Chapter 13 - Witchhunt ====================== 13.1 Introduction =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- This chapter is about the Inquisition, the organisation often described as the left hand of the Emperor (the right hand, of course, being the Ecclesiarchy, described in another chapter). One of the most widely known organisations of the Imperium, the mandate of the Inquisition is to investigate and stop any threat to the Imperium and Mankind, and it is willing to use whatever means it must to achieve this end. There are no bounds to the Inquisitions field of operation: alien plots, administrative inefficiency, corruption, mutations, crime, secret cults, Heresy and unauthorised psykers all come under its jurisdiction. No world, no organisation, no individual is immune to the Inquisitions gaze: planetary governors, even the High Lords themselves, are subject to investigation and no treachery or betrayal of the Emperor is too petty to be left unpunished. However, it is rogue psykers who command the majority of the Inquisitions time. Untrained or deviant psykers represent a terrible threat to humanity and it is the pursuit of these that has earned the Inquisitor the name of witch-hunter across the galaxy. 13.2 Organisation =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Inquisition is a secretive organisation headed by a shadowy figure known only as the Inquisitor General. The identity of the Inquisitor General is unknown to most of the organisation, but he or she keeps a tight watch on the Inquisitions operation. The Inquisitor Generals identity is known only by the Secret Order, the shadowy group of the Inquisitions most important members who meet periodically in a Conclave of the Inquisition, where they meet to examine serious threats to humanity and formulate Inquisitorial policy. Vital information is passed from the Conclaves through the Secret Order, and hence to all the Inquisiion. An obsession with secrecy dominates the structure of the Inquisition. This secrecy is a vital part of the Inquisitions role. The Inquisition, more than any other body, knows that there are countless alien races and other threats all too ready to destroy mankind. Not all are physical creatures, many have the ability to take on human appearance or to control the minds of humans. Were the Inquisition to operate more openly it would soon fall victim to the very powers it seeks to fight. Only by shrouding its leaders in a blanket of secrecy is the Inquisition safe from infiltration and destruction. The Inquisition has a permanent place on the Council of High Lords on Terra. However as the Inquisitor General cannot, for obvious reasons, sit on the Council himself, the seat is instead set aside for the 'Inquisitorial Representative'. To sit on the Council as Inquisitorial Representative is a great honour, and only the most trusted Inquisitors are entrusted the role. Often, it is the last the Inquisitorial Representative hears of the meeting, the Secret Order learning of what transpired by other channels and not risking their cover in directly meeting with the Inquisitorial Representative. Only in the most grave of circumstances does the Inquisitorial Representative meet with the Secret Order to disseminate to them what transpired in the meeting with the Imperiums most powerful figures. When this happens, there is no alternative but to either induct the Representative into the Secret Order himself, or ensure, perhaps in a fatal manner, that he can never reveal the members of the Secret Order to anyone. 13.3 Inquisitors =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Outside the Secret Order and the other minor Orders (see below), much of the Inquisitions work is carried out by Inquisitors on the ground, wandering the Galaxy rooting out Heresy and any threat to humanity. Each Inquisitor is a powerful figure in his own right, equipped not only with the best equipment the Imperium can offer, but able to call on any assistance he or she needs. The Inquisition, and its members, is above the law. This means that Inquisitors answer to noone but their elders in the Inquisition, not even the High Lords of Terra. Equally, every Inquisitor has full right to call on any forces or resources he wants, demanding full cooperation from such figures and organisations as Planetary Governors, the Imperial Guard, Space Marines and Adeptus Arbites. This means that not only is each Inquisitor a powerful figure in personal prowess, a skilled communicator, commander and power player, but also highly powerful in who or what he commands: everyone. Many Inquisitors, though they spend much of their time hunting rogue psykers, are powerful psykers themselves. The paradox of psykers hunting psykers. They understand the terrible threat an untrained psyker represents to the whole of Mankind: each is a possible portal for a daemon of the Warp to invade reality. Many Inquisitors gather personal retinues to help them. Such retinues can include Ministorum preachers, psykers, Techpriests, "tamed" daemons, rogue traders, arco-flagellants (people whose crimes were so extreme as to be modified with flagellant weaponry, normally kept calm and controllable by hymnals and other visions induced in their heads, but which can at the push of a button or a psykers mere thought be induced by stimm drugs to become an indiscrimate killing machine), and any manner of others. 13.4 Inquisitorial Factions =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Inquisitors are individual, all with their own methods, ways of working and philosophies. The structure of the Inquisition and the size of the Imperium makes almost every Inquisistor for practical purposes a lone agent, and their ways and philosophies vary wildly. Inquisitors can be roughly divided into two camps, however, Puritan and Radical. Puritans within the Inquisition outnumber the Radicals many times over. 13.4.1 Puritans ---------------- 13.4.1.1 Thorians ------------------ The Thorians trace their origins back to the Age of Apostasy and the overthrow of Lord Vandire by Sebastian Thor. To some Inquisitors it was evident that Thor moved with a divine purpose, and was instilled with some of the power and charisma of the Emperor Himself. It is their belief that the Emperor still walks among us. Having been shorn from the physical realm by the wounds inflicted by Horus, he once again must choose vessels do to His work, as he did so before the Age of Strife. The flesh maintained in the Golden Throne is not the Emperor, for he travels abroad, tending to His Divine Will, instilling his powers into those who have been chosen. But these are frail, mortal bodies which can possess only a fraction of the Emperors power, and are ultimately destined to die of injury or old age. But what if the Emperor could be granted a body that does not wither and die, that could be His vessel for all eternity to come? The Thorians believe that such a thing is possible, that the Emperor yet waits for His new body to be found or created. In essence, a new Emperor will be created to lead Mankind to its destiny and conquest of the Galaxy. The Thorians seek ways that energy and consciousness interact with the Warp, and their transferral from one to the other. They delve into the secrets of possession and manifestation by daemons and other Warp entities, trying to decipher what rules govern the relationship between the Warp and the material universe. It is their dream that one day they shall find a host suitable for the Emperors magnificence, and through prayers and ritual be able to guide His spirit into His new body, allowing the Emperor to once again walk amongst His people. The Thorians can mostly be found amongst the ranks of the Ordo Malleus, where they can study the power of Warp-based creatures in the material realm, gleaning understanding about the Emperors abilities to manifest His Divine Will in our universe. A fair number can be found inside the Ordo Hereticus, where the course of their duties allows them to find out as much as possible concerning Sebastian Thor and other such gifted Saints in the Ministorums long history. There are quite a number of Resurrectionist cults and factions within the Ecclesiarchy, and these create a very useful network and provide foot soldiers for Thorian Inquisitors. Relatively few are found in the Ordo Xenos, though there are some who believe the answer to achieving the Thorians aims can be found in the sophisticated psychic technology utilised by the Eldar and other ancient races. 13.4.1.2 Monodominants ----------------------- It was Inquisitor Goldo in the third century of the 33rd millennium who penned the treatise 'Monodomination - The Right of Man to Rule the Galaxy in the Emperors Holy Name'. In this lengthy document, he compiled his many experiences and commentaries from nearly four hundred years of service to the Imperium. His final conclusion amounted to declaring that the only way the Emperors loyal servants would survive in the Galaxy was if everything else was destroyed. At the time, this overtly pessimistic view found few sympathisers and was attributed to a devout but aging Inquisitor suffering a breakdown and losing his faith in Humanity's ability to prevail. However, several centuries later, Inquisitor Jeriminus of Paelutia revived the theme of Monodominance and swore to enact Goldo's vision, and it has enjoyed various levels of popularity amongst Inquisitors ever since. The Monodominants have a simple goal: to destroy forever the Emperors enemies. Monodominists have absolutely no tolerance for any kind of wayward behaviour. There is no excuse for Heresy, contemplating Heresy or for abetting Heretics. Heresy includes mutation, religious deviation, aliens, psykers and any other beings who do not conform to their view of the loyal Imperial servant. There is only one punishment in the Monodominant philosophy - death. Mankind is fighting a war for racial survival, and the Monodominants hope that if they kill off enough aliens, psykers, mutants and Heretics, eventually natural selection will prevail and Humanity will rise to its position of ultimate power. Monodominants are very militant and will resort to the final solution of Exterminatus more than any other Inquisitors. They are an open faction, using their presence to stir widespread xenophobia and hatred, leading mobs of frenzied citizenry to purge their own ranks of the filthy and unclean Heretics who threaten their future. They are utterly ruthless and unforgiving, inflexible and intolerant. They are generally the youngest and most hot-headed of the Inquisition, charging across the Imperium leaving devastation in their wake. Their confidence in their philosophy is almost unshakeable and they, more than any other faction, will wage war upon Inquisitors with a slightly less hard line view if their paths cross - in their minds, quite rightly, being a member of the Inquisition is no excuse for Heresy. Monodominants can be found in all Ordos of the Inquisition, and quite often they will belong to none of the Ordos, seeing all Heresy as equally threatening. Inquisitors who believe in the Monodominant philosophy are wont to associate with the most militant and violent cults and creeds within the Imperium, such as Redemptionists, and can most readily draw upon the resources of the Ministorum to achieve their aims. Of course, many Inquisitors find the Monodominants incredibly narrow-minded and rigid, and claim that often they do more harm than good with their excessive purges. Inquisitors who believe in the incorporation of alien technology and Warp artefacts, and other supposedly Heretical notions, consider the Monodominants to be crippling themselves by their refusal to make use of such tools. 13.4.1.3 Amalathians --------------------- The start of the 41st millennium was a time of spiritual and physical rebuilding for the Imperium. A great conclave was held on Gathalamor, at Mount Amalath, where military, religious and political leaders and dignitaries gathered in their thousands to swear once more their oaths of loyalty to the Emperor and Mankind. It was this gathering that spurred Macharius to his conquest of nearly a thousand worlds, and during this time there was a swell of optimism within the Inquisition that everything was once more proceeding as the Emperor had planned, in contrast to the widespread pessimism that pervaded before and after the Reign of Blood and Plague of Unbelief. A large number of Inquisitors joined the Amalathian movement, believing that it was their sacred duty to let nothing threaten the strength which the Imperium was regaining. They strive to maintain the status quo, seeking out any person or agency that might destabilise the power of the Imperium from without and within. They are less concerned with the more traditional crimes of mutation, witchery and religious Heresy except where these conflict with the Empire of Man. They try to keep the rivalry and politicking between the various Imperial Organisations to a minimum, holding to the Inquisitions original creed of strength through unity. Change is considered the most serious threat of all, for change can herald disaster. While other Inquisitors might endeavour to bring about some great upheaval or revelation that will see Mankind break from its current turmoil into a a new golden age, the Amalathians prefer to progress slowly, if progress is necessary at all. The Amalathians accuse Inquisitors of other philosophies of utter arrogance in claiming that they know the Divine Will of the Emperor. Amalathians trust the Emperor to work His way as he has always done, and it is for the Inquisition so that He may do so as He sees fit - mortals do not try to guess the Emperors mind. At its heart, the Imperium is the Emperor embodied and to protect the Imperium is to protect the Emperor. Amalathians work hard to root out factions and cults which would destabilise and threaten the power of the Imperial organisations, Imperial commanders, military leaders and so forth. They openly and actively support these parties, and grant them tremendous leeway to protect their own positions, where it does not threaten the status or power of other organisations and individuals. They are very wary of any change at all, and closely adhere to the the dominant beliefs of their time and society. The Amalathian faction can be found in all of the Inquisition Ordos, each striving to shield the Imperium from the worst ravages of aliens, cults, religious schisms and mutation. They work well with agents from other Imperial agencies, as the interests of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Imperial Commanders, Ministorum and other organisations are also the interests of the Inquisition. They work particularly well with the Adeptus Arbites and local security forces whose duty it is to enforce Imperial and local law, thus defending the power of the Imperium itself. 13.4.2 Radicals ---------------- 13.4.2.1 Xanthanites --------------------- Xanthanism is one of the oldest philosophies of the Inquisition, named after Inquisitor-Master Zaranchek Xanthus who was executed as a Heretic in the early 32nd millennium. Xanthus was accused of Chaos worship, and although he professed his innocence strongly he was eventually burnt by a team of fellow Inquisitors. Throughout, Xanthus had maintained that he remained pure, though he admitted that he did on occasion utilise the forces of the Warp and Chaos to achieve his goals. It was his firm stance that such power could be harnessed without the spititual corruption of the wielder that was to be later picked up on by other Inquisitors. It is the ultimate goal of the Xanthanites to harness the power of Chaos for Mankind. They believe that Chaos cannot be defeated for it is merely a reflection of Humanity itself. However, those energies and powers created by its existance can be turned back for the benefit of Humanity, rather than being an enemy. This does not mean that they advocate giving in to Chaos, but rather to capture the essence of Chaos and turn it to useful rather than destructive purposes. In the same way as the Warp (and so Chaos) allows Warp travel, Astrotelepathy and psykers to work on Mankinds behalf, so too can other facets of Chaos be controlled, tamed to the Emperors Will by the Xanthanites. Xanthanites investigate all aspects of the Warp and Chaos, investing its power into themselves where possible, destroying it only where necessary. They will use Chaos-tainted artefacts, daemon-weapons, books of Chaos lore and other Heretical items, utilising the powers and abilities of those weapons and tools to combat the incursions of Chaos, Heretics and aliens. Within the Xanthanites there are those whose beliefs go even further, and are known as Horusians. The Horusians look to the Primarch Horus who was a mighty being invested with immense Chaos power, and see an opportunity wasted. They believe that a new Horus could be created, invested with great energy from the Warp, but one who would unite all of Mankind for its betterment, rather than enslaving it to Chaos. Most other Inquisitors believe the Xanthanites, and particularly Horusians, to be walking along the edge of a precipice. Xanthanites are commonly seen among the Inquisition as arrogant and dangerous, toying with powers that do not fully comprehend. Puritanical Inquisitors have a particular loathing for Horusians, who they see as the most dire Heretics with their belief that they can create a new Emperor. However, as one of the oldest philosophies of the Inquisition, and including among their number some of the most learned and powerful Inquisitors, it is a brave or rash Inquisitor who will stand alone against the Xanthanites. Most often, as was the case with Xanthus himself, a cell of Inquisitors will form a common cause against a particular Xanthanite in an effort to expose his perceived Heresies and to deal justice. Their dealings with daemons and the Warp leads many Xanthanites and Horusians to become members of the Ordo Malleus, and they quite frequently build up associations with Chaos cults. They have been known to create sects of their own which are concerned with unravelling ancient mysteries and delving into arcane lore and knowledge. 13.4.2.2 Recongregators ------------------------ According to the Recongregation philosophy, the Imperium has become corrupt and decaying. It no longer serves the purpose for which it exists, and works in spite of its massive organisations rather than because of them. Over time the morass of politics, factions, bureaucracy and the immense edifices of the Imperium must be pulled apart and reassembled in a new fashion that works better for Mankind. If the Imperium is allowed to continue to stagnate, it will eventually fall apart and Humanity will fall prey to the unnumbered perils that it faces. Recongregators attempt to destabilise the Imperial organisations from the inside, replacing corrupt and/or conservative leaders and men of power with people who have more radical views and a will to change. Most are wary of too much upheaval though, preferring not to destroy something utterly, but to subtly change it and shape it to their will. Too much direct action risks bringing about the premature downfall of the Imperium, and the commensurate disaster that will bring. As might be expected, Recongregators are mostly found within the Ordo Hereticus, where they can learn of individuals who may be useful to their plans. Recongregators often help anti-Imperial sects and covens, often altering the cults philosophies to match their own if possible. They are not above extreme action where necessary, if this will promote the required response and change they desire. Asd can be imagined, Recongregators have frequent run-ins with those who believe in the Amalathian philosophy, as the two beliefs are diametrically opposed. This can lead to conflict between Inquisitors of the two concepts, with one working to destabilise or overthrow a particular persons or organisations power, and the other striving to maintain it. 13.4.2.3 Istvaanians --------------------- The greatest conflict to engulf Humanity was the Great Heresy which began with the primarch Horus' virus-bombing of Istvaan III. Althougb the Horus Heresy saw the destruction of entire worlds and devastation on an unprecedented and unrepeated scale, there are some Inquisitors who see it as as one of the moments during which the Imperium and Mankinds future was forged. From the Horus Heresy came the great military changes that saw the breakup of the Space Marine Legions and the division of the Navy and Guard, the Emperors Ascension and the creation of the Ministorum and many other events which reshaped the Imperium of the present. It is the goal of the Istvaanians to strength Humanity through adversity, believing that Humanity is at its strongest in times of turmoil and conflict. From periods of greatest upheaval have come the greatest leaps forward in technology, faith, and Galactic dominance. Did not the Horus Heresy weed out those Marines disloyal to the Emperor? Did not the Age of Apostacy herald the coming of Sebastian Thor and reformation of the Ecclesiarchy? Did not the great battles fought by Macharius' armies shine like a great torch in the dark times of the early 41st millennium! These are the arguments they put forward. The Istvaanians claim that only when it is hardest tested does Mankind show the true strength that lies within it. To this end, the Istvaanians endeavour to propagate strife and conflict for Mankinds own greater future. Istvaanians fan the fires of war and hatred so that Mankind will stay vigilant, that its warriors will be skilled and ready, and so noone will believe that they have done all they can. They are a bombastic and obvious creed, flaunting their warmongering ways, instilling those nearby with fiery zeal for themselves and the rest of Mankind. They pit faction against faction, world against world, so that the survivors will be the stronger for it. Istvaanians will stir up trouble wherver they go, working on the phobias and prejudices of Imperial commanders, military officers and the general populace to breed superstition, suspicion and violence. They work well with destabilisation and terrorist cults and foster relationships with violent pro-Imperial cults. Quite often they will build up the power of these secret societies and sects, only to reveal the threat that they pose to the authorities, urging the faithful to bring torch and sword to purge the corruption within. Istvaanians are found in all Ordos of the Inquisition, each extolling the terrors and dangers posed by the forces they face. Other members of the Inquisition do not trust Istvaanians, always questioning their motives and agendas. Opposing Inquisitors argue that, rather than strengthening Mankind, the Istvaanians' destructive activities weaken and destabilise the Imperium, threatening the bastion on which Mankinds survival is based. All too often, an Inquisitor may be investigating a Heretical cult or individual who is bent on opposing or destroying the Imperium, only to find they are sponsored or led by an Istvaanian who has fostered such rebellion for their own ends. Many such encounters end in physical conflict, as Istvaanians are nothing if not callous and bloodthirsty. 13.5 Orders =-=-=-=-=-=- Many Orders exist within the Inquisition, each specialising in a certain Inquisitorial activity. The name of the Secret Order is perhaps misleading, not because it isn't Secret, but because is no more secret than any other Order in the Inquisition. There are several other Others of the Inquisition we will discuss here: the Ordo Malleus, the Ordo Hereticus, the Ordo Xenos, the Ordo Militum, and the Ordo Sicarius. 13.5.1 The Ordo Malleus ------------------------ The Imperium and Inquisition go to great lengths to hide the existence of Chaos from the bulk of humanity. The Emperor and the High Lords of Terra fear such knowledge would have a terrible attraction to humanity, and Chaos hastened. The Ordo Malleus, when it is mentioned, is always referred to as a watchdog on the Inquisition itself. This it does, however it is also responsible for something altogether more serious and sinister. The origins of the Ordo Malleus are ancient, and predate the Emperors confinement in the Golden Throne. Established to police the thoughts and deeds of the Inquisition itself, it is still responsible for the moral purity of all Inquisitors, but it is now charged with seeking out and destroying all manifestations of Chaos within the Imperium. Its chief targets are the raiders of the Traitor Legions who sided with Horus in the Horus Heresy and covens of Chaos worshippers who infest the Imperium. The Ordo Malleus is formed only of the most hardened, uncorruptible members of the Inquisition. It is an arduous role that demands physical toughness and psychic prowess of the highest degree. Almost every Inquisitor of the Ordo Malleus is a highly skilled and powerful psyker, as they must be to fight the daemons of the Warp, and those who are not have tremendous mental resolve. Fighting the daemons of the Warp hand to hand takes incredible special powers and abilities. Needless to say, every Ordo Malleus psyker has undergone the Soul Binding to the Emperor. Unprotected psykers would be completely useless as daemon hunters! 13.5.1.1 Organisation of the Ordo Malleus ------------------------------------------ Unlike the rest of the Inquisition, the Ordo Malleus has a rigid and formalised hierarchy. It is controlled by a Council of 169 Masters, who have the right to direct audience with the High Lords of Terra, their authority extending even to the Inquisitor General who has on more than one occasion been tried and executed by the Masters of the Ordo Malleus. Below the Masters are the Proctors and Proctors Minor, each of whom controls a Chamber of the Ordo. The Chambers, named for their founding Proctor, are the basic unit of the Ordo. The rank and file of these are the Inquisitors Ordinary. Within a parallel organisation of 'Chambers Theoretical and Historical' are the Inquisitors Historical. These are the older members of the Ordo who can no longer carry out active duties for reasons of ill health or infirmity. They are assigned to research and collaborative projects in the vast Administrative Libraries. The number of Inquisitors Ordinary and Historical in a Chamber varies from only a few score for the Chambers Theoretical and Historical (which are engaged in research and disputation) to hundreds for some of the Chambers Practical (the sector establishments of the Ordo in the field). Masters in Council | Proctors of Chambers | +------------+------------+ | | Inquisitors Ordinary Inquisitors Historical (Chambers Practical) (Chambers Historical and Theoretical) The Ordo acts directly under the Emperors Warrant, and has a completely free hand. An Ordo Malleus Inquisitor Ordinary can demand anything in carrying out his duty. No explanation needs to be offered; an Imperial servant faced with an Ordo Inquisitor must simply obey. The commonest demand by Inquisitors Ordinary is for troops to support their action. Such forces never survive under an Inquisitor Ordinarys command, but posthumous honours are heaped upon units attached to the Ordo. Members of the Ordo favour a simple and sinister uniform. Obviously, it is difficult to remain hidden when large scale fighting against Chaos takes place or daemons must be exterminated. As a result, members of the Ordo Malleus wear black, loose fitting habits over their armour with large hoods that hide their faces in shadow. Graphic electoos (a form of tattoo) are a traditional, though unofficial, addition to the uniform of the Ordo. Because graphic electoos appear to move beneath the wearers skin, their appearance can be quite disturbing. Again, by tradition, Ordo Inquisitors have one graphic electoo for each coven member they have discovered and cleansed, and it is not uncommon for successful Inquisitors to be covered from head to foot in elaborate designs. The designs for Ordo electoos have been fixed for generations, and the motifs chosen are always variations on Daemons and scenes of the daemonic, the Ordo's enemies. This makes an Ordo members electoos particularly horrifying. The badge of the Ordo, the Imperial eagle clutching a rod and an axe, is usually worn on the shoulder or the right breast. Proctors and Masters are always psykers, and carry a force rod indicating their authority. In combat, this is often supplemented with a power axe. 13.5.1.2 Grey Knights ---------------------- Fighting Chaos and the daemons of the Warp, the Order requires a highly proficient fighting force, the best it can raise. Where possible the Order employs its own military arm, the Grey Knights. The Grey Knights are Space Marines, but unlike any other Space Marine chapter. They serve only the Ordo Malleus, and are trained to the highest standards of martial prowess. The Chapter was originally formed in the mysterious Second Founding from entirely new genetic stock by the Emperor himself (other Chapters merely use genetic stock replicated from other existing Chapters). While the existence of the Ordo Malleus is kept a closely guarded secret, the existence of the Grey Knights is well known, its activities cloaked in secrecy. In the Imperial records, the Grey Knights are Space Marine Chapter 666, by the Emporers instruction. They function as a Chamber Militant of the Ordo Malleus, and occasionally refer to themselves as such. The Grey Knights are fully as effective as any other Space Marine chapter. They are specially screened to exclude all but the strongest and most resilient psykers, a measure designed to prevent any Daemonic contamination. As a result, very few of the Grey Knights have any psychic ability whatsoever. Their training and surgery rituals are, if anything, more demanding than those of 'ordinary' Marine units. Recruits are conditioned to ignore pain and fear, and undergo neurosurgery to isolate and bypass their fear centres (though this can cause certain personality defects and acts of over-bravado - sometimes losing your sense of fear becomes a liability). They are exposed to wild psykers, mutants and deviants of every kind. They are trained to destroy them without conscious thought. This training produces a rigidly disciplined and controlled mind to which the presence of daemons is less of a shock than for normal beings. The Grey Knights are also imbued with a zeal and purpose to dwarf that of any other Marine chapter. Often entire companies are granted an audience with the Emperor, a privilege normally reserved for the Adeptus Custodes. Added to this spirit is the finest equipment in the Imperium. The Grey Knights are given only the best Marine equipment, with battle proven and improved designs being given to them before any other Marine unit. 13.5.1.3 Exterminatus ---------------------- Sometimes even the Ordo Malleus and Grey Knights are unable to curb Chaos, and other times the secrecy demanded by the Ordo Malleus and Grey Knights requires radical action, cleansing the planet of all life. This is called Exterminatus, and even military units of the Imperial Guard that have assisted the Ordo Malleus are subject to this scouring. The exposure is considered to comprise a significant risk which merits their destruction. The cost in human life is high, but the threat to all humanity is great and the cost must be reckoned in terms of racial survival. The Exterminatus is usually waived in the case of non-Grey Knight Space Marines drafted in to help the Ordo Malleus. In fact, it is very rare for the Ordo to request help from Space Marines in this way, as Space Marines are extremely valuable troops whose fighting abilities are sorely needed in other theatres. If ordinary Space Marines are employed on behalf of the Ordo, survivors are subjected to a deep hypnotic treatment designed to eradicate their recent memories. Total mind scrubbing is also possible, but this wipes out all memories, leaving little more than a childs mind in an adults body, who must not only be retrained in the art of war, but taught to walk and talk again. Not only is this costly, but the mental scarring resulting is palpable. The process of mind scrubbing, whether partial or total, is not absolutely infallible. Sometimes a Space Marines experiences will have driven him beyond the edge of sanity, in which case the only merciful option is death, taking care to recover the precious geneseed. In most cases, however, mind scrubbing is totally effective and its subject can return to his Chapter freed from the memories of any horrors he might have witnessed. 13.5.2 The Ordo Hereticus -------------------------- During the Age of Apostacy, the Ecclesiarchy was in a state of flux wherein its members sought ever more personal power, culminating in the Reign of Blood and the Plague of Unbelief (see the chapter on the Ecclesiarchy). The lessons of this age did not go unheeded. The Ecclesiarchy is now monitored closely, both internally (primarily by the Adeptus Sororitas) and externally, by a secret unit of the Inquisition set up specially to monitor the Adeptus Ministorum following the Age of Apostacy. This branch of the Inquisition is called the Ordo Hereticus and closely watchs those in power in the Ecclesiarchy, seeing they do not amass personal power beyond their station, as well as other measures. The Ordo Hereticus has full Imperial authority to take action to curb anything they judge improper or inappropriate, making sure those in power do not abuse their position to threaten the stability of the Imperium again. The Ordo Hereticus monitors Wars of Faith closely, ensuring the objectives laid down by the Ecclesiarch are justified and are not exceeded by those fighting. They oversee the Frateris Militia to curb the worst of their over-zealousness and safeguard the spirit of the Decree Passive (if not the letter of it), ensuring its prohibitions stay enforced. They regulate the money claimed by individuals in the Ecclesiarchy and halt attempts by Cardinals to amass more personal power than the Ordo Hereticus (or the individual Inquisitor) deems appropriate. The Ordo Hereticus also has another function, however: to defend Humanity against the myriad dangers posed by the witch, the heretic, and the mutant. To this end the Inquisitors of the Ordo Hereticus are a sinister breed, cut from a very different than their brethren in the Ordo Malleus and Ordo Xenos. Often their work involves the persecution of fellow Inquisitors for trafficking with the daemon or alien. On its foundation, the Ordo Hereticus also signed a historic document, the Convocation of Nephilim. This binds the Adeptus Sororitas as the Chamber Militant of the Ordo Hereticus. The Ordo makes extensive use of the Adeptus Sororitas, both as a zealous fighting force and in their less militant uses. Such uses include the Sisters Dialogous as translators, the Sisters Famulous as credible informants on many details of high ranking noble houses, and the Sisters Hospitaller for medical aid both in the field and in administering physical persuasion (torture) to the enemies of the Ordo. 13.5.3 The Ordo Xenos ---------------------- The Ordo Xenos has an unusually wide range of activities for an Order of the Inquisition. Its role is to monitor alien activities, including the the Orks, Necrons, Tyranids, Squats and Eldar. The location of every Eldar Craftworld in Imperial space is known to the Order, as is the status of the various Ork tribes (their size, known Warbosses, state of antagonism or alliance with neighbouring tribes, any possible Waaarghs, etc.). Tyranid and Necron movements and attacks are closely monitored where evidence of such activity comes to the notice of the Inquisition (and rest assured that it will). 13.5.4 The Ordo Militum ------------------------ The Ordo Militum has the duty of monitoring the Imperiums military bodies, including the Imperial Guard, Imperial Navy, Commisariat, Space Marines and (together with the Ordo Hereticus) the Adeptus Sororitas. It is responsible for ensuring corruption does not take hold among military personnel, ensuring the Commisariat enforces military law, and investigating the circumstances of any military action that it believes to be potentially unnecessary, overly barbaric, etc. If it decides action is needed, it will often simply inform the Commisariat and allow it to mete out military law, monitoring the Commisariat of course to ensure the proper military processes are followed. In some cases, however, the Ordo Militum may suspect the Commisariat to be corrupt, or it may be an issue outside the Commisariats juristiction, in which cases the Ordo is more than able to take matters into its own hands. 13.5.5 The Ordo Sicarius ------------------------- Following the Reign of Blood of Lord Vandire came the Wars of Vindication within the Officio Assassinorum. The Officio had become riddled with corruption and the Grand Master of Assassins brought the Officio Assassinorum to its knees in order to purge it. The Officio Assassinorum was reduced to ruins and left in dire need of reorganisation. The events that caused this and other details on the Officio Assassinorum are detailed in the chapter on that subject. The Inquisition ruled following the debacle that an Order was to be created to monitor the Officio more closely and prevent it ever happening again. Inquisitor Jaeger went on to create this new Order of the Inquisition, the Ordo Sicarius, and it still does today what it did then, monitor the Officio Assassinorum for signs of corruption and, if necessary, expose and stamp it out. At the Inquisitions request, the Officio Assassinorum agreed to the following changes: * The Assassin temples were distributed to various locations, so that should one fall to alien influence, daemonancy or heresy, the others would remain untainted. * Any Assassination to be allowed only by a two-thirds vote of assent in the Council of High Lords. * All Assassinations to be followed by a detailed account of the mission activity, subject to Inquisitorial inspection at any time. * All Assassins, with exceptions of those of the Eversor temple, to undergo regularly repeated psycho-doctrination, again under the eye of the Inquisition if deemed necessary. A major problem, however, was that the Officio Assassinorum was and is a highly secretive organisation. To monitor such an organisation effectively one must work from within its confines, not from the outside. Therefore, inducted into the Officio Assassinorum in various temples are some agents of the Inquisition, Assassin-Inquisitors, from whom the information the Ordo Sicarius needs to work is gained. This is done during the regular psycho-doctrination sessions with these Assassins, with whom the Inquisition from time to time makes a point of being present at. The Ordo Sicarius has, to date, successfully uncovered and prevented two assassination attempts on the High Lords themselves and prevented the assassination of an Inquisitor who had been working closely with the Orks of Lamina sector. Similar Orders within the Inquisition fulfil similar monitoring functions on other Imperial departments. --------------- Sources: Codex Imperialis (1993) (pp. 31-33) Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness (pp. 246-247, 272-275) Inquisitor Codex Daemonhunters (2003)