Tech Gang
Tech gang (also spelled “Tech-Gang”) is a term for technologically savvy gangs found on different world in the Imperium.[1][2a]
Desoleum
The Tech-Gangs of Desoleum’s Underhive are entranced with technology and worship the machine, with many having links to the activities of the Cult Mechanicus in the higher hive levels.[2a] Most members have poorly-made and poorly-installed bionics and other mechanical augmentations; they perform surgery once their hive-made devices are deemed fit for implantation, not waiting for actual injury to require the artificial replacements. Those bionics are crude but powerful, and to wear tech a ganger has constructed themselves is a sign of honour. Those gangs with an exiled Tech-Priest or heretek among them can feature truly imaginative and shocking bionics. [2a]
The Tech-Gangers worship guns (often literally), especially energy weapons of any kind; rivals have gone to war just to capture a single plasma pistol. In combat they often have greater firepower but often not enough skill to use it properly. Many do better for themselves repairing vehicles and other machines, becoming valuable enough to protect against enemy actions. Some gangs include servitors, mostly captured in upper-hive raids, with a few gangs creating their own from lobotomised members with implanted and experimental augmentations. These rarely live long.[2b] Their garb is heavy and industrial, but always cut away clothing to reveal their proud mechanical augmentations. Many sport bald heads and paint their skin with metallic paints or even brush on molten metal, the better to bond with the machine. Few of them have working oath-cogs anymore, but they try to create their own inferior versions, more to mimic the mechanical style than to indicate actual oath-data.[2b]
Many Tech-Gangs have extensive networks amongst the tech-prospectors that trawl the sump-lakes for archaeotech relics and xenostech, and when a new discovery happen, these gangs are often the first to know.[2b]
Known tech-gangs on Desoleum
Necromunda
The techs of Necromunda, be it belong to a distinctive tech clan or a specialised group withing a larger clan, often form collectives to protect themselves from exploitation by other groups. Such associations of protection and defence often mature into gangs that are as aggressive, in their own way, as any other in the hives. Tech gangs have a pool of skills which means that they can often trade for materials from the factory levels. They deal in drugs, chemicals and weapons, trading these goods for technological relics and rare raw materials scavenged from the underhive.[1]
They are not noted for crude ferocity but are widely respected for their expertise with weapons and equipment, and access to unusual and technically advanced weaponry.[1]
Tech gangs are concerned with protection of their territory (with workshops, industrial plants and associated living areas for the tech families) and tech business interest from rivals and other threats.[1]
The initiation rites for new tech gangers can involve technological implants or advanced forms of tattooing.[1]
