Necromunda (Rules) Enforcers
Necromunda (Rules) Enforcers
Necromunda (Rules) Enforcers
By Jervis Johnson
In the underhive of Necromunda there is one force whose word is law. They are the
Necromunda Enforcers, and it is their unenviable task to impose the rule of Lord Halmawr
on the citizens and outlaws that inhabit the lower reaches of Hive Primus. The Enforcers
are hated and feared by the bulk of inhabitants of the underhiv, They are hated for being
implacable and authoritarian imposers of Lord Halmawrs often unfair legislation, and
feared for the ruthless efficiency with which they impose the laws of the underhive.
Necromunda Enforcers are modelled closely on the Adeptus Arbites. The Judges and
Arbitrators of this huge organisation serve primarily to remind Imperial servants of their
duties and loyalties, and to enforce the Imperial Decrees passed by the High Lords of
Terra. The Imperium is incredibly vast, unimaginably so. It stretches to the edges of the
known galaxy, its worlds thinly spread across the stars. On many of these planets, the
Emperor and the Imperium he represents are but dimly remembered myths. All too often
an Imperial Commander can forget the power he serves, either through incompetence or
malice. This is why the Adeptus Arbites was formed. If a Governor ever considers
skipping his tithes for a year, or perhaps ignoring the request for troops from an
embattled neighbour, one glance towards the armoured courthouse of the Arbites should
be enough to make him reconsider.
The bulk of the Adeptus is made up of the Arbitrators. They are well armed and
armoured, as they are often the first line of defence on a traitorous world, operating in the
depths of hive cities, the shanties of mining worlds and other savage environs. If
planetary control is ever lost, the Arbitrators and Judges of the Arbites are empowered to
take over and rule the world in the Emperor's name until a suitable Imperial Commander
can be found. Where civil unrest and crime threaten the stability of a world or the power
of its ruler, the Arbitrators may be released to restore law and order.
However, while the Adeptus Arbites are responsible for ensuring that Imperial Decrees
are obeyed across the galaxy, the role of everyday control and policing usually falls to
local security forces, working under the orders of the Imperial Commander and his staff.
Such is the case on Necromunda, where the bulk of policing is carried out by
Necromunda Enforcers, leaving the Arbites free to concentrate on more serious matters,
usually amongst the inhabitants of the upper hive levels. It is very rare for Arbitrators to
be seen in the underhive, and when they are, they are often mistaken for Enforcers
anyway.
Every hive on Necromunda is divided into precincts, each with its own fortified
courthouse and a substantial number of Enforcers. In addition there are thousands of
small Precinct Houses scatted through the hive, each of which is manned by a ten-man
Enforcer Precinct Squad. Necromunda is a vital planet to the Imperium, but population
pressures mean that it is in constant danger of devolving into anarchy and civil war. The
Enforcers maintain a constant vigilance from their Courthouses and Precinct Houses,
constantly on the watch for signs of disloyalty, subversion, or criminality. They are grim
and uncompromising reminders of Lord Helmawr’s authority. They cannot be bought off,
threatened, corrupted or negotiated with. Indeed, the Enforcers in Hive Primus are
recruited into their ranks from other hives on Necromunda, thus ensuring that they do not
have any loyalties to local citizens. They do not communicate with the citizenry unless
absolutely necessary and only leave their precinct courts on official business.
Individual Enforcers, particularly grizzled veterans which have been hardened by years of
dispensing justice, act as law enforcers within some settlements in the Underhive. These
are tough, no nonsense characters who command the local Watchmen and direct
freelance bounty hunters in the constant battle against outlaws and Outlanders. They
also monitor local loyalties and the activities of the Merchant guild to ensure that the
Imperial codes of law are maintained even on the frontiers of anarchy.
Other than individual Enforcers, the most commonly encountered Enforcer tactical units
are the Enforcer Patrol squads. Patrol squads are the standard law enforcement teams
on Necromunda, that can be seen patrolling hive levels around Imperial establishments
and important areas of the Underhive. They are also called in to quell serious
disturbances, such as mob riots, or to suppress unruly gangs and poorly equipped
Deviant Scum.
The equipment worn by Necromunda Enforcers is based upon imitations of the
equipment used by the Arbites, and is very similar in appearance. They generally wear
carapace breastplates, with padded flak armour or additional vambraces and plating. This
can be highly ornate on ranking officers, often gilded and inscribed with oaths of justice
and Imperial commands.
The combat shotgun used by the Enforcers is as much a badge of office as a weapon,
and the homing Executioner ammunition they sometimes use is feared through-out the
Underhive. Although most Enforcers won't hesitate to kill, they often carry weapons to
subdue foes wanted for interrogation or trial, of which the power maul is most common.
They also make used of cyber-mastiffs for hunting down their prey and to catch fugitives
who attempt to escape.
"Hive cities are little more than unlit bonfires. They need only the sparks of lawlessness to
burn.
Enforcer High Marshall Traggit.
Selected Sayings. Vol 11, Chapter IX
ENFORCER EXPERIENCE
The table below shows the starting experience for members of Patrol teams and the skills
available to them. Enforcers use the standard advancement table in the Necromunda
Sourcebook.
Type of Fighter Initial Experience Points
Sergeant 60+1D6
Enforcer 20+ID6
Handler 20+1D6
Cyber-mastiff 25*
*Cyber-mastiffs do not gain experience, but we have included a value to help work out
the ‘gang rating’ of a Patrol Team that includes one.