Codex Unforgiven

The Interrogator Chaplains

                The Origins of the Order of Interrogator Chaplains

                After the destruction of blessed Caliban and the loss of our Primarch was the body of the Heretic Luther recovered. Within his mortal shell still survived the breathe of life and he was brought before the surviving Grand Masters of the Legion who now held council aboard the Pride of Caliban. Held by great chains he was, and as he sat before the Grand Masters they saw in him little more than disgust. Disgust in that the blessed Lion’s most trusted friend had spat on all oaths of loyalty, and turned to the dark powers of Chaos. Disgust in that here sat the man who had led the Legion into ruin. Disgust in that here was the man who had killed their lord. As the Grand Masters were prepared to execute the traitor, one of the Legions surviving Chaplains stood, and demanded that the traitor be made to repent his Sins.

            The Masters debated between themselves about this course of action for two standard Terran days before they decided that the most dedicated and faithful of those in the Legion should be allowed to interrogate the Heretic. It is recorded by scribes at the time, that the most senior of the Chaplains was decided upon, and he chose five of his most loyal adepts to aid him. Luther was taken to the deepest parts of the bowels of the great vessel, Pride Of Caliban, and the six Chaplains were granted access to him alone. It is unrecorded of what happened in those chambers, all that is known is those who entered the chamber were never the same. As they exited the chamber, all felt the great shame and guilt they now carried. It seemed as though the burden of years had hurriedly been placed upon them, the dark knowledge they know knew threatening to corrupt them. The six ‘Interrogator-Chaplains’ met before the Grand Masters. Their dark brooding presences noticeable to all who were now present in the chamber. They spoke of terrible things, of how Chaos had slowly crept back onto Caliban, how they had corrupted a once noble figure, and how such corruption led to the destruction of Caliban.

            They spoke of how not all those corrupted by Chaos had been proven unforgivable, and through death had gained redemption. And they spoke of the truths told them by the Heretic Luther and the great weight it placed upon their souls. They talked of the stain on the Legion’s honour, and how such a stain must be removed. The Chaplains advocated the hunting of all those fallen from grace, for those who had failed in their duty to be made repent their sins and thus absolved. The gathered Grand Masters thought of this, before Grand Master Leudegran stepped forward and asked the six Chaplains whether they would be able to gain the repentance of those fallen, whether the burden of those truths spoken and whether the horrors of Chaos would taint their souls. The Grand Master of Chaplains stepped forward, and stated the famous words that are sworn by every Interrogator Chaplain upon elevation.

If we must, we shall obtain their repentance, their very souls rely on our ability, and we shall deliver. Till the end of eternity we shall endeavour if we must, That those who have fallen from grace be redeemed.

Satisfied with this response, the gathered Grand Masters accepted the proposal, and so began the hallowed ranks of Interrogator Chaplains. They were accepted to the newly formed Inner Circle, where the knowledge of the Fallen could be used to best effect, and they were stood apart from all other duties, passing on their Company commitments to the other Chaplains of the Legion.

Rituals and Traditions of the Interrogator Chaplains

            The Interrogator Chaplains of our blessed orders are known to be amongst the most pure of heart and strong of will by the scholars of the Imperium and as fearsome enemies by those who oppose the Emperor’s light. Over the many centuries several traditions and rituals have been adopted by the Interrogator Chaplains, most unique to the Legion as a whole.

            Most of the Interrogator Chaplains are known to spend much of their time in meditation. Unlike their brethren Chaplains, they do not preach the word of the Cult Leo, and are indeed very quiet, solemn individuals. Constantly fighting the predations of Chaos and the horrific words spoken by those Fallen who are captured, the first Interrogator Chaplains were known to spend as many as three standard Terran days in meditation before even attempting the spiritually tough process of interrogation. This tradition has been passed down the centuries, and all Interrogator Chaplains will spend at least two standard Terran days, although the number of days spent in meditation has been known to reach up to 14 standard Terran days (ref. 2008/4.f Master Chaplain rename) in meditation before even entering an Interrogation Chamber.

            Another peculiar aspect of the Interrogator Chaplains is the tradition of the Black Pearl. For every Fallen who has repented his Sins, an Interrogator Chaplain will add a Black Pearl to his blessed rosarius. Why this is, is unknown, but it is widely believed by Scholars to be symbolic,  representing the dark sins of whose weight now falls on the Chaplains shoulders.

            Within the halls of the Librarium resides one of our most holy relics, the Book of Salvation. Within these pages is the name of every one of those who forswore their oaths of fealty. It is an ancient tome and is kept within the most secure stasis vaults. Every time one of the Fallen is captured and has repented, a gathering of the Interrogator Chaplains will take place, where the most senior of those present will strike their name from the book, declaring them forgiven.

            The Tools of Interrogation

            Many are the tools of Interrogation used by the Interrogator Chaplains of the Unforgiven. They range from the dreaded Blades of Reason to the equally feared but less well known Chamber of Repentance. As well as these tools, the Interrogator Chaplains are also known for their expertise in the skills of torture within the hallowed Interrogation Chambers.

            The Blades of Reason. The most well known of the tools of the Interrogator Chaplains. The Blades of Reason take the form of many finely delicate and finely sharpened blades. Etched within them are power relays, akin to that used in Power weapons, only of less power, and therefore they are less lethal. They are used to slowly pierce the skin of the Fallen, setting the nerves on fire as electrical energy passes through their bodies, but such is the skill of the Interrogator Chaplains, very few fatalities have been known to be caused by them.

            The Heretics Fork. One of the less well known of the tools used by Interrogator Chaplains is the Heretics Fork. It consists of two forks set against each other, with each set of prongs rammed into the flesh under the Chin and above the Chest respectively.  It is held in place by a small collar which is strapped around the neck of the Fallen, where it is left for days on end, forcing them to keep their head erect and limiting any movement available.

            The Chair of Penitence. Another of the less well known devices which are used by the Interrogator Chaplains is the Chair of Penitence. It is in its most basic form a chair covered with spikes into which the Fallen is forcefully strapped. Then a great tome listing all the sins of the Fallen is placed upon their lap, the very weight of the tome pushing the Fallen onto the spikes. Here they are left for as much as a standard Terran week at a time. Although not fatal, the psychological effects of this device are its strength, and through its use many a confession has been received.

            The Chamber of Repentance. Resembling a Sarcophagus in structure, the Chamber of Repentance is truly a terrible device, first used by the Interrogator Chaplains late in the 33^rd Millennium. On the outside it resembles a simple adamantium coffin. But inside is where its secrets lay. Fitted to each of the four walls are spikes, which are designed to pierce the skin, whilst missing vital organs. This ensures that the Fallen is kept in an upright position at all times while fully conscious and alive. The other feature of this device is that the Fallen is kept within such a contained space, that those who have been enclosed for long periods of time have been known to develop cases of what the Apothecaries call Claustrophobius aiding the Interrogator Chaplains in their duties.

            The Rack One of the more usual devices found in the Interrogation Chambers. It is quite a simple device, but herein lies its deadliness. Consisting of an Adamantium slab with a roller at each end. The victim's feet are manacled to one roller, and the wrists are chained to the other, and ancient motors slowly turn the rollers, placing increasing strain on the joints of the heretic as he is stretched out.

            The Emperor’s Mercy The Emperor’s Mercy is the term used for the Whip used by the Interrogator Chaplains. Each one of the ten tails is crafted from fine Adamantium links and carefully barbed with electro shock wires. The Heretic is tied to two Poles in the middle of the Chamber. His feet are manacled along with his wrists so he is standing in a rough x shape figure, and the Chaplain will lash his back until the Heretic either confesses or the profuse bleeding has become too great, in which case the Heretic will be taken down and places in chains against a wall.

            As well as the many devices used by the Interrogator Chaplains, the skills and techniques employed are also very important in the interrogation. Techniques such as deprivation of the senses, forced ingestion of hot liquids or an extreme range of noises broadcast through the chamber by Dialogous servitors.

The Interrogator Chaplain must be patient in their exercises. To ensure a complete and full account is given the Fallen. And although the Fallen are still our genetically modified brethren, they require time to heal of their injures as any soldier. The art of the Interrogator Chaplain therefore is a subtle one, inflicting as much pain as possible, but as little injury as is required and it is not unknown for an interrogation to last many standard Terran months as the Interrogator Chaplain obtains his confession.

            In addition to the skills of the Interrogator Chaplains, the skills of Epistolaries within the Chapter may be employed to mentally break the heretic before Interrogation occurs. Using their psychic powers, A Librarian is capable of breaking the spirit of the heretic in his mind, before the Chaplain breaks his body and spirit. In the few circumstances where this has occurred, great success has been achieved, with 90% of the heretics repenting their crimes after only two Standard Terran weeks of interrogation.

            Within the Chapter itself lies the rank of Apothecarius Repentius, or also known as The Healer of the Repentant. Whilst not a battlefield rank, it is an important one, for it is their job to see to the wounds and ensure the survival of a captured Fallen until the Chaplain decides to let them die. The rank is usually held by the Master of the Apothecarion of the Chapter, himself a Grand Master and privy to the secrets of Dark Angels. It has only been with the help of the Apothecary’s within the Dark Angels Chapter that the Interrogator Chaplains have access to the many tools of Interrogation they use.

            The Interrogation Chambers

            Deep within the bowels of the Tower of Angels lay the Interrogation Chambers of the Dark Angels, although it is well documented that our successor chapters also maintain such facilities. Precluded from the rest of the Fortress Monastery by a number of secret tunnels and closed portals these vast rooms are the domain of the Deathwing and the Inner Circle alone.

            Each of the Interrogation chambers is barred by a heavy set portal, and is protected by wards blessed by the Interrogator Chaplains themselves. Behind these doors lay vast chambers, where the walls are simply uncarved stone and water drips constantly from the ceilings. Lights hang from the roof, illuminating the room and throwing the chambers into stark contrast. Usually a Heavy wooden table will be set out, covered with the tools that will be required, and various devices are placed around the chamber. The walls themselves are set with heavy adamantium chains, in which the fallen will be clamped while the Interrogator fulfils his grim duty. The screams of the Fallen echoing around the Monastery like a ghostly echo. To the rest of the Chapter, these chambers do not exist, and the screams are just the echo’s of times long past, to the Deathwing it is a solemn reminder of their duty, and to the all it is a reminder of their oaths to the Chapter as a whole.

            The path to the Interrogator

            As would be expected within our most blessed of chapters, the rise to the rank of Chaplain, and the even greater ascension to the rank of Interrogator Chaplain is very demanding, both spiritually and physically. As like dictated by the Codex Astartes only though who are pure of heart can be inducted to the rank of Chaplain, where they learn the sermons of the Cult Leo, and are further inducted into the ranks of the hallowed Deathwing.

            Although the path is tough, the Codex Astartes deems such a task agreeable, and so it has remained since the Emperor’s martyrdom and ascension. Once the rank of Chaplain is achieved by an aspirant, they are under the eyes of the Interrogator Chaplains, who will watch his development as a spiritual brother of the Chapter.

            When it is deemed by the Interrogator Chaplains that a possible aspirant is discovered, they will take the aspirant into the depths of the Rock. It is here where the continuous screams of the Fallen echo most loudly, and many an aspirant has been driven insane by the experience. This is the first of the Trials. Only those who can bear to hear the most painful andl tortuous screams can be accepted into the ranks of Interrogator Chaplaincy.

            Deep within the bowels of the Rock, in the most secure section of the Fortress lays the stasis tomb of the Heretic Luther. Although his body may be frozen, such is the aura of despair that surrounds him, that all who look into his eyes are spiritually stirred. It is here that the Aspirants are brought next, before the last surviving statue of Luther behind which lays the body of the heretic. Here they shall spend the next standard Terran week in meditation, dwelling upon the Sins of the past, of how the mighty can fall from grace, and of their own weaknesses. It is only through the realization that their can be no weakness in their resolve that the Interrogator Chaplain can fulfil his grim duty, and it is here they shall realize that their loyalty must reside with the Lion, and not with False Gods, as happened to traitor Luther.

            After the second trial, the Chaplain will have become a grim brooding individual, knowing that he must do whatever is necessary in his duty. Now the Third Trial will be set, and this is usually where most aspirants will fail. The Aspirant is taken to one of the great Interrogation Chambers where they are subjected to the most intense tortures available. It is only through repentance of all Sins and complete cleansing of the soul can one be deemed worthy to join the ranks of the Interrogator Chaplains. Although this practice has proven to be fatal many times, it has also been the key in maintaining that only the most pure of heart and soul join the ranks of Interrogator Chaplaincy.

Ranks within the Order of Interrogator Chaplains

Interrogator Chaplain The rank of Interrogator Chaplain is the lowest rank in the Hierarchy of Interrogator Chaplaincy. It is the rank assumed after one leaves the order of Chaplains to become and Interrogator Chaplain.

Interrogator Master Chaplain The rank of Interrogator Master Chaplain fulfil the same purpose as its equivalent rank within the Order of Chaplains, in that they maintain the spiritual purity of the Chaplains under their command.

Grand Master of Interrogator Chaplains The final rank within the Order of Interrogator Chaplains, the Grand Master of Interrogator Chaplains is usually the most proficient at their deadly arts, and is responsible for the Order of Interrogator Chaplains. As a Grand Master, he also has a seat within the Inner Circle

Grand Master of the Offices of Chaplaincy The rank of Grand Master of the Offices of Chaplaincy is a rank that encompasses both Interrogator Chaplains and Chaplains. It can be achieved by either Order, although there is only one Grand Master at any one time. The Grand Master of Chaplains is responsible for the purity of the Inner Circle itself, and is therefore a very important position.