Lore
Though a weapon in hand is essential for surviving in the Dark Millennium, the work of the Holy Ordos is not to win wars. That falls to the Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy, as well as the many other military arms of the Imperium. No, while servants of the Inquisition often fight horrors in the shadows of the Imperium, their singular and unenviable task is to understand those horrors — to investigate them and develop the methods by which they may be opposed or defeated. Worse, not all foes can fall to conventional weaponry — some are better defeated with wit then a blade.
Acquiring Lores
You gain access to Lores by buying Traits. Most characters will have access to at least one Lore, but some serve the Inquisition with brawn rather than brains and will know none of the Imperium's darker secrets.
It is perfectly legitimate to play a character who begins play with no Lores; you do not need to read this page if you prefer this option.
Using Lores
Lores may provide you with briefing sheets and local information prior to a game. They can also be actively used in a few ways:
You may receive a Lore brief prior to a game, or during downtime when something relevant to one of your Lores or specialisms comes up.
Secondly, Lore gives you the ability to Investigate by picking up clues.
Some Lores allow for additional things such as speaking alien languages and some allow minor mechanical abilities.
The final use of Lore is in allowing players to carry out research in downtime, and receive answers of varying accuracy — depending on how broad their knowledge is and how relevant their specialisms are.
Lore Types
The six Disciplines of Lore represent a broad general knowledge of a subject area, whereas Specialisms are specific areas of each discipline that represent 'advanced' knowledge in a specialist subject.
You cannot have a Specialism if you do not possess the relevant Discipline it is tied to.
Malleus
The Malleus discipline represents a specialist in studying, interacting and combating the forces of the Warp, be they the ruinous powers themselves or the myriad of daemons and other psychic entities that live within that nightmare realm. This lore is considered threatening to the very soul of someone who learns it and as a result those who bear it are encouraged not to share their knowledge, lest they damn the innocent.
Malleus Specialisms
The Soul and Death
This specialism represents a fundamental understanding of the metaphysical nature of human existence in the context of the warp, both in the form of the soul, and in what little the Inquisition truly understands, or at least theorises, about what happens when you die. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the nature of the soul, ghosts and how they interact with reality, and how the Warp can corrupt the soul.
Daemonology
This specialism represents the practical study of Daemons and their nature as the native inhabitants and creations of the Realm of Chaos and the Dark Gods. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: identifying signs of a Daemonic summoning, identifying signs of their coming, and understanding elements of their nature, as well as knowledge of specific known Daemons.
Note: Death unto Darkness does not rely heavily on traditional depictions of Daemons from 40k canon. Because we are not producing a tabletop game, we like our Daemons to have breadth and variety not found in the canon, which exists to support a game with defined units. We prefer our Daemons to be more twisted and varied in form and role.
Warp Mutants, Warp-Gifts and Psychic Powers
This specialism represents an understanding of the fundamentals behind how psykers and other mortals interact with the Warp. This includes both the study of unnatural abilities gifted by the Warp, and how it can corrupt and twist the body. This does not cover non-psyker mutants, who are, in the majority, a creation of evolution and environmental conditions rather than the Warp — despite the Imperium’s inability to tell the difference.
Followers of the Dark Gods
This specialism represents a more fundamental understanding of the varied mortal servants of Chaos, their rituals, their secret signs and tongues, and known groups. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: what is understood about the technobarbarian tribes of subsector Tenebris, known cults of the Dark Gods, and what little the Inquisition knows about Traitor Astartes in the Prosperitas Sector. It does not cover the Dark Mechanicus or Chaos-aligned Hereteks.
Note: Understanding of secret signs of Warp Cults is represented by having access to the Black Speech translation sheet, which allows you to translate messages written in that script. You might be able to cobble together a basic sentence in this Dark tongue as well.
The Dark Mechanicus, Daemon Engines and their Creation
This specialism represents a fundamental understanding about the Dark Mechanicus — those former Priests of the Machine Cult who turned to Chaos during the Horus Heresy — as well as more recently fallen Chaos-aligned Hereteks, whether or not they claim heritage from the older group. It also covers the sinister binding of Daemons and warp energy into mechanical forms known as Daemon Engines. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the known Chaos-aligned cabals of Hereteks in the Prosperitas Sector, Daemon Engines and how they are created, Traitor Titans and Knights, and Scrapcode , the corrupted Warp-code that is used both to communicate between Hereteks and to infect Imperial machinery. Most importantly, a Tech-Priest could potentially use this knowledge to work out how to destroy such foul technology, and an Info-Executioner or Ordo Logi Tech-Priest might have a reasonable chance of penetrating a Heretek cogitator system, at considerable spiritual risk.
Hereticus
The Hereticus discipline represents a fundamental understanding of the internal and external threats facing the Imperium from human foes. This includes the cults and armies of the Archenemy, as well as Rebel and Separatist movements that seek to divide or change the Imperium from within. Hereticus Lore represents a life dedicated to the studying, hunting or otherwise interacting with divergent human groups and cultures.
Hereticus Specialisms
Heretical Cults of the Alien and the Warp
This represents a fundamental understanding of heretical religious beliefs that revere threats outside of the Imperium - their practices, their secret signs and tongues, their rituals, and their symbolism. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the Devourer (Genestealer) Cults of the Prosperitas Sector, the practices of the Warp-religion of the Aurelian Way, and the scattered knowledge on the practices of other known cults.
Note: Understanding of the secret signs of Warp cults is represented by having access to the Black Speech translation sheet, which allows you to translate messages written in that script. You might be able to cobble together a basic sentence in this Dark tongue as well.
The Rising Flame and other Rebel Groups
This represents an understanding of what is known about the Sector-wide anti-Imperial rebel movement known as the Rising Flame, as well as smaller and more localised rebel groups, such as the labour-agitators and hereteks of the Black Gauntlet. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the structure and tactics of the Rising Flame; Xenos allies known to fight alongside them; and sigils, symbology and similar knowledge for other groups.
Sects and Schisms of the Imperial Cult
This represents an understanding of the complex web of beliefs contained within the Imperial Cult — for example, knowledge about Imperial Death Cults, Sororitas Orders and Ministorum Sects — as well as those that stray over the line into heresy, such as the “Temple of the Saviour Emperor”. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the rites and rituals of these groups; forms of secret communication, known figures and beliefs; and the legality of their practices.
The Annwfyn, Ruwwad and other Divergent Cultures within the Imperium Prosperitas
While “Imperial” culture is often monolithic, frontier sectors are home to many groups who see themselves as culturally and ethnically distinct and identify as such. In the Prosperitas sector, these include but are not limited to: the Annwfyn and Ruwwad major ethnic groups and their various planetary subgroups; unique planetary cultures established by Imperial settlers and/or Mechanicus; their languages, customs and practices; and other factors.
The Hunting of the Witch and the Mutant
This represents the common specialism amongst the agents of the Ordo Hereticus in identifying, tracking and hunting those who demonstrate mutations, especially psykic talent. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the scientific and esoteric methods of detecting Warp mutants, psykers and divergent mutations from the sacred Terran form of humanity; the signs of the use of warp powers and the known gifts of the Dark Gods; and methods for the capture, killing and containment of such beings.
Xenos
The Xenos discipline represents a life spent studying, hunting and defending against the myriad alien life forms that threaten human life across the entire Prosperitas Sector, as well as a basic understanding of the provenance of strange relics left behind on certain worlds within the Sector.
Note: Previous versions of this Lore allowed characters to specialise in ‘a race’. Over the years we have been running DuD we’ve found that this has tied our hands in terms of ‘what written in the canon source material would my character know’ (generating a situation where players unfamiliar with, and without access to, source material feeling that they were not as widely-read as their characters should be). As such we have pivoted Xenos lore briefings to cover broader topic areas and kept the majority of canon lore out of player hands. This allows us to define our Xenos without needing to worry about contradicting established canon. Ordo Xenos agents in the Prosperitas Sector do not have an encyclopaedic knowledge of every alien in the universe — rather, they have a narrow focus on those Xenos threats in this one Sector.
Please Note: Knowledge of the following Xenos factions/beings is explicitly restricted to find out in play (FOIP), largely because the Imperium has not yet encountered them within the timeframe of this game:
- C’tan and Necrons
- Tyranids (Genestealers and Genestealer cults are known but the hive fleets have not yet been encountered, so what they herald is not yet fully understood)
- Tau (although Kroot have been encountered)
You may be aware of legends of minor Xenos species from elsewhere in the Imperium but unless a Xenos species is mentioned beneath, on the wiki, or in a Lore brief, you should not know details about it.
Xenos Specialisms
Human Agents of the Xenos and the Cold Trade
While the Ordo Hereticus' primary interest is in human threats to the Imperium, the Ordo Xenos often experiences crossover with them when investigating Xenos who interact with humanity without violence. These Xenos cause political, economic and spiritual corruption rather than presenting a direct threat to human life. This specialism also covers the Cold Trade — the smuggling of forbidden technologies of Xenos origin into Imperial space, where they might increase alien influence, or indeed might present a threat in the hands of those who do not know how the technologies work.
Xeno-Archaeology of the Prosperitas Sector
This represents knowledge and study of the wealth of historical alien ruins and artefacts left from ancient races who previously occupied this region of space. This covers the ruins of the Shavastii, Slann and Eldar cultures, as well as several unusual cyclopean structures built of black stone and coated in hieroglyphics. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: a basic, but not detailed, understanding of modern Eldar culture, and a limited understanding of the Fall; an awareness of the presence of the remnants of the Slann in the Prosperitas Sector; an understanding of the aggressive Shavastii who hate the Imperium; and knowledge of ancient ruins and alien artefacts in general, including those of unidentified origin. It does not include any understanding of pre-Fall Eldar existence or culture.
Note: Understanding of Eldar runes is represented by having access to the Eldar Translation Sheet which allows you to translate messages written in that script. You might be able to cobble together a basic sentence in the Eldar tongue as well. There are no known ciphers for Slann hieroglyphics or for other ancient texts, such as the Shavastii writing system.
Current Xenos Threats
This represents knowledge and study of the alien threats to the Prosperitas Sector that the Ordo Xenos have currently identified. This covers the threat of the Shavastii as well as the exiled Dark Eldar Haemonculi Coven that runs the Circle of Thorns criminal empire, as well as the sinister spread of the Devourer Cults and their Xenos Worm-Gods. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: an understanding of all the Xenos threats to the Sector, rumours about other active threats in the wider Imperium, and some cultural background based on what little the Inquisition has been able to learn about these entities.
Xenotechnology
This represents knowledge and study of the technology of the Xenos races common to the Prosperitas Sector. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the maintenance of Xenotech, its operation, and at least a basic understanding of its capabilities. Most importantly, a Tech-Priest could potentially use this knowledge to work out how to replicate, or at least repair, this technology, and an Info-Executioner or Ordo Logi Tech-Priest might have a reasonable chance of penetrating a Xenos cogitator system.
Xenobiology
This represents a degree of xenobiological training from the standpoint of medical sciences, the study of xenoflora and xenofauna as well as other sentient races (other than humans and abhumans). This specialism includes, but is not limited to: understanding physical strengths and weaknesses, knowledge about the biological processes of other species, and, perhaps most importantly, that with the skills of a Medicae or Chirurgeon, you could understand enough of what you're looking at to perform life-saving treatment or meaningfully dissect a Xenos.
Biologis
This Lore represents medical training, allowing one to identify common ailments and injuries. It has forensic value in identifying causes of death where they may not be immediately obvious, and represents the ability to carry out research into medical issues or perform medical actions not immediately pertinent to healing mechanics, such as the dissection of corpses, study of diseases, and operation of medical technology.
A character with this Lore can identify the basic signs of diseases and infections common in the Prosperitas Sector, as well as the signs of genetic corruption in the human body.
Biologis Specialisms
Human, Abhuman and Mutant Biology
This represents a familiarity with human genetics and physiology, as well as the evolutionary offshoots of humanity and an understanding as to how they differ physiologically. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: spotting signs of genetic deviation in physiology and medical tests, and testing for genetic stability. A Chirurgeon with this specialism would feel comfortably able to gene-edit life within an artificial vitro-womb.
Xenobiology
This represents a degree of xenobiological training from the standpoint of medical sciences, vis-a-vis the study of xenoflora and xenofauna as well as other sentient Xenos races. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: understanding physical strengths and weaknesses of Xenos life, knowledge about the biological processes of other species, and perhaps most importantly, that with the skills of a Medicae or Chirurgeon, you could understand enough of what you're looking at to perform life-saving treatment or meaningfully dissect a Xenos.
Diseases and Biological Weapons
This represents an understanding of many of the common diseases and ailments in the Prosperitas Sector, as well as the effects of biological weapons used by the Imperium and its foes. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: recognising the signs of certain ailments and weapons, knowing the correct procedures to take to protect yourself from them, and, if you are a confident Chirurgeon, you could reasonably provide life-saving treatment on someone affected by such an disease or weapon.
Bionics, Implants and Implantation
This represents a knowledge and study of bionic systems, their maintenance, and known patterns of bionics from across the Prosperitas Sector. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: understanding the function of bionic implants while performing an autopsy, identifying the pattern of the implant and its manufacturer, and identifying faulty or low-grade knockoff implants. A Chirurgeon with this specialism would feel able to handle the installation of a pre-constructed bionic; a Tech-Priest with this specialism would feel reasonably confident they could construct a bionic.
Mechanicus
Mechanicus Lore is not the operation of machinery; all characters are assumed to be familiar with the operation of technology associated with their current or previous role in the Imperium prior to becoming an agent of the powers they answer to. A Princeps does not forget how to command a Titan simply because they are severed from it. Mechanicus Lore is an intimate familiarity with the workings of machines, the science that makes them function, and their repair and manufacture.
Mechanicus Specialisms
Heretek of the Dark Mechanicus
This specialism represents a fundamental understanding about the Dark Mechanicus — those former Priests of the Machine Cult who turned to Chaos during the Horus Heresy — as well as more recently fallen Chaos-aligned Hereteks, whether or not they claim heritage from the older group. It also covers the sinister binding of Daemons and warp energy into mechanical forms known as Daemon Engines. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the known Chaos-aligned cabals of Hereteks in the Prosperitas Sector, Daemon Engines and how they are created, Traitor Titans and Knights, and Scrapcode , the corrupted Warp-code that is used both to communicate between Hereteks and to infect Imperial machinery. Most importantly, a Tech-Priest could potentially use this knowledge to work out how to destroy such foul technology, and an Info-Executioner or Ordo Logi Tech-Priest might have a reasonable chance of penetrating a Heretek cogitator system, at considerable spiritual risk.
Archaeotech
This represents the study of the technology of the Golden Age of Humanity, now referred to as the Dark Age of Technology, and the ability to understand — or at least work out — the function of those devices discovered by individuals travelling through the Prosperitas Sector. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the maintenance of Archaeotech, its operation, and at least a basic understanding of its capabilities. Most importantly a Tech-Priest could potentially use this knowledge to work out how to replicate, or at least repair, this technology, and an Info-Executioner or Ordo Logi Tech-Priest might have a reasonable chance of penetrating an Archaeotech cogitator system.
Xenotechnology
This represents knowledge and study of the technology of the Xenos races common to the Prosperitas Sector. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the maintenance of Xenotech, its operation, and at least a basic understanding of its capabilities. Most importantly a Tech-Priest could potentially use this knowledge to work out how to replicate, or at least repair, this technology, and an Info-Executioner or Ordo Logi Tech-Priest might have a reasonable chance of penetrating a Xenos cogitator system.
Martian Technology
This represents knowledge and study of the more esoteric technology of the Imperium. Martian technology is not the everyday technology that most Imperial citizens interface with on a daily basis, but covers the rare, more dangerous and more complex technologies, the knowledge of which is a closely guarded secret of the Mechanicus. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: the maintenance of Martian tech, its operation, and at least a basic understanding of its capabilities. Most importantly, a Tech- Priest could potentially use this knowledge to work out how to replicate, or at least repair, this technology, and an Info-Executioner or Ordo Logi Tech-Priest might have a reasonable chance of penetrating an advanced Imperial cogitator system.
Bionics, Implants and Implantation
This represents a knowledge and study of bionic systems, their maintenance, and known patterns of bionics from across the Prosperitas Sector. This specialism includes, but is not limited to: understanding the function of bionic implants while performing an autopsy, identifying the pattern of the implant and its manufacturer, and identifying faulty or low-grade knockoff implants. A Chirurgeon with this specialism would feel able to handle the installation of a pre-constructed bionic; a Tech-Priest with this specialism would feel reasonably confident they could construct a bionic.
Arbites
Arbites Lore represents the law-enforcement skillset and training of the Adeptus Arbites. While an individual with this lore may have never served in the Adeptus itself, they likely will have had training that has evolved out of years of Arbites refinement of the skill areas that they are required to follow. The Arbites, after all, predates the Inquisition when it comes to the arts of interrogation and excruciation to gain information from a suspect.
With Arbites Lore you are trained to investigate crime scenes and look for clues, as well as being aware of common laws across the Imperium.
Arbites Specialisms
The Lex Imperialis
This specialism represents expanded knowledge of the Lex Imperialis (Book of Law). This trait can be used to find all sorts of laws to bring an individual or group to justice, to defend an individual or group from Imperial justice or for other varied purposes.
Planetary Laws
You are familiar with the many different Planetary Laws of the Prosperitas Sector. You have an understanding of local bylaws, tithe laws, and the various different ways in which law is enforced across the Sector. While all true authority devolves from the Lex, many planets are given free rein to enforce authority locally in their own ways; you have studied many of these.
Inheritance, Customs and Tax Law
You are familiar with the various economic and political crimes which plague the Sector. You have a developed understanding of which substances are illegal where, which Scion-Heir should inherit the planetary Governorship, and on what legal basis the local Cardinal is attempting to dodge their Tithe obligations.
Criminals and Criminal Organisations
This specialism represents expanded knowledge of the criminals and criminal organisations active within the Prosperitas Sector, allowing one to recognise markings of interplanetary organisations, as well as giving knowledge of their methods, tools, and culture.
Note: Understanding of the hidden signs that criminals use to communicate is represented by access to the Shade-script Translation Sheet which allows you to translate messages written in that script. This is a sign language, not a spoken language, but your character may know the correct hand-signs.
Militias and Paramilitary Organisations
This specialism represents detailed knowledge of the various House militias, Guards, PDFs, bodyguards, Frateris Templar detachments, and mercenary forces at large across the Sector. You have a good knowledge of which are officially sanctioned, which are delicately ignored, and which are outright illegal. You also have a good working knowledge of the legal basis for levying and raising such forces to assist the Arbites in times of civil unrest.