DARK MAGENTA ISSUE #1 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY SUMMER/AUTUMN 2007 In the Beginning, All was Pure INQUISITORIAL DOCUMENT UNAUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION IS TREASON CLASSIFICATION: Report from Inquisitor Benedict Saussure Additions to the Book of Indoctrinations Details of battles upon the soil of the Throneworld itself! Anatomy of a mutant After-action report from clash at Agripinaa Intercepted communications to Lord Saussure Page The Grand Inquisitor Speaks 3 Editor-in-Chief, Derek Gillespie, opens the first issue of Dark Ma- genta with some well chosen thoughts. Beginnings 5 A dramatic introduction to our first battle report. It’s All in the Mind 10 Ruaridh Dall gives us a treatise upon the effective use of mental characteristics. Kaled’s Modelling Showcase 17 Dave Knowles gives us a brief tour of his collection. In the Beginning 23 Phil Weston shares some wise words on how to get started in the Inquisitor hobby. In the Shadow of the Throne 28 In our first Feature Article, veteran Robey Jenkins introduces us to the holy of holies. I Am Not A Monster 43 A controversial conversion, as Robey shows you how to build your very own mutant enforcer! Modelling Masterclass 48 Having shown us his collection, Dave Knowles shares his secrets as he builds a brand new conversion. Instigation & Insurrection 57 Derek Gillespie, Jeremy Lowe and Ruaridh Dall duke it out on Agripinaa, in the first of a linked series of battle reports. Communiqués 74 Via the astropathic duct come your questions and queries. The Last Word: Gathering Dust 76 In the first of a series of columns, Robey “Precinct Omega” Jenkins tries to understand why some people don’t play Inquisitor. Be- yond, “Because they’re heretics!” Record of Heresies 80 Biographies of all the contributors to this issue of Dark Magenta. The Grand Inquisitor speaks... Welcome, one and all, to the first issue of Dark Ma- fering this issue, as he gives us his take on the power of genta, the new web-based magazine supporting Games the mind and how you can apply such things to your Workshop’s Inquisitor narrative battle game! games, while Robey also contributes more than once – observe him start down the road towards converting, Ever since Inquisitor was released upon the gaming painting and generating a brand new character, which public, it has had a loyal fan-base, eagerly anticipating will develop over the next few issues. Phil Weston re- each and every release from the Specialist Games studio. ports on his experiences getting players started on cam- However, while Fanatic Online supports the game with paigning and playing Inquisitor, while Dave Knowles new rules every few months, we felt that there was more awes one and all with his painting and modelling in two to be done to keep Inquisitor healthy and thriving. Giv- related pieces – a showcase of his work, and a Master- en that players of Inquisitor are positively encouraged to class article on his female Inquisitorial stormtrooper. create their own rules, typically have a deep-seated love of the Warhammer 40,000 mythos, and are in plenti- Since we finally decided to set forth on the little adven- ful supply across various internet discussion forums, it ture that bringing this first issue to you has been, there’s seemed (hopefully!) obvious that there would be both a been a steep learning curve for all of us on the staff, who receptive audience and a wide pool of writers for an in- are trying to hold down jobs and studies while making dependent, fan-based publication that would augment Dark Magenta as high a quality as possible. It would the output of the Fanatic Studio. The first results of this be remiss of me to end without thanking all of the staff endeavour are before you now! and contributors to this issue for their enthusiasm and patience as we learn the ropes – it’s been hectic at times, As many of you may know, this is not the first version but it’s been fun so far! of Issue 1! We released the content presented here a few months ago in a stripped-down format. This was forced If you like what you see and have any comments or sug- upon us thanks to a combination of technical difficulties gestions, please feel free to get in touch with us at edi- and time commitments from our (volunteer) staff, but [email protected] – the most stimulating letters will we’re delighted to report that the “sparse” presentation most likely find their way to the Communiqués page, of that issue didn’t detract from some very kind com- though we will try to respond to every letter and e-mail. ments and feedback regarding the quality and content Even better, if you feel you’d like to submit an article, of the articles we presented. Now, all of these articles are then you can have a look at the submission guidelines presented to you again, in their full glory. We’re keen to on the website (www.darkmagenta.net) and then send hear what you think of the “proper” issue 1 – do you your article to [email protected] – you’ll prefer it to the stripped-down version, or did you pre- find our editorial staff keen to hear from you, and will- fer the less designed look in the first place? Sends your ing to help make your article as good as possible. We’re comments to the Editor at the address below. relying on your support to keep Dark Magenta going in the future, so don’t be afraid to give us your ideas. So, what do we have for you in this first issue? Well, we have rules, background and campaign ideas to let I hope the first issue keeps everyone entertained! Do you take your games right to the heart of the Imperium check back onto www.darkmagenta.net very soon to see itself, as Robey Jenkins allows you to set foot upon the Issue 2 of Dark Magenta, which is even now coming hallowed ground of Holy Terra. You also have an op- together, and should be with you within a few months! portunity to see two rival Inquisitors and their entou- rages inadvertently cross paths during the aftermath of Cheers, the 13th Black Crusade, as the first in what we hope to be a series of linked short stories and battle reports gets underway, between Ruaridh Dall’s Inquisitor Tomashek Derek Goddard and some old lay-about controlled by a lazy web magazine editor. Ruaridh, in fact, has a double of- Derek Gillespie, Editor-in-Chief. 3 Dark Magenta Editor-in-Chief Derek Gillespie Editors Robert Grayston (Background and Rules) Robey Jenkins (Features) Douglas Johnson (Battle Reports, Scenarios and Campaigns) Joshua Prince (Modelling, Painting and Ter- rain) Sub-Editors Eoin Ravensdale Rob Skene Greg Lewis Simon Philips Technical Support, Layout and Design Isak Ström Jack Davies 4 Beginnings... By Derek Gillespie and Ruaridh Dall The deck-plating vibrated - a soft, metallic murmur felt were so inconsiderate as to invade. Lord Enchivar Ryan through the soles of his feet that betrayed the presence of had waved away his enquiries – he clearly believed that motion in the otherwise deceptively-still lander. He looked production would be back to normal without any special out through the inch-thick armaglass slit. The endless effort on his part, that arms and armour would roll out, black of space, pinpricked with points of brilliant light, the people would be fed and the tithes would be collected. drifted across his view. Each star burned with a relentless The Lords Ryan had ruled Agripinaa for over a millen- intensity, no hint of flickering to detract from their impact. nium and all would return to the way it had always been. If he leant his forehead against the cool of the glass and After all, life was already back to normal in the Imperial looked down, the gently-curving, grey and blue horizon of household. the planet would come into view. At the moment, its pres- ence was revealed by nothing more than a vague seeping of He’d left, unimpressed, and nothing he’d heard over the light from the bottom of the window – more than reminder following days had lightened his mood. Enchivar seemed enough, considering the last few days. Were he to crane his to be of the opinion that attempting to shower him in luxu- neck upwards, the stars would be joined by the twinkling ries and courtly courtesies would convince him of the main- lights of space docks and the regular pulsing lights of the tenance of the status quo – he was somewhat wide of the guide buoys, sending out their warnings to guide ships to mark. berth at high anchor. For the moment, however, he was in between the two extremes. The small cabin was illuminat- He let his breath out in a quick exhalation realising, to his ed only by running lights - a faint crimson glow that barely irritation, that he’d been holding it in. His arm had a reached the plasteel walls - and the void outside remained twinge too, which was usually a sign of annoyance. He gave dark. Settling back into the cracked leather of the seat, his bicep a gentle massage with his other hand. The feel of with a restraint harness loosely fastened across his chest, he the delicate intertwining of augmetic circuitry beneath the was left to ponder his thoughts in the gloom. How apt. skin was obvious to the touch even if it was invisible to the eye.