The Inquisition

Written by rttuo

Caring for the unfortunate and downtrodden masses is not our duty. We are faced with the daunting task of safeguarding mortal lives. Do not stand in the path of the righteous and faithful and pure. For you too shall be driven before the sight of great Agusten.
  You have been warned. You are being watched. You shall be judged.
All pay their rightly sum.   St. Albertius Magalis,
Founder of the Inquisiton
   
The Inquisition is the executive arm of the Andorian Church, used to combat all that is heresy and evil in the eyes of the church and falls outside the realms of peace. It's members are trained in dealing with necromancy, curses, magical afflictions and other forms of wrong doing. The organization operates in the empires of Ader and Osternfell, as well as holding a few positions in some of the Free Cities.

Structure

The Inquisition has a very clear and rigid structure. The professional forces, the Venatores, operates with flexible, yet organically grown squads, joined by commanding officers who move through a different branch. In cases of long deployment, a squad of Venatores may rotate through several commanding officers but rarely change the core members of the team.  

Judiciary and Legislation

The inquisition has no formal legislative body and most of its laws are open to interpretation by the inquisitors; this is by design, as inquisitors are expected to adapt and thrive in extreme circumstances due to them dealing with unconventional threats. In rare cases, the Cardinal of the Inquisition or the Inquirer Primus may implement a new law. Prior to the War of the Cleric, said laws had to be approved by Arch Priest; however, as Kairoz the Andorian grew in power and influence so did the inquisition. Currently its members aren't subservient to the ecclesiastical wing nor its members, with the sole exception of the inquisition's cardinal answering to the arch priest.   However, even before this rise in power members of the inquisition were trialed by their superiors, keeping the occurrence of any offense and misdemeanor within the inquisition. Major offenses, or public ones, were examined by a varying number of judges, ranging anywhere from five to thirteen. Among the norms that still remain is ordained inquisitors being conceived as somewhat infallible, and can only be trialed by a body of no less than 3 of their superiors.

Chain of Command


 
  • Cardinal of the Inquisition
    Holds the Office of Judgment. Appointed  by theAssembly of Bishopsand remains in the position for the remainder of their life. Serves as the supreme commander of the Inquisition and answers directly to theArch-Priest.
    • The Inquisition
      Enforcing Arm.
      The inquisition is the executive agents of the Divine Court2. The are initiated similarly to officers in the military but undergo studies of divine law and even civilian legal matters.
      • Inquirer Primus
        One is appointed for each major geopolitical entity, another is in charge of external affairs with minor powers.
        Oversee and responsible for any and all divine court appeals in their jurisdiction, with various freedoms delegated to their commands.
        • Inquirer
          Appointed to oversee kingdoms and large jurisdictional regions. Directly under the command of the Inquirer Primus of their parent region, managing heresy and providing advisement for the highest sits of power in region.
          In case of small or otherwise independent locations, the Inquirer is under the command of External Affairs.
          • High Inquisitor
            The bridge between the Inquisition, their ground forces and the general populace. High Inquisitors are responsible for a relatively small jurisdictional area, usually a central city or a duchy. This is the highest rank to serve as a commanding field officer, although actual field work is usually done by Inquisitors.
            The High Inquisitor also serves a Monthly Mass3 in their area's church or other central hubs in the lack of one.
            • Inquisitor
              Inquisitors serve as field officers tasked with resolving legal and divine matters. They can operate alone but it is rare and frowned upon. Usually an Inquisitor will be in charge of a specialized ring of Venatores, suited for their task. Inquisitors do not hold Jurisdiction, but operate under the delegations and conducts of their commanding High Inquisitor.
      • Venatores
        The militarized arm of the Divine Court. Venatores are comprised from clergymen who have undergone extensive training and gained expertise in one of five fields, although all begin at the rank of Impius. Venatores serve in their selected field and advance in rank and expertise as rings. Rings of higher ranks or of special expertise are sent to more dangerous operations, but are also being compensated more, both in living conditions and in pay. All members of the Venatores are as such by choice. They come from all walks of life, and they must be well known as devout and religious.
        • Venator Praestans
          One is deployed for each major political Entity. The Venator Praestans is in charge of the day to day operation, deployment, training and composition of the Venatores squads under their jurisdiction.
          This is the highest rank a Venator may achieve, outside of Inquisitorial training.
          • Venatores Impius
            The bulk of the Venatores, specialized in Heretical elimination. Venatores Impius deal with apostates, and stop the spread of heretical knowledge and pratices. The most talented and brave among them infiltrate cults, unearth curroption and destroy dangerous artifacts.
          • Venatores Bestia
            Venatores Bestia are versed in tracking and elimination of aberrations, monstrosities beasts and other menacing creatures. Their exact, and deeper field of expertise varies greatly from ring to ring and on the hunter's experience and performance as an Impius.
          • Venatores Perdita
            Every ring is accompanied by a Venator Perdita, who also fills the role of second in command to the Inquisitor. The Venatores Perdita are experts on Demonology5. As beacons of caution they are tasked with the safeguarding of their ring and trained in advanced group tactics.
            Perditas are trained to hunt shadows and unseen threats such as fiends and demons of any kind. They undergo intense training to harden their perception and strengthen their resolve.
          • Venatores Maleficarum
            Selected from among Wizards who have proven their devotion beyond any doubt, there are only a few hundreds in the entire organization at a time. In addition to training in removing curses and cleansing magical affliction the Venatores Maleficarum are also trained to combat necromancers and their servants.
            This is the highest rank Wizards may achieve in the Inquisition as they are not allowed to become officers. Despite their small numbers they form a uncomfortable, yet necessary connection of the organization to the Conclave of Magi4.
          • Venatores Malitiae
            Only the most hardened of the Venatores may dare hunt the devils and those who deal with them. Only a handful exist at a time, their training and studies leave them incapable of compassion or mercy. They are familiar with various verdicts, judgments and edicts, many of whom are esoteric.
            An Inquisitor must be present when a Malitiae is called to perform of their duty, as sometimes contracts are signed by innocent men and women.

 

 

Public Agenda

The Inquisition's public agenda consists of two stated goals: To uncover, punish and prevent heresy; And to elicit confessions from common folk. However, heresy is a wide term and is up for interpretation and confessions may be, and are, elicited forcefully.   Common subjects labeled as heresy include:

Further Reading:

1 - Assembly of Cardinals
2 - Divine Court
3 - Monthly Mass
4 - Conclave of Magi
5 - Demonologist
Current Date: 2nd of Latsum, 1572

Lux et Justitia
(Light and Justice)

Founding Date
358 1E
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Alternative Names
Ocolus Divina Lege
Formation Type
Venatores
Training Level
Semi-professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Parent Organization
Andorian Church
Location
Old Ammand
Related Traditions
Controlled Territories
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*This world operates under the ITI rules. It means you're free to do whatever, but we also ask that you please read the "agreement" first.   We go out of our way to ensure all artworks have accurate copyright information and credits. If you found an image that has no copyrights details, it was either created by us or was left this way by mistake. If you spot such mistake and have the correct information, or have any other question or requests, please contact Zimo.   ©Some* Rights Reseved 2018-whenever.

This is a work of fiction by Zimo, rttuo and others.   Introduction | Compendium | Codex | ATLAS | DEITIES | CULTURES | PEOPLE | POLITICS | TECHNOMAGIA |
Cover image: Scènes de l'Inquisition by Eugenio Lucas
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Organization
World
Numidius
Category
Executive Branchs in Sub Organizations
Author
rttuo
Publication Date
19 Jul, 2020
Creation Date
30 Jun, 2020
Last Update Date
4 Jul, 2023
Visibility
Public
Views
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