Graver said:

True, but we don't know if those are tech-priests persay... at least I don't.

Hmmm Maybe you could have a ship manned by some of the remnants of a certain short, stocky, bearded group of abhumans.  They were pretty savvy with tech.

Psion said:

Tech-Priests as in the career found in DH and fallowing their advancement scheme? Not likely. Tech-Priests as in members of the Adaptus Mechanicus? Highly likely. After all, they are the only guys who know how most anything on a ship was built and, while they train others to maintain such machines, they are more then likely the only guys who would know how to do any major repairing or replacement of such a device should it become damaged or know where, how, and what parts to get to replace those that have been damaged. That's the kind of knowledge I don't think they would spread around to laymen much and insures that they maintain their power base. That's the kind of know-how a Rogue Trader would want on his ship should the worst happen and his warp engines become damaged several hundred lightyears out in the dark beyond His light.

Graver said:

All very good points, even though a Rogue Trader and his retinue are apparently somewhat "flexible" in picking up knowledges that are somewhat monopolized (at least as far as Nathin is concerned in the demo,) there is only so much they can learn.  Still, as someone else pointed out else where, the Ad Mech representives most often encountered in that setting still don't really seem to have much reason to hang around a Rogue Trader much less take orders from one.

It remains to be seen.

Rogue Traders are more or less resepected members of the Imperial Society, and their ships are full of ancient technology.

I think this is more than enough reason for a Tech Priest to accompany a Rogue Trader, or not?

I'm curious about how the "special bonus" traits will be (like the  +10% to a Shooting Roll for the Arch Militant) and how they will develop in the higher levels.

More special traits? Or will the given bonuses rise?

They might not even exist (traits), but be a group of talents mixed together for simplicity and space in this into (demo).  Of course they might.

The special abilities looked like they were not just abbreviated Talents. The Rogue Trader's Special Ability doesn't look like any Talent that existed in Dark Heresy, or any Homeworld Trait either. The Arch-Milirtant one did have a bit which was similar to a Talent, but the rest looked totally different, so again, not one, and the Seneshal one looks totally new in style. I think Special Abilities are something totally new for Rogue Trader. You probably get one ( or get to choose one from a small selection) depending on your class, and it is just meant to further represent the difference in level between a starting DH character and a RT character, without just vastly increasing stats and the number and level of skills (They don't have that many more skills than many DH characters, and only there are only 2 at  +10, presumably so there is still somewhere to grow).

Odium said:

- It is enough for a Tech Priest to accompany a Rogue Trader, but is it enough for one we can use as a PC?  That is the question others are asking.  I can see the possiblity of a Ad Mech Explorator or Magos attaching himself to a RT's retinue to either to investigate an accusation of tech heresy or to have a front-row seat to any interesting tech gewy-gaw that the RT has pass through his hands.  But admittedly purists would find that to be a bit of a stretch.

- Blessing of the Omnissiah?

I dont recall the rogue trader novels "Star of Damocles" or "Rogue Star"  by Andy Hoare mentioning tech priests as part of the crew.  But the Imperial Navy definitly has them.  But to fly the vessel without them would be sacrilege. 

Isn't it enougt that the Tech Priest is on the Ship to use him as a PC?

Why should i think about reasons why i can do something? If there are no obvious reasons why I can't do it, i can do it. Thats at least my opinion.

@Rogue Star

Anybody here knows where i can get this book in europe for under 20€?

I only have the second book "Star of Damokles", is it understandable if I haven't read the first?

I am hoping for some nice rules to continue the advancement of my DH character.  I would love to see classes from the two games integrated.  Just like the Eisenhorn novels.

Santiago said:

Ha, frak, I was right.
Though now it seems they are idd more powerful, rank 3 DH equivilent, with rank 5+ equipment.

Yep, good call Santiago!

www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp

Explorator.  Tech-priest to the stars ... er Rogue Traders.  hehe   Yep, looks like they start on par with the FB characters, so it does not appear that the FB PCs were altered for the adventure, except to occasionally simplify things.

Santiago said:

Yeah wow.  I for one was not sure how they could pull it off.  Good call man

Both of the novels have the Arcadius dynasty as the main characters, and follow not far after each other.  But you can still understand whats going on without the first book.  Maybe check Amazon for sellers.