Venator Gang
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| Venator Gangs symbol[1a] | |
| Affiliation: | Imperium |
| Found on: | Necromunda |
Venators Gangs, also known as Venator Bands,[2] are coalitions of Bounty Hunters from Necromunda who pursue bounties for profit.[1a] Some verge on being Death Cults and are tolerated only as long as their lethal skills benefit the Imperial House.[1b]
Venator gangs receive sanctioning through various forms, including oath-tokens traded by the Merchants Guilds. Guilders maintain their own Venator cadres, such as the Adjurators who hunt down oathbreakers and the Shacklemen who recapture escaped slaves. Specialized tasks are often assigned to unique individuals like Eyros Slagmyst, who leads Water Harvesters in enforcing guild law against water thieves.[1a]
Contents
Composition
Former Gangers
The most common Bounty Hunters are former gang members. They may turn to bounty hunting for various reasons: being cast out by their House for serious offenses, tiring of oppressive under-bosses, or seeking greater wealth and adventure beyond the gang hierarchy.[1a]
Despite leaving their gangs, these individuals often retain the symbols of their House identity, using familiar weapons and armour while working alongside former enemies. Many maintain close connections with their old gang mates, keeping valuable channels open for specialist equipment and insider information.[1a]
Off-worlders
Venator bands on Necromunda are not limited to locals; they include off-worlders, Mutants, Abhumans, and even Xenos. Notable Bounty Hunters like Gor Halfhorn, Yar Umbra, and Grendl Grendlsen have led or joined Venator crews. Some of the most feared Venators come from Executioner Families, such as the Wu-Kang, known for their close combat skills and distinctive tattoos, and the Jarlgar Headhunters, who are relentless and nomadic. Others, like the Janus Clan, are clone collectives created by House Escher.[1b]
Psykers
Psykers and psyker hunters are integral to Venator gangs, particularly those hunting the highly dangerous Rogue Psykers, who pose a severe threat due to their unstable Warp powers.[1b]
Sanctioned psy-hunters, like Ortruum 8-8, offer their services to Venators, while groups like the Psylock Cabals provide long-term support. Entire psyker gangs, such as the Wyrd Brethren, operate under special Imperial House dispensation, provided they adhere to obedience implants.[1b]
Witch Hunters
These hunts are so perilous that only the most experienced Venators, known as Witch Hunters and driven by religious zeal as much as by the lure of wealth, dare to pursue them. These hunters often use anti-psy tech or religious faith to protect themselves. Some gangs, like the Red Brothers or the Hammer of Psykers, are dedicated to eradicating witches and mutants. There are rumours of Ministorum and Adepta Sororitas members leading such gangs.[1b]
Rites of Initiation
For many, joining a Venator band is a near-religious experience, often marked by elaborate rituals. Ancient traditions in Necromunda's hives require Bounty Hunters to relinquish their personal identities during the hunt, adopting hoods, snarling masks, and sometimes executioner’s nooses as symbols of faith. When these Venators arrive in a settlement, death is sure to follow.[1c][2]
Known Venator Gangs
- Adjurators - The Merchants Guild's own order of bounty hunters.[1b]
- Brayhorn Boys - Abhuman Venators Gang[2]
- Broken Blades[1b]
- Hammer of Psykers[1b]
- Janus Clan - One of the Executioner Families[3a]
- Jarlgar Headhunters - One of the Executioner Families[1b]
- Jaws of the Emperor[1b]
- Kal Jerico's Profiteers[3]
- Psylock Cabals[1b]
- Red Brothers[1b]
- Shacklemen[1a]
- Sons of Grindel - Abhuman Venators Gang[2]
- Sump Snakes[1b]
- Underhive Cutters[4]
- Venator Witch Hunters[1b]
- Wu-Kang - One of the Executioner Families[1b]
- Wyrd Brethren[1b]
Images
Venators concept art by John Blanche for the ruleset of Confrontation (1991)[5]
Venator concept art by John Blanche for the ruleset of Confrontation (1991)[5]
See also
Sources
- 1: Necromunda: The Book of Peril:
- 2: White Dwarf May 2018, pg. 109 – Necromunda: Venator Bands
- 3: White Dwarf April 2019, pg. 106 – Battle Report : Necromunda: Calling in the Hit
- 4: Necromunda Facebook Page: NecroMonday (posted on 30/09/2019)
- 5:White Dwarf 131 (UK), pg. 67 – Confrontation: Gangs
