First, think about your character's origin. Were they born into a noble family or in the slums? For example, if from the slums, they might have a gritty backstory of survival against crime and poverty. Second, consider their motivation. Maybe they witnessed a heretical act and are now driven to root out heresy. Finally, add some personal quirks, like a fear of the dark due to a past encounter in a dark alleyway.
A key element is the character's family. If they come from a family of psykers, that would be a huge part of their back story as psykers are both feared and respected in the Dark Heresy world. Another element is their education. Were they trained in a scholam or self - taught? If self - taught, they might have some unorthodox skills. Also, their first encounter with the supernatural should be included.
One interesting Dark Heresy story could be about a group of acolytes investigating a cult in the underhive. They face numerous perils like mutant creatures and heretical technology. Another story might involve acolytes on a mission to retrieve a powerful relic from a derelict spaceship filled with warp - influenced horrors. And there could be a story where acolytes are tasked with uncovering a conspiracy within the Ecclesiarchy itself, having to navigate through the complex politics and religious dogma while avoiding the wrath of the Inquisition.
Well, there is the theme of sacrifice. Acolytes often have to sacrifice their own well - being, relationships, or even their lives in the fight against the enemies of the Imperium. And there's also the theme of discovery. They are constantly uncovering secrets, whether it's about ancient technologies, hidden cults, or the true nature of the chaos they are fighting. This discovery aspect drives the plot forward as they learn more about the threats they face.
Heretek Tech - Priests are antagonists too. They have deviated from the proper teachings of the Adeptus Mechanicus and are using their knowledge for heretical ends, like creating unholy machines or corrupting existing technology, which can pose a great threat to the Imperium.
These novels introduce key characters of the Dark Angels. By exploring their personalities, motives, and actions, they enrich the overall narrative. For instance, we get to know the Lion better and how his decisions impact the whole situation. They also show the complex relationships between the Dark Angels and other legions during the Horus Heresy, which is crucial for understanding the full scope of the conflict.
You can start with a simple concept. Let's say your character is an ex - soldier. Their back story could involve being dishonorably discharged. This could be due to disobeying an order that they thought was morally wrong. After that, they drifted into the criminal underworld of Blades in the Dark. They might have skills from their military training like marksmanship and strategy, but they also have a chip on their shoulder because of how they were treated by the military. Their goal could be to prove themselves in this new world.
In a Dark Heresy RPG story, a group of players' characters were acolytes assigned to a remote planet. The planet was known for its strange energy readings. When they arrived, they found a small settlement that was being terrorized by some sort of psychic entity. The acolytes had to figure out how to combat this entity, which was invisible most of the time. They sought help from the local psykers, but they were wary as some of them might be in league with the entity. It was a long and arduous journey of discovery and danger for the acolytes.
The atmosphere. 'Dark heresy novels' often have a very dark and gritty atmosphere. The settings are usually in a dystopian future, full of danger and the unknown, which is really exciting for readers who like that kind of mood.
One interesting Dark Heresy campaign story is about a group of acolytes investigating a cult on a remote planet. They infiltrated the cult's lair and had to face all kinds of heretical traps and fanatical cultists. In the end, they managed to expose the cult's true nature and save the local population from being sacrificed. It was a story full of danger and mystery.