The Vehm

During the age when the Kaisers were at the height of their power, the struggle between between Greif and Einhorn dynasties nearly tore the realm apart, but after the decisive defeat of the Einhorn contender, Duke Leonhardt the Wild, the lands formerly under his control became increasingly unruly. To enforce order, Kaiser Ottfried Redmane created a tribunal called the Holy Vehm, which would answer to him alone, and would prosecute justice when the local magnates would not do their duty. The precedents for the Vehmic court (Vehmgericht) go back to ancient heathendom, when all free Tungri had the right to sit in judgment over their fellows. Though technically, this right was now codified in law, when the Vehmgericht became an imperial institution, the top officials were members of the nobility or Church prelates, while the rank-and-file members constituted a network of informants who would summon the Vehmgericht either in particularly outstanding cases, or when the domains became so lawless that local justice failed to function. The meaning of the term Vehm is unclear - it seems to refer to punishment or retribution for particularly noxious acts (though some also claim that it derives from a Paynim term meaning 'secret wisdom', since the founders of the institution had all participated in the Kreuzzüge). The "punishment" refers to the fact that the Holy Vehm presides only over capital cases, and a special focus on cases of heresy and witchcraft. The code also stipulated that the courts had no power over members of the nobility and the clergy, but in practice, this is no longer the case. In fact, although the Vehmgerichte technically act in the name of the Kaiser, there have been multiple instances of bringing charges against sitting emperors. The fact that in many cases, the Vehm seems to be answerable to no one is one of the main reasons it has become so feared.
The Vehm is a holy order that vows to uphold the law and the Ecumenical Faith. Its membership is technically secret, and requiring a secret initiation in order to give the enforcers every advantage against wrongdoers and local authorities that may oppose the administration of justice. Especially important is the protection of the names of the informants and summoners, in order to protect them from reprisals. In practice, the names of high Vehmic officials are often known, but revealing the name of any member, the initiation rituals, or the details of any Vehmgericht case, even to one's own family, is considered a capital crime, and offenders are hounded down mercilessly. The same applies to any unqualified participant in any proceeding. Typically, the proceedings (called Stillgericht - 'silent court') take place on a hilltop outside a settlement, traditionally between two linden trees (which serve as the order's symbol). A stone table, upon which a noose and a sword are laid indicates that the Vehm is in session. If the accused answers the summons and is convicted, they are hung from one of the trees, and a dagger engraved with the letters S.S.G.G. (standing for Stein, Strick, Gras, Grün - 'stone, rope, grass, green') is left behind, to indicate that the death is not a murder, but an execution sanctioned by the Vehm. The accused may call exonerating witnesses, but the number of witnesses required for acquittal can be as high as 21. In the case of particularly egregious crimes, such as witchcraft or devil worship, the proceedings are said to take place in a secret cave or crypt, and there are rumors, which cannot be proven, that torture is used to extract information and confession. Given the recent rise in unholy activities, Stillgerichte have become increasingly common sights. In a few cases, especially when the accused is a person of high standing, the case can be settled by a trial by combat. This function is specifically carried out by the Justiziar.
Most of the members of the Holy Vehm, even including a good number of the judges (called Freischöffen), are not paladins. From among their number, a chair (Stuhlherr), who presides over the proceedings, is chosen. Each Vehm jurisdiction has a presiding officer, called an Oberstuhlherr, and these are typically paladins. The Justiziar are typically, though not exclusively, chosen from noble families that bear the title of Freigraf (free count). On some occasions requiring a particularly powerful or authoritative judge, Stuhlherren from distant domains are summoned. They show up masked or helmeted - a sight that strikes terror in the hearts of the local population. In most circumstances, the executioners (Frohnboten) are low-level members of the Vehm, but in high profile cases, they are Justiziar. The Justiziar, more than any other members of the Vehm, know the elaborate system of secret signs and passwords by which communication within the order is conducted. Like the Grail Knights, Justiziar may be stripped of their powers for violating their Oath, but violating oaths of secrecy brings a death sentence.