Mission 0 - Dark Pursuits
++Inquisition Documentum – Archive OR-76335-1022++
++ Log-Entry 891-012++
++Segmentum Obscurus - Sector Askellon - Subsector Cyclopia++
++Theodore Laskaris++
++Rank: Inquisitor++
+++++++++++++++++++
++Begin Entry++
Infuriating but expected. The privileged and powerful, the very ones who have benifited the most from the God-Emperor’s guidance and sacrifice, seem to have no trouble persuading themselves that they are above the laws of mankind set down in his name. They quickly forget that their continued existence is owed to the God-Emperor on Terra and need frequent reminder of their duty to the Imperium. The lords of Desoleum are overdue. God-Emperor forbid we neglect them.
Evidence has been brought to my attention that a ring of petty lords and senior adepts in the Apex levels of Desoleum Prime have begun patronizing the illicit import of artifacts claiming probable xenos origin. Of the items’ nature, purpose, or value…I doubt the owners know or care. I have seen these sort of activities develop from the whims of those with too much wealth and too little responsibility, and it springs from sources diversional more than heretical. However, there is no excuse for endangering the integrity of the Imperium. While the Ecclesiarchy teaches that ignorance can save the common man, this form endangers us all. My hopes are, if a clear and powerful example is set in the punishment of these individuals, it will serve as a suitable reminder to all of their peers on Desoleum. For a time, at least.
My novice Interrogator has infiltrated this clique, profiled one of its more audacious members, a Lord Lans Guljian, and I await his judgement on how best to proceed with this inquiry as I am en route to the Desoleum system. His latest report contained many descriptions of the exotic items passing through the hands of Apex nobility, and he aspired to identify the merchants bringing them into the hive. He also made note that Lans Guljian had been in contact with many low-profile, but interesting, individuals from across the sector, offering unspecified opportunities or employment. He may be attempting to find new or unique sources with which to supplement his hobby or planning on replacing his current dealer altogether. Interrogator Criid’s next report is twenty hours overdue, and while the astropath assures me this falls well within the standard deviation for sub-sector communique relay times, I cannot help feeling suspicious.
++End Entry++
++ Log-Entry 891-012++
++Segmentum Obscurus - Sector Askellon - Subsector Cyclopia++
++Theodore Laskaris++
++Rank: Inquisitor++
+++++++++++++++++++
++Begin Entry++
Infuriating but expected. The privileged and powerful, the very ones who have benifited the most from the God-Emperor’s guidance and sacrifice, seem to have no trouble persuading themselves that they are above the laws of mankind set down in his name. They quickly forget that their continued existence is owed to the God-Emperor on Terra and need frequent reminder of their duty to the Imperium. The lords of Desoleum are overdue. God-Emperor forbid we neglect them.
Evidence has been brought to my attention that a ring of petty lords and senior adepts in the Apex levels of Desoleum Prime have begun patronizing the illicit import of artifacts claiming probable xenos origin. Of the items’ nature, purpose, or value…I doubt the owners know or care. I have seen these sort of activities develop from the whims of those with too much wealth and too little responsibility, and it springs from sources diversional more than heretical. However, there is no excuse for endangering the integrity of the Imperium. While the Ecclesiarchy teaches that ignorance can save the common man, this form endangers us all. My hopes are, if a clear and powerful example is set in the punishment of these individuals, it will serve as a suitable reminder to all of their peers on Desoleum. For a time, at least.
My novice Interrogator has infiltrated this clique, profiled one of its more audacious members, a Lord Lans Guljian, and I await his judgement on how best to proceed with this inquiry as I am en route to the Desoleum system. His latest report contained many descriptions of the exotic items passing through the hands of Apex nobility, and he aspired to identify the merchants bringing them into the hive. He also made note that Lans Guljian had been in contact with many low-profile, but interesting, individuals from across the sector, offering unspecified opportunities or employment. He may be attempting to find new or unique sources with which to supplement his hobby or planning on replacing his current dealer altogether. Interrogator Criid’s next report is twenty hours overdue, and while the astropath assures me this falls well within the standard deviation for sub-sector communique relay times, I cannot help feeling suspicious.
++End Entry++
++ Log-Entry 891-013++
++Segmuntum Obscurus - Sector Askellon - Subsector Cyclopia++
++Theodore Laskaris++
++Rank: Inquisitor++
+++++++++++++++++++
++Begin Entry++
The Hesychast, Gora, is determined that the implicated nobles of Desoleum Prime will burn, and her request is entirely justified. I think the evidence of some level of participation by her ecclesiastical brethren fuels her desire to see this activity exposed and excised, but I have convinced her that discovering the source of this trade would better serve the God-Emperor. As Interrogator Criid has uncovered, the reach of these importers is far more terrifying than I had imagined.
I have commended Criid for his tenacity and resourcefulness. I am certain he is already fully aware of, and has paid for, the mistakes he made during his investigation that led to his capture and subsequent abuse. Having survived his errors, he will learn from them, and his dedication appears unwavering. Undoubtedly, his ability to act autonomously prevented a catastrophe.
I am still struggling to define the entity that was destroyed beneath Voidport Gyre. The remains of the device that was apparently able to contain or summon the creature is unlike anything I have studied. It is almost certainly of xenos origin and has an energy signature that resonates through the warp spectrum like tethers, or a net. Theoretically, the item could trap a warp entity and hold it within our realm. Therefore, I believe the entity was similar in effect to a Lymerian Spirit-Vessel or a Quixotic Daemonhost, though the means of its operation is a mystery.
Criid reports that the creature was destroyed or banished by a group of off-worlders from among those he met at the Guljian estate. These five individuals, allegedly unknown to each other before meeting in Lord Guljian's company, also secured Criid's release from the torture of the heretical trader, Zax Holthane. While I wish I could believe the God-Emperor sent this assistance, I am unsure of the motivation behind their actions. Disobeying the protocol of the Inquisition, Criid has taken the initiative to offer these extraordinary individuals my sponsorship as potential agents of the Throne. After reviewing Criid's reports and what background information Jeran could provide, I am hopeful that these individuals will prove of some use in our efforts.
For now, Desoleum Prime and its fatally misguided elite will be monitored for further activity that will eventually lead us to other dealers like Zax Holthane and then to their suppliers. A quick audit of the Officio Auctoriate Porteus has revealed that Holthane was far from the only illicit importer in the hive. The senior Prefect, Gaius Anteshern, was horribly corrupt and allowing anyone to mask the contents and origins of their shipments for the right fee. The Prefect disappeared before this information was revealed, unfortunately, and has not been seen since. It is a pity that I have neither Prefect Anteshern or Zax Holthane to question for further details. However, the off-worlders were able to have the transport that brought the warp creature to Desoleum apprehended by the Arbites precinct at the voidport. The flight history and crew of this craft could be valuable in finding at least one of the major players in this deadly game.
++End Entry++
++Segmuntum Obscurus - Sector Askellon - Subsector Cyclopia++
++Theodore Laskaris++
++Rank: Inquisitor++
+++++++++++++++++++
++Begin Entry++
The Hesychast, Gora, is determined that the implicated nobles of Desoleum Prime will burn, and her request is entirely justified. I think the evidence of some level of participation by her ecclesiastical brethren fuels her desire to see this activity exposed and excised, but I have convinced her that discovering the source of this trade would better serve the God-Emperor. As Interrogator Criid has uncovered, the reach of these importers is far more terrifying than I had imagined.
I have commended Criid for his tenacity and resourcefulness. I am certain he is already fully aware of, and has paid for, the mistakes he made during his investigation that led to his capture and subsequent abuse. Having survived his errors, he will learn from them, and his dedication appears unwavering. Undoubtedly, his ability to act autonomously prevented a catastrophe.
I am still struggling to define the entity that was destroyed beneath Voidport Gyre. The remains of the device that was apparently able to contain or summon the creature is unlike anything I have studied. It is almost certainly of xenos origin and has an energy signature that resonates through the warp spectrum like tethers, or a net. Theoretically, the item could trap a warp entity and hold it within our realm. Therefore, I believe the entity was similar in effect to a Lymerian Spirit-Vessel or a Quixotic Daemonhost, though the means of its operation is a mystery.
Criid reports that the creature was destroyed or banished by a group of off-worlders from among those he met at the Guljian estate. These five individuals, allegedly unknown to each other before meeting in Lord Guljian's company, also secured Criid's release from the torture of the heretical trader, Zax Holthane. While I wish I could believe the God-Emperor sent this assistance, I am unsure of the motivation behind their actions. Disobeying the protocol of the Inquisition, Criid has taken the initiative to offer these extraordinary individuals my sponsorship as potential agents of the Throne. After reviewing Criid's reports and what background information Jeran could provide, I am hopeful that these individuals will prove of some use in our efforts.
For now, Desoleum Prime and its fatally misguided elite will be monitored for further activity that will eventually lead us to other dealers like Zax Holthane and then to their suppliers. A quick audit of the Officio Auctoriate Porteus has revealed that Holthane was far from the only illicit importer in the hive. The senior Prefect, Gaius Anteshern, was horribly corrupt and allowing anyone to mask the contents and origins of their shipments for the right fee. The Prefect disappeared before this information was revealed, unfortunately, and has not been seen since. It is a pity that I have neither Prefect Anteshern or Zax Holthane to question for further details. However, the off-worlders were able to have the transport that brought the warp creature to Desoleum apprehended by the Arbites precinct at the voidport. The flight history and crew of this craft could be valuable in finding at least one of the major players in this deadly game.
++End Entry++
