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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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{{InqPortal}}
'''The Holy Orders of the Emperor's Inquisition''' are a secretive and powerful organization that guards the undying souls of every citizen of the [[Imperium]]. The primary purpose of the Inquisition is to identify and destroy the myriad of potential threats to the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor's]] realmImperium and humanity.
==Formation of the Inquisition==
The actual founding of the Inquisition is shrouded in mystery and there are at least two different stories surrounding its formation.
The first is that in the twilight hours prior to His internment within the [[Golden Throne]], while Terra lay besieged by the traitor forces of [[Horus|Warmaster Horus]], the [[Emperor of Mankind]] commanded [[Malcador the Sigillite]] to seek out "men of character, skill, and determination" to be tested and trained so that an elite group of investigators might be tasked to discover the alien, mutant, and heretic. Immediately prior to his assasult assault on Horus's battlebarge, [[Malcador the Sigillite|Malcador]] presents twelve individuals to the Emperor, eight Astartes and four humans who he has gathered in response to the Emperor's commands. The Astartes are described as having cast aside their allegiance to their Primarch and Legion who sided with Horus; Maclador goes on to say that they are blessed with paranormal skills which are most apt in combating the horrors that have recently emerged from the warp<sup>9</sup>. Although the identities of the twelve presented to the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]] are never revealed, it is known that among those individuals recruited by [[Malcador the Sigillite|Malcador]] were Captain [[Nathaniel Garro]] of the Death Guard, Captain [[Iacton Qruze]] of the Luna Wolves, and [[Sisters of Silence|Sister of Silence]] [[Amendera Kendel]]<sup>1</sup>.
The second story is that immediately after the Emperor was interred in his Golden Throne, four trusted servants of the Emperor gathered in secret to discuss what was to happen next. Their opinions were divided; two believed the Emperor could be returned to life, the other two believed it folly to interfere with the events that had unfolded. The two resurrectionists, known as Promeus and Moriana, left Terra to begin their quest to bring the Emperor back to life. The two that remained acted quickly to establish themselves with the Senatorum Imperialis and created an organisation to combat the efforts of Promeus and Moriana; and it was from this seed, the Inquisition was formed<sup>10</sup>.
==Role of the Inquisition==
With the exception of the Ministorum (which, in any case is still under outside Imperial restrictions), the Inquisition is the only organization of Imperial government that is completely autonomous. Unlike other Imperial organizations, it is not a branch of the massive Adeptus Terra, but a self-contained organization answerable only to itself.
The role of the ordinary Inquisitor is to investigate and deal with all potential threats to mankind and the Imperium. In the eyes of the Inquisition, there are multitudes of such potential threats. The main threat is posed not by invading aliens, but from within, by corruption and disloyalty within the Imperial organizations, as well as by psykers. The other threat posed from within is that of mutation, the constant corruption of the human gene-pool. There are no bounds to the Inquisition's area of responsibility: alien plots, mutation, political corruption and incompetence all come under their jurisdiction<sup>2</sup>.
If required, Inquisitors may call on the service and/or resources of any Imperial servant or organization. Not even a [[High Lord of Terra]] may refuse the order of an Inquisitor without good reason. This power extends across the [[Adeptus Astartes]] and the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]], however learned Inquisitors show discretion and ''request'' the assistance of the Space Marines and attempt not to anger the Adepts of Mars. The only exception to this power concerns the [[Adeptus Custodes]]{{Cite This}}, as the purity of the Dread Guardians of the Holy Throne is beyond all doubt.
The role of the Inquisition requires proactivity and efficiency unbound by the dogmatic bureaucracy common to most other Imperial departments. Accordingly, there is little in the way of "hard" structure or departmentalization within the Inquisition. The There is virtually no hierarchy or system of ranks of command within the Inquisition is largely informal - an individual the only Inquisitor may that can be of higher "said to rank" to above all the others due to his own merit. Formally, the Inquisition is only organized in the most fundamental ways. At the very top [[Master of the organization, there are the high-ranking Inquisitors{{Cite This}}, but most Inquisitors being peers, there is no system of ranks or command such as is found in the military or Adeptus TerraInquisition]]<sup>2</sup>. Authority within the Inquisition is governed by two factors - reputation and influence. Seniority is in itself no indicator of authority, however most Inquisitors will take heed of the wisdom an older and more experienced peer.<sup>10,</sup> <sup>12</sup>
Because the Inquisition are the watchdogs of the Imperium, answerable only to themselves, given almost absolute power, along with such broad jurisdiction, corruption is an ever present danger. Its integrity is therefore upheld by constant self-policing and scrutiny. In the earliest editions of the background, this was the stated role of the Ordo Malleus, which were the Inquisition's secretive Inner Order.
Although there is no formal system of ranks or command in the Inquisition, there are a number of positions that may be held by an Inquisitor. These positions do not bring any more authority (an Inquisitor's authority is already absolute), however the incumbent Inquisitor will have increased influence over his peers by virtue of his office.
* '''Inquisitorial Representative''': The Inquisitorial Representative is the voice of the Inquisition on the [[Senatorum Imperialis|High Lords of Terra]]. Although the role does not bring any additional authority above that of Inquisitor Lord, it does put the holder in a position of unrivalled unrivaled power and authority due to the influence he has at the highest levels of power. The Inquisitorial Representative is nominated from amongst the Inquisitor Lords of the sectors surrounding Terra, and Inquisitors that have filled this role are referred to as an Inquisitor Lord Terran. It is not unusual for several Inquisitor Lords Terran to share the role of Inquisitorial Representative at the same time. The maximum term that an Inquisitor Lord Terran can serve on the Senatorum is five years, after which they must stand down.<sup>10</sup>
* '''Inquisitor Lord''': Also known as '''Lord Inquisitors''' or '''High Inquisitors''', Inquisitor Lords exist to help maintain the integrity of the organisation, and to watch over and guide its members. The title is a recognition of an Inquisitor's power and influence rather than an absolute rank, and is more a formalisation of a position enjoyed by the Inquisitor rather than an actual promotion. Promotion to the ranks of Inquisitor Lord is by invitation only; an Inquisitor must be nominated by an existing Lord and have his nomination approved by two others. It is an honour that is only extended to those that have proven their courage, ability, loyalty and integrity numerous times. Although the rank of Inquisitor Lord in itself brings no temporal authority, it is likely that such a respected and influential Inquisitor will have some measure of control over resources within the Inquisition or his Ordo and his control of those resources will give him some measure of authority over Inquisitors who wish to use them. For example a Lord Inquisitior may oversee the activities of all Inquisitors operating in the region covered by a regional Conclave; or he may orchestrate and monitor their activities of Inquisitors who are part of an Ordo or Cabal.<sup>8</sup> <sup>10</sup>
* '''Grandmaster''': The title sometimes given to the Inquisitor Lord who runs a sector or sub-sector Conclave; the Inquisitorial authority for a specific [[sector]] of Imperial space.<sup>3</sup>
* '''Master''': Where an Ordo has a strong presence in a sector or sub-sector, the senior Inquisitor Lord of each Ordo may be given the title 'Master'. Their role is to oversee and guide the activities of members of their Ordo and provide counsel to the GrenadmasterGrandmaster. Upon the death of a Grandmaster, a successor is chosen by secret ballot between the three Masters.<sup>3</sup>
* '''Inquisitor''': The Inquisitor ordinary. The vast majority of the Inquisition is comprised of these individuals.
