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==History==
The Ordo Malleus is considered one of the oldest and most ancient arms of the Inquisition that was created by the decree of the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]] prior to his internment and ascension to the [[Golden Throne]] of [[Terra]]. It was originally established to police the thoughts and deeds of the [[Imperium]] itself which meant it was charged with the purity of other [[Inquisitor]]s.{{Fn|2b}} In the hours following the defeat of [[Warmaster]] [[Horus]], and understanding the severity of his own wounds, the Emperor believed that others must fill his role guarding [[human]]ity from the [[Warp]], to thwart the designs of the Chaos Gods. {{Cite ThisMarker End}}
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|quote = '''''They shall be My Hammer, the sword in My hand, the gauntlet about My fist, the bane of My foes and woes of the treacherous. When no others may stand beside them, they shall fight. Only the greatest shall enter their ranks, for unto them do I entrust stewardship over the Gates of Hell.'''''{{Cite ThisMarker End}}
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Only the Emperor and the Cyber-libraries of the Ordo Malleus have an accurate recollection of the events of the [[Horus Heresy]].{{Fn|2a}} Among the targets of the Ordo include the raiders from the Traitor Legions, covens consisting of Chaos worshippers and the [[Sensei]] who are seen as a threat to the Imperium.{{Fn|2b}} It's known that only certain Inquisitors of the Ordo Malleus have been allowed entry into the [[Black Library of Chaos]] and they are always accompanied by [[Harlequin]]s who keep a close eye on these visitors.{{Fn|5}}
The power and authority of the Ordo Malleus extends beyond the nominal boundaries of the [[Inquisition]], a jurisdictional extension known as the '''Malleus Remit'''. In events of grave emergency concerning potential daemonic threats, a Malleus Inquisitor may demand the services and resources of any Imperial servant or organisation, a request which may not be refused on pain of death. Even the [[High Lords of Terra]] and the [[Space Marines|Adeptus Astartes]] are beholden to follow the '''Malleus Remit''' without hesitation{{Cite ThisMarker End}}.
In normal circumstances, the Ordo Malleus focuses its investigations toward two main threats{{Cite ThisMarker End}}:
* '''The Daemon Without''': [[daemons]] that have physically manifested in the material universe and mortals dedicated to the service of [[Chaos]].
==Military forces==
[[Image:Daemonhunter.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Daemonhunter in full battle regalia.{{Fn|1b}}]]
The armies of the Ordo Malleus are small, as only a select few individuals are trusted by the Inquisition with extensive knowledge of [[Chaos]]. Daemonhunter strike forces usually consist only of a Malleus inquisitor, the inquisitor's personal retinue, and as many Grey Knights as can be spared. {{Cite ThisMarker End}}
In battle, the greatest advantage of any Malleus force lies in the specialised and consecrated weaponry available to it. Utilising techniques and metallurgy lost to the rest of the Imperium, Malleus savants and allied [[Tech-priest]]s produce and maintain immensely powerful arms and armour specifically designed to combat the daemonic. In addition to this equipment, the Malleus Remit allows any Daemonhunter strike force to be bolstered by units from the Adeptus Astartes, the Imperial Guard, and the [[Officio Assassinorum]]. {{Cite ThisMarker End}}
Only the ranks of the Grey Knights are expected to survive in the service to the Ordo Malleus. All other troops that are seconded to the Ordo end up dying in this duty. The simple reason for the high rate of deaths within military units attached to the Daemonhunters is due to their exposure to the daemonic. Thus, they become privy to one of the Imperium's most closely guarded secrets namely the existence of Chaos and of Daemons. As their duty is to hide this threat from the Imperium, the Ordo Malleus has any surviving troopers being executed following a campaign or battle. Those that are killed receive full honours shortly after their elimination. Ultimately, all such regiments and corps are seen as expendable which means that they are terminated after the completion of their duty.{{Fn|2c}}
===Grey Knights===
{{main|Grey Knights}}
Extensively trained to fight the daemon, the Grey Knights alone bear the full knowledge of the nature of [[Chaos]]. They are the most powerful force the Ordo Malleus can bring to bear, above even [[Exterminatus]], and may only be deployed at the command of a Malleus Grandmaster, as the life of a single Grey Knight is considered to be an infinitely precious resource. {{Cite ThisMarker End}}
Millennia-old aegis armor inscribed with wards protects the bodies and souls of the Grey Knights against physical, psychic, or daemonic assault. The faith of Grey Knights, combined with their innate psychic talents, is so pure that it can cause daemons physical damage and pain and weaken their ties to the material realm. A Grey Knight's standard weapons include thrice-blessed [[Storm bolter]]s and [[Nemesis Force Weapon|Nemesis force weapons]]. {{Cite ThisMarker End}}
==Notable Members==
*[[Danicha Hest]]{{Fn|18}}
*[[Galan Noirgrim]]
*[[Praxus (Inquisitor)||Praxus]]
*[[Quixos]]
*[[Saffor Sengir]]
*{{Endn|11}}: [[The Chapter's Due (Novel)]], Chapters Three & Six
*{{Endn|12}}: [https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/10/12/enemies-beyond/ Fantasy Flight Games] - Teaser to '''"Enemies Beyond"''', Supplement to [[Dark Heresy Second Edition]], ''(last accessed 16 October 2015)''
*{{Endn|13}}: [[Hammer of Daemons (Novel)]], {{cite thisCite Marker End}}
*{{Endn|14}}: [[The Beheading (Novel)]] Chapters 6, 14-15
*{{Endn|15}}: [[The Emperor's Gift (Novel)]], Part One, Chapter One
