Inquisition Time!

Tomorrow we begin Under A Vast Grey Sky, the first part of a new Dark Heresy cycle that will be running here at the Wargate! For those who aren't as familiar with the setting, and for those who are wanting a few more specifics as to how the Ordos stand within the Mardannon Sector, this short primer is designed to hit a few high points in as few words as possible, making it readable for your average net-serf.

Let's start with the major divisions within the Holy Inquisition itself, the Ordos.

1. The Ordo Hereticus is responsible for protecting mankind from itself. This includes but is not limited to apostate members of the Ecclesiarchy, rogue psykers and mutation.
2. The Ordo Malleus is responsible for combating and defending the Imperium from the physical manifestation of Chaos, the daemon. Some overlap with the Ordo Hereticus regarding psykers.
3. The Ordo Xenos is responsible for learning about and policing the Imperium for alien threats. Orks, Tau and all other foul xenos are within the Ordo's purview.

There are myriad smaller Ordos, but these three are found across the galaxy. Also, some Inquisitors do not belong to any Ordo, just sort of roaming around doing crap. However, there are more factions than just these. Many Inquisitors have a certain philosophy they ascribe to, and this colors how they operate. In an organization the likes of the Holy Inquisition, there is bound to be a staggering amount of conflicting viewpoints, and we'll touch on the major strains of belief in the Mardannon Sector. These philosophies are divided into two major camps, known as Puritan and Radical.

The Puritan factions try to stick to Imperial doctrine as much as possible, and pretty much persecute their Radical Brethren as much as possible. The Puritan factions are as thus:

1. The Thorians believe that the Emperor of Mankind will one day be reincarnated.
2. The Monodominants believe that Mankind is only safe if all other sentient alien races are completely obliterated.
3. The Amalathians want the status quo to be maintained, and strive for cooperation between Imperial agencies.

Radical factions have a different outlook - pretty much "if it works, do it". This turns to using the tools of the enemy against them, which is a valid tactic in some situations. However, the suspicions of their Puritan Brethren can be hindering and in many cases dangerous. The Radical factions include:

1. The Xanthites who believe that Chaos can be used against Chaos. This takes the form of daemonic pacts, Chaos artifacts and crazy rituals of nasty Chaos-ity.
2. The Recongregationists who believe that the Imperium is deeply corrupt to the core, and want to destroy it to rebuild it in a more suitable image.
3. The Istvaanians who believe that only strife and war can bring humanity to where it must go. They hold that humanity is the strongest after periods of terrible suffering.

So there are plenty of diametrically opposed viewpoints, and this doesn't do much to actually breed trust amongst certain members of the Inquisition. However, this is the Mardannon Sector...what Inquisitors are active here? To answer that question, I have prepared a small report on the top members of each Ordo most active in the sector. It's assumed your character, as an acolyte, will be aware of at least this much.

The Ordo Malleus

• Inquisitor Lord Lucian Kylan - The most militant Inquisitor in the entire sector, Lord Kylan plies the stars on the powerful and ancient warship Hammer of Titan. He commands a vast amount of resources, and has taken war to the minions of Chaos many times. A staunch monodominant, Kylan's power is turned upon the daemon mutated armies of Chaos.
• Inquisitor Dominic Gustav - A powerful daemon-hunter in his own right, Gustav was once the acolyte of Lord Kylan. Now, he attempts to uphold the Amalathian agenda where the threat of the warp bleeds through.
• Inquisitor Marius Vex - A quiet but thorough witch-finder, rogue psykers and others bound for the Black Ships fear the shadowy form of this Inquisitor. Though he is a believer in the Thorian way, he's not so sure there will ever be such a vessel and focuses on his work rooting out daemon-sorcerers.

The Ordo Hereticus

• Inquisitor Shan Tsien Tiang - Openly ascribing to the philosophies of the Recongregators, this Inquisitor from a barbarian world travels a route between five systems, handing out judgements and burning at least one witch on each stop just to make a point. Many criminals who have violated the tenets of the Hereticus are held prisoner until he arrives to hand down judgement, which might be a period of many years.
• Inquisitor Corvus Mandera - A low key operative who is a staunch Amalathian, Mandera makes it a point to follow up accusations of witch-craft and heresy in the many guilds criss-crossing the sector. Oftentimes operating with very little resources, this rugged Inquistor has produced an amazing amount of results in the short time he has been operating.
• Inquisitor Abakum Lukyanov - This eccentric Xanthite has spent many long years seeking out and (presumably) destroying several legendary sorcerous tomes, such as The Infinite Secret and Ulorkotesh's fabled Snugdriggunumancy. Lukyanov has written several treaties on using mankind's latent psychic powers in conjunction with certain types of learning that suggest he may favor teaching nascent psykers sorcery by tome...

The Ordo Xenos

• Inquisitor Lord Marcus Baurus - A militant Istvaanian, this influential Inquisitor Lord has taken it upon himself to work to aggravate situations where destabilization is imminent. He has fanned the flames of war in many places, ushering in fighting with Ork tribes all along the reaches in warpshot of Magnum Sierra. Lately, he's been exploring the relations of the newly arrived Tau, and how to exploit them to draw them into a cataclysmic war.
• Inquisitor Ignacio Sulla - A professed Recongregationist, Inquisitor Sulla is ready and willing to help any Imperial Commander who requests his help. The catch is that whatever catches his attention is exposed to the most prolific Recongregationist in the sector, and profound change usually follows in his wake.
• Inquisitor Demekh Gulyayeva - An explorer from the edge of the system, this monodominant seeks out alien threats to the Imperium with the aid of the Imperial Navy and even Rogue Traders and other starfarers and organizations across the sector. Currently chasing Eldar pirates all around the sector, this Inquisitor has more resources and favors to call in than many other Inquisitors in the sector.

So, there's our outline for the Inquisition in the Mardannon Sector. You can find more information on the Inquisition at this awesome link to the Warhammer 40,000 wiki. As the game progresses, I'm sure you'll find out a lot more than you wanted to know! Just remember this one maxim, however, whenever you think of the Inquisition.

Even if you have nothing to hide, you still have something to fear.