"What have we here? Let me take a closer look. Hmm... Interesting. Very interesting."
- —A Verenean Investigator[2a]
A Verenean Investigator in battle against the forces of Chaos, supported by a witch hunter.
A Verenean Investigator is an agent of the Cult of Verena, the goddess of knowledge, justice and law, who looks into matters the cult would rather not come to the regular, secular authorities, such as the roadwardens or the witch hunters. They are adept at quiet investigation, looking for clues and observing the scene, rather than extracting possibly unreliable information through torture. Though they usually turn their results over to the cult for further action, they are also ready to take matters into their own hands, if need be.[1a]
Investigators often come from within the cult itself, although the Verenean hierarchy does not scruple at hiring talented people with questionable pasts, so long as they repent their ways and swear loyalty to Verena. Verenean Investigators have a wide range of knowledge, and often astound others with their ability to bring obscure information together to throw light on a case.[1a]
Role[]
The security forces of the Old World provide an emergency service -- the watch are usually called to deal with immediate incidents of violence, arson, or burglary. However, if the perpetrators aren't still on the scene, and there are no witnesses or obvious leads, the watch are unlikely to pursue the matter. Only the very largest watch forces, such as the Altdorf Watch, employ specialised detectives.[2a]
The Cult of Verena is aware of this shortcoming. They train a group of investigators and dispatch them to look into unsolved crimes or intractable disputes. This could be something as lurid as a murderer at large, or a heist of jewellery. The investigators might look into rumours of a large scale fraud, or seek a resolution to a lasting feud between two noble families.[2a]
Investigators search for evidence, talk to witnesses and suspects, and even put together criminal profiles. They tend to work surreptitiously, though, being members of the Verenean cult they will be loathe to lie should they be quizzed about their activities. This is not due to wilful secrecy as much as it is to the investigator knowing that they are more likely to find what they need if they aren't burdened with help from some ham-fisted watchman or witch hunter.[2a]
Once the investigator has amassed all the evidence they can, they will make a comprehensive report to their superiors, who will then decide how to take the case further. Their task complete, the investigator soon moves on to their next case.[2a]
Affiliations[]
A male Verenean Investigator.[1a]
The Verenean Investigators are, of course, well respected members of the Cult of Verena, and have the ears of her priests and other devotees.[2a]
Their relationship to the forces of law and order is mixed. On one hand, the investigators might find leads in cases that leave the local watch flummoxed, and so provide a great service. On the other, many watchmen are jealous of the skill and reputation of Verenean Investigators, or worried they might blow the whistle on bribe-taking or some other form of corruption the watch is indulging in.[2a]
Members of the Cult of Ranald and other criminals loathe Verenean Investigators, as they are often more perceptive and less receptive to bribery than the watch. If a Verenean investigator is in the same town as a prominent crime lord, the investigator may well find themselves a target, even if they aren't currently looking into the crime lord's activities.[2a]
A Verenean Investigator may clash with the authorities in the Empire over some coverup they are keen to keep secret, such as the existence of the Skaven or the fact that the heir of an important noble lord is actually a mutant. This might prove a very tricky situation, as the Cult of Verena is dedicated to truth and justice, but does not want to spark off a diplomatic incident.[2a]
Verenean Investigators' persistence and professionalism often outstrip that of the watch, and criminals might have to go back to destroy evidence and buy the silence of witnesses if they want to escape justice.[2a]
Verenean and Sigmarite Disputes[]
The Cults of Sigmar and Verena differ most strongly over the correct attitude to take towards people who question the assertions of authority. Vereneans regard this as a religious duty, something essential to the flourishing of civilisation. Sigmarites regard it instead as the first sign of the blackest heresy, to be punished severely, possibly by burning at the stake. The two cults also disagree over the value of studying books on the Ruinous Powers, the balance to be struck between punishing the guilty and sparing the innocent, and the kinds of evidence that should be acceptable in a trial.[3a]
It is not the occasional theological and political tensions between the cults that are surprising, but the fact that, most of the time, they get along fairly well. This is largely because they agree on the proper treatment for actual worshippers of the Dark Gods, and Verenean Investigators are at least as good at ferreting them out as Sigmarite witch hunters are. Still, more than a few witch hunters decide that Verenean temples are hives of heresy.[3a]
Wargear[]
Verenean Investigators are usually equipped with a vast array of instruments, such as lock picks, a magnifying glass, manacles, a pair of Homing Pigeons and cages.[2a]
Notable Verenean Investigators[]
- Elena Dreher - Elena Dreher is a Verenean Investigator who is investigating the Purple Hand Chaos Cult and its connection with the Turmoil of 2512 IC.[4a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Sigmar's Heirs (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 124
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Career Compendium (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 218
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 116
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Salzenmund - City of Salt and Silver (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 116