturne fairly regularly?

I forget the chapter but there was a short story where a space marine was lost on a planet and integrated with the local populace, a creature was rampaging and destroying vilagges that turned out to be a carnifex, he ended up throwing himself and it into a volcano to save the people, think he had also lost his memory somehow.

I imagine it depends on the world - Macragge probably has the regular populace interacting with Ultramarines going about tasks in the city near their Fortress Monastery, while other worlds would have much less interaction or even see them as angels of the Emperor or something similar.

Inquisitors also give you a lot of power to tie things together; fluff wise, their capacity to recruit units from multiple factions for specific missions.

Right now, the rules for Inquisition are wonky- the battle brothers rule wrecked Inquisition; the rules for the Corvus Blackstar RAW also cast doubt on whether or not an Inquisitor can hitch a ride.

It's too bad, because a Corvus, an Inquisitor, an Assassin and two five man Deathwatch kill teams is a really cool, mission specific add in detachment that you can have laying around for whenever the campaign needs it.

Even better? The Hereticus Pskyer Slaying detachment: Greyfax, a Cullexus Assassin, a squad of SoS Vigilators and a squad of SoS Prosecutors mounted in a Kharon Pattern Acquisitor.

UMs and Sallies are fairly well established as making an effort to be civilian-friendly as much as circumstances permit. Other Chapters probably vary depending on their geneseed and traditions.

 Netsurfer733 wrote:
That really gets to what I was saying above^. Which factions of Sisters would be more likely to be among the populace than others, I wonder?

The Orders Famulous and the Orders Hospitaller both interact regularly with "the public", with the Famulous helping keep the Imperial Church's control over the noble families, and the Hospitaller running hospitals and doing battlefield medic stuff. The Orders Dialogous help keep track of the nearly uncountable dialects and languages in the Imperium, which requires them to interact with people across the entire Imperium. The Orders Sabine act along with the Missionarius Galaxia to discover new worlds and set them up for conversion to the Imperial Faith. The Orders Madriga train Imperial Choirs. Etc. There's also local orders that are specific to sectors, subsectors, systems, or evne planets.

I suppose you could have events of escorting tithe gathering ships perhaps? The emperor needs those delicious human souls after all.

Other than that some potential mini uprisings, inquisitorial shenanigans maybe.

Also logically im sure some planets might be used as scouting outposts where the astrates would land a detachment so they would set up temporary bases to keep an eye out on a passing fleet or what not. Not far fetched they might rub shoulders with some locals as either allies or ruthless overlords telling them to bring resources or be purged.

 Netsurfer733 wrote:
Though do you think there are other parts within the Adepta Sororitas that would more readily do this investigating than the bolter-toting kind?

The 2nd edition SoB codex makes clear the non-militant orders also keep tabs on various parts of the Imperium, yes.

All the stuff the mediaeval Catholic Church used to do for the poor and sick is also done by the Orders Hospitaller (providing hospitals, alms houses, soup kitchens, schools, hostels, homeless shelters...), which means they "witness many things unseen outside their wards". Their reputation for saintly compassion means people will tell them things they'd never dare say to an Arbites watchman or an Inquisitor.

Sisters Dialogus accompany diplomatic missions, both within and without the Imperium. The local leaders of the AdMech and the Administratum are having a meeting? A Sister Dialogus is probably there in the room to mediate, and she'll report back what is said to her superiors. A new Governor is assigned to a world? He'll have a Sister Dialogus with him to help him with the local dialect and customs... and again she will report back on all his decisions and conduct.

Sisters Famulous arrange marriages between nobles and act as governesses for their children. If a member of the nobility is getting involved in something shady and possibly heretical, his family's Sister Famulous is likely to find out about it long before an Inquisitor sniffs it out.

I think Sisters Militant are most likely to be the ones uncovering corruption or heresy in the ranks of the Ecclesiarchy itself, though, thanks to their bodyguard role.

HoundsofDemos wrote:
I recall the Rynn's world novel having crimson fists leading a civilian caravan to safety. I don't remember the details but that might be a good place to start.

Yeah, they lead a caravan to safety and there are a ton of interactions (both positive and negative) within the capitol city itself. Most Black Library novels where the Space Marines are on the defense has interactions between Space Marines and civilians, but Rynn's World has that as a big part of the book.

This is all fantastic...I really do have some ideas to mull over. Though I think given the RPG-aspect, I'm going to have to focus on gun-toting Sisters as opposed to the Hospitallers etc. That MIGHT be limiting, unless they try to pay a visit to those other orders such as the Hospitallers.

Based on what you all said, right now I'm thinking that this players' sisters have been sent to guard an Ecclesiarchy woman who is preaching something around a hive city on Necromunda, but she is known to have issues and run off either for drugs or other stimuli. At one point she goes missing, and thus the Sisters are left to hurriedly investigate things, going around and interacting/intimidating folks, etc. Any thoughts on that?