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FORMATION OF THE INQUISITION The Inquisition was widely believed to have been created by the Emperor Of Mankind shortly before his internment within the Golden Throne , however the foundation of the Inquisition is shrouded in mystery and is a much-debated subject. It is generally accepted that the Inquisition in the 41st Millenium solidified into its modern form, some time in the 32nd Millenium, some 800 years after the Horus Heresy . Whilst it is believed that the organisation itself came into being either during or directly after the Heresy, the essential components and apparatus of the Inquisition (the Black Ships, the 'Witch Hunters' of the Sisters of Silence, amongst others) were already in place well before then. Recent sources, (such as the ''Thorian Sourcebook'', cited below) posit that the Inquisition had four key founders, who were active before the Great Crusade , during, and a long time after, and it may simply have been that the Heresy and the Ascension of the Emperor, brought them out of the shadows. This theory is given greater credence by the fact that prior to the Emperor teleporting to Horus' battlebarge and Malcador's ascension to the Golden-Throne in his stead, Malcador presented 12 (unnamed) individuals of unquestioning loyalty, he had gathered together at an earlier behest of the Emperor. Four, we can suppose with some degree of certainty, were the founders of the Inquisition as detailed above, and the remaining eight were Space Marines, whom Malcador/the Emperor alluded to having come from the Traitor Legions, but who remained loyal in spite of the treachery of their peers. Their (the Space Marines) fates after this presentation are largely unknown, but one theory suggests that they provided the genetic materials for the foundation of the Grey Knights , a militant arm of the Ordo Malleus, detailed below. There were originally only two Orders within the Inquisition, but a third (the Ordo Hereticus) was added after the events of the Age Of Apostasy and it was deemed necessary to deal with a future "Plague of Unbelief"1. ORDOS OF THE INQUISITION In early editions of Warhammer 40,000, The Inquisition was a single entity with a single secret offshoot, the Ordo Malleus . Today, the Inquisition is divided into a series of organisations known as ''Ordos''. Each Ordo is responsible for assessing and combating a threat to humanity and is divided to deal with the threats Within, Without, and Beyond. As of the 41st millennium, the three Major Ordos are:
It should also be noted that there are some freelance inquistitors that are not part of one specific branch of the Inquisition. Ordos Minoris Subordinate to the Major Ordos are several smaller organisations, known as the ''Ordos Minoris''. These 'minor Ordos' are significantly smaller than the main three, and are often formed to combat specific, rather than broad, threats:
ROLE OF THE INQUISITION The Inquisition is immensely powerful, and the only individual that is exempt from their scrutiny is the Emperor. If he has good cause, an Inquisitor may demand any service from any Imperial citizen, up to and including the High Lords of Terra. The Adeptus Custodes who guard the Emperor's palace and person are exempt from conscription, because their duty to the Emperor is clear and unchanging. When it comes to the Adeptus Astartes , Inquisitors often show some discretion, as Space Marine chapters are often willing to come to blood over any infringement on their autonomy. However, not even the Adeptus Astartes are immune from their scrutiny and justice, and entire worlds have been destroyed in order to cleanse them2. Inquisitors also have absolute power to judge supposed heretics, mutants, untrained or rogue Psykers and the like, with no appeal save the intervention of another Inquisitor. Practically, all possible verdicts are death sentences, although the means by which they are achieved differ. Traitors, the worst grades of offenders, are considered irredeemable and will be quickly executed. Heretics may be redeemed, often after considerable amounts of Torture , and may receive Absolution through death in service to the Imperium. This service may consist of Arco-flagellation , conscription into Imperial armies, becoming the operator of one of the Ministorum's Penitent Engines or, in the case of penitent psykers, being sent to Holy Terra to become fuel for the Golden Throne. If the Inquisitor deems it necessary he or she can attach a stigma to a dangerous heretic or alien race. Each of the major Ordos has a different stigma. They are 'Extremis Diabolis' for the Ordo Malleus, 'Xenos Horrificus' for the Ordo Xenos and 'Hereticus Abomini' for the Ordo Hereticus. The Inquisition will also declare 'tainted' Space Marine chapters "traitoris excommunicate." The Chapter will usually be hunted down by the Grey Knights or the Sisters of Battle, usually resulting in the chapter fleeing to the Eye of Terror (If it has not already done so). The Soul Drinkers chapter is an exception, as they still believe themselves servants of the Emperor, and have begun a campaign to 'destroy' the Imperium to 'save it.' Young psykers who have not worked against the Imperium or used their powers much will usually be repeatedly tested, and if they are young, strong and pious enough, may be taken in by the Black Ships of the Inquisition to become a Sanctioned Psyker or even an Inquisitor. The requirements are strict and many will be found wanting. Those that fail the Inquisition's tests will either be executed or used to power the vast psychic beacon of the Astronomican, sacrificed for the ultimate good of mankind to sustain the Golden Throne which keeps the Emperor alive. If a world is the subject of extreme heresy or corruption, an Inquisitor may call down the verdict of Exterminatus , destroying all life on the planet. Many question the necessity of such acts, but the Inquisition feels fully justified in performing them. ORGANISATION AND OPERATION The basic unit of the Inquisition is the individual Inquisitor with retinue. Each Inquisitor travels the Imperium as his duties, studies, interests and local events direct him, and seeks out threats to the Imperium wherever he goes. When one is found, the Inquisitor will usually deal with it personally if his resources permit. If they do not, the authority of the Inquisition allows him to bypass the often unwieldy power structures that would hinder effective halting of such a threat by directly requisitioning military force, Officio Assassinorum aid or whatever else they may require, and applying them where needed3.. To allow this to happen safely and without abuse, the Inquisition gives each appointed Inquisitor an Inquisitorial seal. This is a Rosette , Signet Ring or similar adornment bearing the Inquisitorial logo, and gives the bearer all the powers of the Inquisition, including the authority to requisition troops, call upon all the Chambers Militant and more besides ("by the authority of the Immortal Emperor of Mankind" rule 4). The seal usually doubles as a decoder for encrypted Imperial documents up to extremely high levels of security clearance and may have similar perks. The crime of forging an Inquisitorial seal carries some of the worst punishments the Inquisition can call down on transgressors. Occasionally a matter will surface that requires more lengthy study and debate than a normal Inquisitorial case. In such cases, Inquisitors may hold Apotropaic studies. These studies usually gather between two or three Inquisitors. Larger meetings known as Apotropaic Councils or Conclaves will gather at least eleven Inquisitors for debate and study of an important issue, or they may be called to ensure communication within the members of a faction or philosophical grouping of the Inquisition. Quite rarely, a so called "High Conclave" or Apotropaic Congress may be convened, but only by an Inquisitor Lord. These will often gather dozens of Inquisitors for weeks of debate on many related topics. Usually, it is at conclaves and meetings of this sort new Inquisitors will be appointed. It is also during such meetings that the Inquisition polices its own ranks, as no other organisation has the authority to do so. Inquisitors with a certain degree of seniority (usually several decades of field experience) will often take on apprentices from various sources. These apprentices are often known as Interrogators, though there are several other ranks of apprenticeship. When his master deems him ready, an apprentice Inquisitor may be elevated to the rank of full Inquisitor. Normally, this requires the consent of at least three other Inquisitors or an Inquisitor Lord, but in extraordinary circumstances, such as the untimely death of his master, an apprentice may become an Inquisitor without these formal approvals. Very senior Inquisitors may become Inquisitor Lords. This largely honorific rank is bestowed by invitation from an existing Lord only, and requires the approval of two other Lords to be officially bestowed. The latter requirement is largely a formality, however, as Lords are few and far between and the odds of one Inquisitor being personally known to more than one is vanishingly small. Lords have a few extra powers within the Inquisition itself, but the title is mostly an acknowledgement of extraordinary servants of the Emperor and the position they have within the Inquisition. Part of the nature of the Inquisition's work requires numerous Undercover operations (depending on the individual Inquisitor, of course). Particularly dangerous or sensitive missions may require the Inquisitor and his crew to operate without even the remit or knowledge of local planetary authorities; in some cases, the Inquisitor may fake the deaths of themselves and their crew in order to move their mission forward invisibly. At times like this, Inquisitors operate under a mandate known as Special Condition, which means that the Inquisitorial team, to all intents and purposes, no longer exists. The normal Inquisitorial ]I[ symbol of office is replaced with a somewhat altered symbol that has a dagger-like point at the end and is colored a distinct blue shade, with a winged skull prominent near the top of the sigil; it is presented only when recruiting members to the team who can be trusted not to jeopardize the mission.This sigil was featured most prominently on the cover of Dan Abnett 's book, '' Ravenor Returned ''. Eisenhorn and Ravenor are two of the most famous inquisitors to have gone on special condition, and this has been illustrated in both of the trilogies written about them by Dan Abnett . Inquisitorial Retinues (henchmen) Often experienced inquisitors or ones in need of specific services depending on ordo or the current situation at hand will have retinues of henchmen that he has deemed most useful. These retinues can be made up of a variety of individuals from Chirurgeon medics to lobotomised gun servitors carrying massive heavy weapons. The full list of known used henchmen is described below5 6:
Especially helpful, competent (or attractive) retainers may become permanent members of an inquisitor's retinue, helping him bring light to the dark corners of the galaxy. Note that this list is not exhaustive as many different kinds of individuals with many different personalities and jobs have been seen in the employ of inquisitors in fiction. This allows for Inquisitorial Retinues and the Inquisitors themselves to be highly characterful models with different personalities, weapons, histories and attitudes. 7 8. PHILOSOPHY The Inquisition is broadly broken down into two schools of thought; that of the Radical and that of the Puritan. To the Radical 'the ends justifies the means' in every instance, whether through the employ of Exterminatus, daemonhosts, or alien weaponry. By contrast, the Puritans adhere strictly to Imperial doctrine and typically persecute their more unorthodox brethren. The main tenets of the Inquisition, beyond the Radical/Puritan divide, can be defined below: Puritans
Radicals
HISTORY Inquisitors have been a part of the ''Warhammer 40,000'' universe since the first edition of the game, Rogue Trader . However, they have had a higher profile since the release of the 54 mm miniatures game ''Inquisitor'' , which is a narrative game based around warbands which often comprise of an Inquisitor and his henchmen. The creation of ''Inquisitor'' was followed by a great deal of information about the Inquisition, and the organization attracted the interest of fans. This led to the creation of ''Codex: Daemonhunters'' and ''Codex: Witch Hunters'', both based around armies led by Inquisitors (of the ''Ordo Malleus'' and the ''Ordo Hereticus'', respectively). In addition there are online rules for using Deathwatch, the militant arm of the ''Ordo Xenos'' and one such Ordo Xenos Inquisitor has been released by Forge World. Famous Inquisitors Agmar, Inquistor :As a young member of the Ordo Hereticus, he lead attacks upon Ichar IV's capital city of Lomas to break up rebellion among strange cult members. It turned out that the rebellion was created by a massive Genestealer infestation. With the Adeptus Arbites , he destroyed enough defenses to allow the Ultramarines to seize back the planet. It was then that Angmar's Astropaths felt the approach of Hive Fleet Kraken and it was his initiative that led to the breaking of Hive Fleet Kraken at Ichar IV. 9. Barzano, Ario : Member of the Ordo Xenos. Featured in the book Night Bringer by Graham McNiell , He diguises himself as an adept of the administratum on the planet Pavonis in order to help the Ultramarines stop the awakening of the C'tan called the Nightbringer. He dies in the atempt and is buried on Pavonis. Covenant : One of a new breed of Daemonhunters who hunts down traitorous members of the Inquisition itself and their Daemonhosts. Trained Daemonhuntress Ivixia Dannica. Covenant is equipped with a power-falchion, a psy-cannon and limited psychic powers10. Coteaz, Torquemada : An Inquisitor Lord of the Ordo Malleus and High Protector of the Formosa Sector, a title he took from Inquisitor Laredian when it was revealed that Laredian created Daemonhosts and other abominations. Coteaz is an infamous adversary and destroyer of Daemon s; his name is a reference to Tomás De Torquemada .11 Czevak : One of the few non- Eldar to gain access to the infamous Black Library. Czevak reported the destruction caused against the Eldar craftworld Iyanden and its supporting spacefleet. Dannica, Daemonhuntress Ivixia : After her father Colonel Dannica was murdered by a daemon summoned by cultists who wanted revenge for the purge he enacted on them and their brethren, Ivixia was trained by Covenant. She had her father's skull fitted with an autogun and fitted to her armour so he could serve the Emperor beyond death. Wields a power halberd made from the shards of Saint Josmane's armour. The weapon is filled with the power of the saint and has sent scores of daemons screaming back to the depths of the warp. Draco, Jaq : Main character in the Inqusition War Series. Gained access to the Eldar Black Library and stole the ''Book of Rhana Dandra''. One of the few to enter the Emperors Throne Room since his internment. Draco has, for much of the Inquisition War Series, a retinues consisting of a Navigator, an Assassin and a Squat. He is a formidable psyker. Eisenhorn, Gregor : An Amalathian member of Ordo Xenos, he was the infamous inquisitor who orchestrated the downfall of Quixos the Bright and Pontius Glaw using a stolen daemonhost named Cherubael , a former tool of Quixos. He seemingly vanished soon after the downfall of Pontius Glaw13. Hand, Silas : He is an important character of ''Daemonifuge'', a graphic novel by Kev Walker. He was first a Witch Hunters serving under the Ordos Solar and eliminated thousands of heretics. After being approached by an important Daemonhunter, Inquisitor Lord Hephaestos Grudd, he was invited and joined the Ordo Malleus . :Inquisitor Hand was sent to Ophelia VII to identify if Ephrael Stern was tainted by Chaos. Mysteriously, she was the sole survivor out of 12,000 that was sent to the planet Parnis. His investigation led to no conclusion, and Hand was forced to return with her to the planet Parnis. During the return, their vessel's navigator was possessed by Chaos and destroyed their ship the "Hammer of Thor." Escaping, both Hand and Stern were able to land upon the surface. However, they soon confronted the Daemon Q'tlahsi'issho'akshami. Only Stern managed to live through the battle. 14 Hunt, Jason :Ordo Malleus Inquisitor and Warden of teh Stromgard sector. Hunt is closely affiliated with Commander Marcus Flintlock of the Storm Dragons Space Marines, and has used detachments of that force frequently in pursuit of his missions. A high-level psyker. Jerico, Lady Helena :Ordo Xenos Inquisitor. Has had numerous dealings on the planet Necromunda . Mother of bounty hunter Kal Jerico . Karamazov, Fyodor : An Inquisitor Lord of the Ordo Hereticus, also known as the Pyrophant Judge of Salem Proctor. A staunch Amalathian, Karamazov habitually judges and does battle from his massive Throne of Judgement and is generally hated by the Ecclesiarchy and Thorian inquisitors for his actions on Salem Proctor. His name is a reference to Fyodor Dostoevsky , Russian author of the novel The Brothers Karamazov , which contains a parable entitled The Grand Inquisitor . Karamazov made the infamous quote that is used to sum up an inquisitorial investigation: "There is no such thing as a plea of innocence in my cort. A plea of innocence is guilty of wasting my time."15 Kryptmann : Member of the Ordo Xenos, Tyranid expert, saviour of the Imperium in the Hive Fleet Leviathan crisis, and the discoverer of a full 82 alien species (all of which he subsequently deemed a threat to the Imperium and ordered eradicated). :He was the first Inquisitor to witness the devastating effects of a Tyranid invasian during the attack of Hive Fleet Behemoth and fought the Tyranids for over 250 years. He was one of the most active members of the Inquisition against the Tyranid invasions, even taking drastic measures to the dismay of other Inquisitors. During the Invasion of Hive Fleet Leviathan, Kryptman led Deathwatch Kill-teams to the Tarsis sector to aid the Mortifactors Chapter and the Ultramarines of Tarsis Ultra. By capturing a Lictor, Magos Biologis Locard (Kryptman's Adeptus Mechanicus Biologist ) created a biological weapon to use against the Tyranids and Deathwatch members used it to destroy the Norn Queen. :He later authorised the largest single act of genocide the Imperium has ever inflicted on itself by abandoning or destroying all worlds in Hive Fleet Leviathan's path. He was later issued a "Carta Extremis" and was stripped of his title. However, this did not stop him and he soon led his loyal Deathwatch warriors to steal Genestealers in statis and used them to lure Tyranids to the Ork homeworlds of the Orks of Octavius . 16 Lok, Solomon : Member of the Ordo Xenos, lead the investigation of the loss in communication from Beta Anphelion IV, supported by Space Marines from the Red Scorpions chapter, along with the Eylsian Drop troop regiment D-99 and also a regiment from the Cadian Guard. Featured in Imperial Armour IV, and one of the few Inquisitor models cast by Forge World . Orechiel, Lady Jena : The daughter of an Imperial Governor and member of the Ordo Xenos, Jena is currently investigating the supposed reawakening of the C'tan. Jena is a character in the game ''Inquisitor''. Ravenor, Gideon : Previous acolyte to Gregor Eisenhorn, a more powerful psyker than even Eisenhorn himself, and author of many famous texts such as the 'Spheres of Longing'. Reynaard, Inquisitor :Reynaard discovered a cult worshipping aliens on Mandall IV. Using a Deathwatch kill team, he attempted to destroy the cult, which proved to have taken over most of the capital city. After escaping, Reynaard returned with over 500,000 troops and eradicated all in the city.17 Scarn : A very secretive inquisitor who avoids combat at all costs, and is instead a master manipulator. Last seen at an Inquisitorial conclave six decades previously. For the past sixty years he has been working his ultimate plan, which he believes will solve all the problems that the Imperium faces, and only now are the pieces in place for stage one. Scarn was featured in the ''Inquisitor'' Campaign Supplements. Thaddeus :A Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus, he was put in charge of hunting down and destroying the renegade Soul Drinkers space marine chapter. He is a rather patient man and does things more slow and concise as to do it right. He shuns other inquisitors who use force and fear on imperial citizens to get their information. He believes in speaking to people politely and with respect to get what he needs. He seemed to make a deal with Sarpedon, the Chapter Master of the Soul Drinkers. When Sarpedon was injured badly and held almost in death by a insanely powerful mutant attempting to gain godhood in the warp known as Teturact. Thaddeus decided to spare Sarpedon after months of trailing the Soul Drinkers and kill Teturact, deciding that Sarpedon wasn't nearly as dangerous to the Imperium as Teturact was. Toth, Mordecai : Featured in the Dawn Of War Real-time Strategy game. Wielder of the daemonhammer "God-splitter", crafted from a fragment of the weapon of an Eldar Avatar, which he later gifted to the Blood Ravens chapter. Tyrus, Witch Hunter : A stanch Monodominant and hunter of all psykers, who wears elaborate ornate armour. He is suspicious of witches and psykers. He personally wants to kill them all, human or not.18. Vail, Amberly : Member of the Ordo Xenos. Featured in the Ciaphas Cain series, she acts as the editor of the Cain Archive. It has been suggested that her relationship with Cain is more than professional. Voke, Commodus : Ancient and famous Thorian leaning towards Monodominant save for his very powerful psychic abilities. Lived to be extremely old due to being extremely difficult to kill. Arrogant and open with his position and fame, he was a sometime ally of Eisenhorn. A legend during his time, a testament to his ability, is the fact that he fought an uncontained daemonhost in a psychic duel and was not obliterated outright. REFERENCES (NOTE: this sigil was featured most prominently on the cover of Dan Abnett 's book, ''Ravenor''.) |
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