Inquisitors

The Inquisitors represent the elite investigative and enforcement arm of the Lawwatch, serving as the feared superiors who maintain order across the Omnium Theocracy. These formidable agents are granted extraordinary powers and authority by Uzhyr himself to root out threats to the divine order of the million-galaxy plateau.

An Inquisitor leads a patrol through the streets of Hebhastun, accompanied by a cadre of Interrogators

Organization and Authority

Inquisitors operate with considerable autonomy within the Lawwatch hierarchy, answering primarily to Justiciars and ultimately to the Archwarden of the Law. Their authority supersedes local law enforcement and they may commandeer resources as needed during investigations. Each Inquisitor typically commands a dedicated team of Interrogators and Watchers who assist in their operations and investigations.

The selection process for Inquisitors is incredibly rigorous, drawing only from the most capable and proven Interrogators who have demonstrated both investigative prowess and unwavering loyalty to the Theocracy. Candidates must pass through the grueling trials of the Chamber of Scrutiny, where their minds and souls are tested for any hint of corruption or weakness that could make them susceptible to the influence of aberrations or the Dark Pantheon.

Methods and Equipment

Inquisitors utilize a wide array of specialized equipment and weapons in their duties. Their distinctive armor incorporates advanced Elysian technology, including integrated lumigraphic displays for real-time data analysis and communication. Most Inquisitors carry an arsenal of shard weapons and plasmic weapons, though their most feared tool is the Crown of Veracity, a psionic device that allows them to pierce through deception and extract truth from suspects.

The methods employed by Inquisitors are often harsh but considered necessary given the existential threats facing the Theocracy. They are authorized to use whatever means required to complete their investigations, though they must still operate within certain boundaries established by the Covenant of Sanctuary. This sometimes creates tension between an Inquisitor's mandate to protect the Theocracy and the need to respect the rights granted to its citizens.

Role During the War for Eternity

Since the outbreak of The War for Eternity, Inquisitors have taken on an even more crucial role in defending the Theocracy. They work closely with both the Messianic Legions and the Theocratic Navy to coordinate defensive efforts and root out infiltrators from the Stygian Legions. Their ability to detect corruption and resistance to psychic influence makes them particularly effective against the subtle threats posed by servants of Ytdarr and other deceptive forces.

The Inquisitors maintain a special division known as the Nemither Hunters, who specialize in tracking and eliminating aberrations that manage to slip through blightzones into realspace. These specialized agents undergo additional conditioning to resist the madness-inducing effects of encountering such entities, though even they must operate in teams to maintain their sanity during prolonged exposure.

Cultural Impact

The mere presence of an Inquisitor is enough to instill both fear and respect among the Theocracy's population. Their arrival in a district often signals serious trouble, leading to the common phrase "When the Inquisitor walks, truth trembles." Despite their fearsome reputation, most citizens recognize them as a necessary force for maintaining order and protecting against existential threats.

Some Inquisitors have become legendary figures within the Theocracy, such as Inquisitor Vex'thul, who single-handedly uncovered and eliminated a cell of Deceivers that had infiltrated the highest levels of governance in three different districts. Their stories are often shared as cautionary tales about the price of betrayal and the inevitability of justice within Uzhyr's realm.

Notable Operations

One of the most significant operations conducted by the Inquisitors was the Purge of the Shifting Shadows, where they worked alongside the Cyber Paladins to eliminate a massive network of infiltrators who had been corrupted by the influence of the Dark Pantheon. The operation demonstrated both their effectiveness and their sometimes controversial methods, as entire sections of districts had to be quarantined and thoroughly investigated.

The Inquisitors also played a crucial role during the Razing of the Athenaeum, where they helped coordinate evacuation efforts and worked to preserve what knowledge they could from the destruction wrought by the Bibliocast Scribes. Their efforts to protect the Hyurg and their invaluable historical records demonstrated that Inquisitors serve not just as enforcers, but as preservers of the Theocracy's civilization.

See Also

• Lawwatch
• Archwarden of the Law
• The War for Eternity
• Chamber of Scrutiny
• Crown of Veracity

References

1. The Covenant of Sanctuary, Article III: Enforcement Protocols
2. The Urtext of Ecclesiology, Chapter VII: Guardians of Order
3. Archives of the High Tribunal, Inquisitorial Codex
4. Entelius the Disgraced, Chronicles of the War, Volume IV