Tech Adept
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This article is about the Adeptus Mechanicus rank; for the general term for skilled individuals, see Adept. |
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Tech-Adepts, or Tech-Priest Adepts, are adept grade members of the Martian priesthood. They are skilled in one or more disciplines.[4a] Experts in the Machine,[3a] these individuals are fully initiated acolytes of the Cult Mechanicus and form the bulk of its ordained priesthood.[1e]
Overview
Tech-Adepts can be some of the lowest ranking Tech-Priests of the Martian cult. The lowest ranking among them mainly have maintenance and construction duties, but as a Tech-adept progresses and acquires greater knowledge, they are relieved from the more trivial day-to-day tasks and allowed to study and learn of the greater mysterious and missing techniques that have prevented any kind of progressive development in the Imperium’s technological base.[1a] A Forge World populated by billions of menials might be presided over by tens of thousands of Tech-Priests and millions of Tech-adepts toiling away each day within their local star system.[10]
The general work they might be tasked with can vary greatly depending on their current master and circumstances. Examples include doing menial census work within a food or water starved sector of a Forge-City[8a] or repairing vital life-support machinery.[4b] Many of the lost technological arts used by the Imperium are known only to the Mechanicus priesthood and those they choose to share their sacred knowledge with. Many secrets of manufacturing are now known to but a handful of the inner circle of the Adeptus Mechanicus Magos and their tech-adepts.[1b] Through rune and hammer, the Tech-Adepts are the wards of the arcane and they guard their knowledge jealously.[1c]
Although they might not have yet the same authority and responsibilities as a Tech-Priest master, they still have the potential to control and command a myriad of powerful arcane weapons, automata, and battlegear used by Tech-Priests of various disciplines, should they have the resources and need to do so.[3] They are individuals of proven intellectual potential and skill within the Machine Cult.[2a]
Promotion
Progressing to a higher level in the priesthood meant taking a specialisation, pledging allegiance to one of the Mechanicum’s (or later Mechanicus') myriad factions and all the limitations those things brought. At higher levels, work tends to be more heavily monitored. It isn't uncommon for an Adept of the Priesthood to study under multiple masters of varying fields until they have settled on a field they felt suited them.[8] As they rise in rank, Tech-Adepts can fill any number of specialised fields.[1d] Some examples include Tech-Adept artisans, fabricators,[1b] Skitarius, Secutor, or Dominus.[3a]
Unranked Tech-Adepts can be some of the lowest ranking of the Martian cult. They can serve in general purpose roles or sometimes more specialized ones.[1d] Even if their rank is low, it still places them above most of a Forge World's unranked population. Individuals of little skill or knowledge are lumped into the same unranked masses as uninitiated tech acolyta and unskilled citizens, this lower class includes servitors.[4d]
Equipment
Thanks to their technological indoctrination, Tech-Adepts have access to arcane equipment that can only be operated by the Adeptus Mechanicus. The formidable Omnissian Axe is one such iconic weapon.[3a]
Some cybernetic systems are only provided to tech-adepts of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Some of these Bionic Augmentations and implants include bionic limbs or organs, subskin armour, cerebral implants, various forms of Archeotech, and many others. It is possible for skilled hereteks to implant crude versions of such blessings, for a price, but will risk the wrath of the Machine Cult.[2b] They might also have ceremonial armour that significantly boosts their control over Psiloi Battle-Automata of the Legio Cybernetica.[3a]
Tech-Adepts have been known to innovate new weapon marks[5a] and craft a plethora of the arcane weaponry capable of incredible destruction wielded. These can be any number of exotic or basic technologies from the Dark Age of Technology, such as Graviton guns, lasguns, plasma weapons, rad weapons and beyond.[5b]
Alternatives
A Tech-Adept might forego their rank and role in the Adeptus Mechanicus to pursue other paths in life, taking with them their hunger for knowledge and mastery of arcane technologies. Former Adepts of the Cult Mechanicus may instead choose to fully commit themselves to the service of an Inquisitor or Rogue Trader. Some have even risen to the rank of Inquisitor.[3]
Trivia
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- Also note that tech-priests, even high ranking ones like Magos, sometimes refer to each other, either individually or in general, as "Adepts".[6] It is used in a non distinct manner, typically when referring to an ordained member of the priesthood.[4d] Some Magos even allow inferiors to simply refer to them as adept to simplify and streamline certain interactions with those less initiated into the machine cult.[11]
- The distinguishes a tech-priest and tech-adept isn't entirely clear. However, there are instance where the term "tech-priest" and "tech-adept", and "apprentice" are used as separate or distinct groups in some way within the Machine Cult.[7][10]
See also
Sources
- 1: Dark Heresy Core Rulebook:
- 2: Dark Heresy Second Edition: Core Rulebook:
- 3: Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Prophecy:
- 3a: Character Creation background, Tech-Adept
- 4: Belisarius Cawl: The Great Work (Novel):
- 5: Dark Heresy: Inquisitor's Handbook:
- 6: Deus Ex Mechanicus (Short Story) — Words of Blood (Anthology)
- 7: Dark Heresy: The Lathe Worlds, pg. 20
- 8: Wolfsbane (Novel), Chapter 3
- 9: Wrath & Glory: Forsaken System Player's Guide, pg. 109
- 10: Wrath & Glory: Redacted Records 2, pg. 47
- 11: Day of Ascension (Novel), Chapter 6
