40K Lore: The Inner Workings Of The Inquisition
Today Loremasters, a topic that fascinates subjects throughout the Imperium. Let us step into the action and adventure-packed world of the Inquisition by examining the meticulous details of inter-order factional schisms.
Whatever facet of the Imperium you reside in, the Imperial Inquisition is a den of mystery, adventure, and fascination. Whether you’re a planetary governor, a Rogue Trader, a farmer on an agri-world, a hapless combat servitor, or even one of the many disposable cannon fodder noble heroes and martyrs-in-waiting in the Militarum, the Inquisition stands above the rest as heroes and monster hunters a cut above everyone else.
And today we’ll be examining these heroes the best way possible, by discussing the nitty gritty details of their factional schisms sit down Loremaster-initiate Crenshaw. Did you not ask to hear about the Inquisition?
No we’re not going to be discussing their weaponry. Nor are we going to be discussing the myraid ways they can “take out a Xenos punk with extreme prejudice.” That’s only one Order and in anyway, aren’t the inner workings of their philosophical and political underpinnings much more fascinating anyway?
Well Loremaster-initiate Crenshaw, what you think is hardly relevant. On to the schisms!
As you might imagine, any body of individuals who are given free reign and allowed to do what they believe is best for the Imperium (even if that means following a tightly-structured code of guidelines) tend to have differing opinions on how to do, and even what actually is “best for the Imperium.”
Such vibrant personalities have sort of cemented themselves into two main factions. The Puritans and the Radicals. However, the individual is fractious at best–and as you might well imagine, both factions are riddled with sub-factions and internecine schisms. Fascinating stuff, wouldn’t you say, Loremaster-initiatve Crenshaw?
I thought so. Good. Now as we were saying, there are two main factions that disagree–the Puritans the the Radicals.
Puritans are a conservative political and philosophical faction of the Inquisition. To the conservative Puritans, it is of the utmost importance that Inquisition doctrine be upheld, and are often found persecuting those Inquisitors who are deemed heretical. They are in favor of the status quo and believe any evil, be it heresy, Chaos, or Xenos, should be shunned in all its forms. Puritans are known for their hostility and tension towards the other major faction of the Inquisition, Radicals.
But there are plenty of sub-factions among the two larger factions.
The Amalathians believe that the Emperor has a grand plan and that it is unfolding as it should. They are therefore concerned with maintaining the status quo and react vehemently against change. They are less concerned about the threat of mutation, witchery and the like, and more active in ensuring there is harmony within the vast Imperial organizations, that any rivalries and discord are dealt with and kept to a minimum.
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Then of course there are their cousins, who believe the Emperor must return somehow.
Generally considered as pro-resurrectionists, Thorians believe that the Emperor´s spirit can be transferred into another host, referred to as a Divine Avatar, an especially gifted, charismatic and saintly individual. Many other Inquisitors work against this agenda, because if such a thing happened the Imperium would be torn apart in a massive conflict between believers and non-believers, resulting in a devastation similar to the aftermath of the Horus Heresy.
The Thorians’ belief that Thor was divinely inspired and that he moved with the Emperor’s light burning within him. To many Inquisitors of the day, it was obvious that Thor was imbued with a measure of the Emperor’s will and charisma. They believed that it was not the first time that the Emperor had acted in such a way, citing such figures as St. Capilene and the hero Josmane as previous vessels of the Emperor walking amongst his people.
Now there are those spend a little too much time dreaming up principles and theories…
The basic principles of the Ardentites are centered on the concept of the Emperor Incarnate but that is where the similarities with the Thorians end. Instead of believing in a single Divine Avatar, the Ardentities feel that the power of the God-Emperor is likely to manifest either through a group or, more likely, through the entirety of Mankind itself. Many feel that as Humanity evolves into becoming a psychic race, which is evidenced by the gradual rise in mutation and rise of psychic abilities, that the ultimate aim of the Emperor is to protect Mankind in this vulnerable state by disseminating his power throughout Humanity. Thus, Ardentites do not concern themselves with seeking remarkable individuals but instead attempt to locate evidence of the Emperor’s presence in such individuals by proof of talent or psychic ability. This process is considered vague and unsure as none can determine the evidence of the Emperor’s presence. Despite this being the case, there is no end to accounts of miraculous events which are accounted to the intervention of the Emperor.
Finally we end with a little talk about Monodominants. Who are perhaps one of the more common examples of what an Inquisitorial attitude is like.
Monodominants are an extremist Puritan faction of the Inquisition known for their uncompromising prosecution of perceived enemies of the Imperium. Founded by InquisitorGoldo in M33 and later revitalized by Jeriminus of Paelutia, as their name implies, they are of the firm belief that the Imperium, and only the Imperium, should be allowed to exist. They are zealous supporters of the concept of manifest destiny, and believe that this is only achievable by the extermination of all threats and impurities. Xenos, witchcraft, heresy, blasphemy, mutation and civil disobedience are crimes punishable by death in the eyes of a Monodominant and those accused of such crimes can expect no reprieve. They see the Imperium’s war as a racial struggle of survival, and hope to kill enough aliens, mutants, psykers, and other “inhuman” beings that natural selection will be allowed to take its course and Humanity will rise to the position of ultimate power.
This concludes part one of our lecture on Inquisitorial philosophy and doctrinal schisms. I hope the rush of excitement is not too much for you, Loremasters.
