Holy Orders of the Emperor's Inquisition
"... the Inquisition merely performs the duty of its office. To further fear them is redundant, to hate them, heretical. Those more sensible will place responsibility with those who forced their hands..."
— Captain Gabriel Angelos of the Blood Ravens Space Marine Chapter after the Inquisition's Exterminatus of Typhon Primaris
The Holy Orders of the Emperor's Inquisition, more commonly known as the Inquisition, are the powerful secret police of the Imperium responsible for guarding the souls of humanity. The purpose of the Inquisition is to identify and destroy the myriad of potential threats to the Imperium and humanity. The organization's members are agents known as Inquisitors.
In the twilight hours prior to His internment within the Golden Throne, while Terra lay besieged by the traitor forces of Gullieman, 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 assault on Gullieman's battle barge, Malcador presented twelve individuals to the Emperor - eight Astartes and four humans - whom he had gathered in response to the Emperor's commands. The Astartes were described as having cast aside their allegiance to their Primarchs and Legions who had sided with Gullieman; Malcador went on to say that they were blessed with paranormal skills which were best suited for combating the horrors that had recently emerged from the warp. Although the identities of the twelve presented to the Emperor were never revealed, it is known that among those individuals recruited by Malcador were Captain Remus Ventanus of Ultramarines, Captain Azkaellon of the Blood Angels, Captain Camba-Diaz of the Imperial Fists Legion and Sister of Silence Amendera Kendel.
It is said that when the Senatorum Imperialis was convened on the first anniversary of the Emperor's Ascension, a grim-faced man joined the council and identified himself as a representative of the Holy Orders of the Emperor's Inquisition. The fact that they called themselves "Orders" plural could be taken to suggest that the early Inquisition was an amalgamation of several organizations.
Inquisitorial Ordos
Ordos are a major operational subsection within the Imperial Inquisition. As the Inquisition possesses neither a formalized hierarchy nor leadership, each Inquisition is free to pursue the mission of humanity's survival in the manner they see most appropriate. Like-minded individuals gather together to investigate areas of mutual interest and concern, as bounded by one of the many Inquisitorial Ordos. Each Ordo comes and goes with the times, for many Inquisitors move freely between them according to their own whims and judgement. Ordos can grow larger in crisis's and then exist only on paper until its field becomes relevant once more. Association with an Ordo is not a matter of absolute allegiance, nor does it preclude an Inquisitor's involvement in matters pertaining to another Ordo.
Ordo Majoris
Currently within the modern Inquisition of M41 there are three Ordos Majoris (Xenos, Malleus, and Hereticus), and an unknown number of Ordos Minoris. These branches are ever-present for their mission is considered never-ending. Each branch specializes in the combat and investigation of specific threats to the Imperial domain. While Inquisitors from any Ordo are trained to deal with all potential dangers, it is the role of the Ordos to produce agents who are particularly adept at understanding and destroying specific abominations. Membership in an Ordo is not mandatory, and there are those Inquisitors who prefer not to join one.
The Ordo Malleus (The Threat Beyond) - Destroys daemonic threats and investigates the nature of the Daemon. The Ordo came into being immediately after the Heresy, and therefore has been a part of the Inquisition from the beginning. Mostly recruit Eldar because of their strong psyker powers. Most famous of their rank is Eldrad Ulthran.
The Ordo Hereticus (The Threat Within) - Investigates and roots out heresy, mutation, and rogue psykers from humanity, and polices the Ecclesiarchy. The Ordo Hereticus was founded following the events of the Age of Apostasy. Mostly recruit human, but there are few Eldars in their ranks.
The Ordo Xenos (The Threat Without) - Investigates and eliminates alien influence and plots against the Imperium. It is not known when the Ordo Xenos was founded, however, it is believed to be of a similar age to the Ordo Malleus. Mostly recruit human who's xenophobia create problems between Eldar and Imperium, their hate thus used for the good of the Imperium.
Ordo Minoris
In addition to the three major Ordos, there is a large but unknown number of Ordos Minoris.
Ordo Aegis - The Ordo Aegis is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded sometime in M40, they oversee the Cadian Gate.
Ordo Astartes - The Ordo Astartes is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded in M32, they oversee the Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. The strength of the Ordo is currently estimated at 50 Inquisitors.
Ordo Barbarus - The Ordo Barbarus is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Consisting of only a little over 10 Inquisitors, they oversee Pre-Industrial Human planets.
Ordo Chronos - This Ordo is believed to have been established to study the temporal anomalies or other such effects that might emerge within the vicinity of the Jericho Reach with a view to controlling or combating them. Inquisitors of the Ordo Chronos were particularly concerned with the effects of time distortions which could lead to a disruption of the proper flow of time due to unintended interventions in the past. Such actions are deemed as interference in the fate of Mankind and against the will of the God-Emperor. Over the course of centuries, the Ordo Chronos expanded their mandate to relate to all forms of temporal phenomena and include other such events that might be a deliberate attempt to interfere with the flow of time. Before the disappearance of all Ordos Chronos members the Deathwatch partook in a joint operation with them.
Ordo Custodum - The Ordo Custodum is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded in M35, it current consists of under 50 Inquisitors. They keep vigilance on Terra, capital of the Imperium.
Ordo Desolatus - he Ordo Desolatus is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. This Ordo is shrouded in mystery, with neither its founding date or purpose known. It currently consists of a single Inquisitor.
Ordo Excorium - The Ordo Excorium is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Consisting of slightly under 100 Inquisitors, the Ordo monitors the practice of Exterminatus.
Ordo Machinum - The Ordo Machinum is an Ordo of the Inquisition. Overseeing the Adeptus Mechanicus, they are primarily concerned with the reintegration of recovered STC's into the Imperium's armies and the rare adaptation of alien technology into the established Mechanicum protocols. They ensure that laxness on the part of the Mechanicus does not permit a flawed design to enter Imperial service and more importantly prevent a greedy Magos from withholding vital designs for himself. Inquisitors of the Ordo Machinum often accompany Mechanicus archaeological teams to distant worlds, monitoring their recovery and analysis of STC's. Thus, they often work in concert with the Ordo Xenos - especially when the world in question has been under alien control or there is any suggestion of non-human origin of the technology the Mechanicus intends to recover.
Ordo Militarum - The Ordo Militarum is an Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded in M35, it monitors the Imperial Guard. The Ordo is large by the standards of minor Inquisition factions, with over 500 Inquisitors currently active.
Ordo Necros - The Ordo Necros is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded in M37 and consisting of just 5 Inquisitors, its purpose is a stop Necron threat. They are guided by Eldar as they are Necron's ancient enemies. The Ordo, it is overseen by the Ordo Vigilus.
Ordo Originatus - The Ordo Originatus is an Ordo of the Inquisition. This Ordo is dedicated to unraveling the mystery of the origins and founding of the Inquisition itself, which are still shrouded in myth and obscurity. They frequently come into conflict with the Ordo Redactus.
Ordo Redactus - The Ordo Redactus is an Ordo of the Inquisition. They seek to deliberately obscure and undermine knowledge of the Inquisition's founding, lest the enemies of Mankind discover some advantage through the information on the Inquisition's beginnings. As a result, they frequently come into conflict with the Ordo Originatus.
Ordo Sanctorum - The Ordo Sanctorum is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded in M36, it oversees the Adeptus Ministorum, better known as the Ecclesiarchy.
Ordo Scriptorum - The Ordo Scriptorum is a smaller Ordo of the Inquisition. Based on Terra itself, it is dedicated to the examination and investigations of the vast stockpile of Imperial records. As the Imperium constantly strains under the weight of its own colossal bureaucracy, important facts and information are often lost through misfiles, time, or simple human error. Pleas for aid from Imperial Governors can go unheeded worlds isolated from outside contact for centuries if these errors and oversights occur. The Ordo Scriptorum can only intercept a handful of these failures, but even once can save billions of lives. The Ordo will also oversee the efficiency of administrative scribes, ensuring they act more efficiently in the future.
Ordo Scriptus - The Ordo Scriptus is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded in M38, it oversees official historical records on Terra. Currently its strength consists of 6 Inquisitors.
Ordo Senatorum - The Ordo Senatorum is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded in M33, its purpose is unknown.
Ordo Sepulturum - Researches current plagues afflicting the Imperium and determines how best to contain, destroy, and cure them. Created to investigate an increase in outbreaks of the Zombie Plague just before the 13th Black Crusade.
Ordo Sicarius - Founded to police the activities of the Officio Assassinorum following the events of the Wars of Vindication, which resulted from the events of Vandire's Reign of Blood.
Ordo Vigilus - The Ordo Vigilus is a minor Ordo of the Inquisition. Founded in M37, it oversees the mysterious Ordo Necros.
Chamber Militant
Although an Inquisitor can employ the services of any branch of the Imperial service, including the military, each major Ordo also maintains a dedicated Chamber Militant representing the most dedicated, experienced, and effective forces that Ordo can call on.
The Ordo Malleus' Chamber Militant is the Gray Knights. Further Information, Classified.
The Ordo Hereticus' Chamber Militant is the Adepts Sororitas, also known as the Sisters of Battle. The Battle Sisters of the Adepta Sororitas are the mainstay of the Adeptus Ministorums armies. Equipped and trained to the highest Imperial standards, the Sisters of Battle specialize in waging Wars of Faith and purging heresy wherever it may be found. Because of this, its duties often overlap with the Ordo Hereticus of the Inquisition and as a result the Sisters of Battle maintain a close alliance with the Witch Hunters.
The Ordo Xenos' Chamber Militant is the Deathwatch. The Deathwatch is a unique and specially trained Space Marine Chapter that dedicates its every hour to Xenos hunting. They are the Chamber Militant of the Ordo Xenos, charged with protecting it in its search of information, containment, and ultimate destruction of all Xeno species.
Organization
As well as the Ordos, there are many types of Inquisitorial groupings that an Inquisitor may belong to, however, as with the Ordos, membership in these is not mandatory.
Conclaves - Aside from their membership of an Ordo, many Inquisitors also serve in a regional grouping generally known as a conclave. These federations of Inquisitors watch over a particular area of Imperial space, although the whole Imperium is by no means covered by conclaves and endless tracts of it are devoid of a permanent Inquisitorial presence. Conclaves can include Inquisitors from all manner of ordos as well as those who belong to no other organizations. The first is Conclaves called by an Inquisitor (or High Conclaves called by an Inquisitor Lord); these are gatherings called to discuss a particular subject. The smallest might number only three or four Inquisitors and a handful of trusted agents. Inquisitorial Conclaves can be split into two rough groups. There are also more permanent regional Conclaves; these are federations of Inquisitors who watch over a particular area or sector of Imperial space. The larger of these regional Conclaves may have enormous resources available for the use of their dozens of Inquisitors, from the starships, to private armies, fortresses and libraries for the use of their members. Not all sectors of Imperial space are covered by a Conclave, and some areas are devoid of a permanent Inquisitorial presence. The head of each regional Conclave is normally an Inquisitor Lord, and is nominally appointed by the High Lords of Terra. There are also Conclaves operating at the Segmentum level, again headed by an Inquisitor Lord.
Cabals - A Cabal is a rare body instituted by a Conclave and dedicated to investigating a particular matter. They form a specialist task-force charged with the prosecution of a particular concern. Generally they gather Inquisitors from varied backgrounds and philosophies, all working together via their differing methods and focused on a single goal. Cabals are despised by many, who see them as secret societies or unnecessary inner factions within a conclave. However, they have been shown to be a highly effective tool: by combining and focusing the activities of varied Inquisitors on a particular scheme, cabals have often achieved noteworthy successes.
Cells - Similar to a Cabal, a Cell is an ad-hoc group of Inquisitors who share a common goal. Often they are factional in nature, or are formed to confront a particular problem. The principle difference between Cabals and Cells is that the latter is entirely informal and are transitive in nature. Often one or more of the Inquisitors in the Cell will work overtly through investigation while the rest proceed through infiltration.
Inquisition Hierarchy
The Inquisition does not have a formal hierarchy, and there is no system of ranks or command such as is found in the Imperial military or the Adeptus Terra. 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 of an older and more experienced peer.
Inquisitorial Representative - One of the High Lords of Terra, the Inquisitorial Representative - sometimes known as the Master of the Inquisition - 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. Also, 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 Imperialis is five standard years, after which they must stand down - though nothing prevents them from eventually serving another five-year term. The title of Inquisitorial Representative itself is fairly meaningless to the Inquisitor who bears it, for, the chances are high that he was simply the closest of the Lords Terran when the council was convened. Indeed, the title is more for the benefit of the Inquisitorial Representative's fellow High Lords; a measure of reassurance that they are dealing with an equal, and an unspoken reminder that the eyes of the Inquisition lie upon even that most august of assemblages. Though the attendance of the Representative is always appreciated, his or her position in the chambers of the Senatorum Imperialis is often empty and their vote conferred by missive – such are the demands of the Inquisition. He or she serves as the voice of the Inquisition on the Senatorum Imperialis. Although the role does not bring any additional authority above that of a standard Inquisitor Lord, it does put the holder in a position of unrivaled power and authority due to the influence he has at the highest levels of Imperial power.
Inquisitor Lords - Despite the lack of formal organization, there is a need for a higher tier of Inquisitors to help maintain the integrity of the organization, and to watch over and guide its members. They are known by various names including Inquisitor Lords, Lord Inquisitors and High Inquisitors. Inquisitor Lord (or one of its variations) is a recognition rather than an absolute rank, and is more a formalization of a position of influence amongst his fellows enjoyed by the Inquisitor rather than an actual promotion. Promotion to the ranks of the Inquisitor Lords is by invitation only; an Inquisitor must be nominated by an existing Lord and have his nomination approved by two others. It is an honor that only extends 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.
Grandmaster - Grandmaster is a title sometimes given to an Inquisitor Lord, who runs a sector or sub-sector Conclave, such as Lord Orsini, Grandmaster of the Ordos Helican.
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." In the Ordos Helican, there are three Masters, one for each of the Ordos Majoris; who as well as overseeing the members of their Ordos also provide counsel to the Grandmaster and are responsible for choosing his successor should he die or retire.
Philosophies of the Inquisition
Many Inquisitors blaze a unique trail through the galaxy, relying on their own judgement and knowledge to prevail. However, it is Mankind's nature to seek consensus -– a common path upon which to proceed – and Inquisitors are no different. At any time, there are scores of different philosophies advocated within the Inquisition, each considered the path of ultimate truth and salvation by their adherents. These are not doctrines, but ideas, tested with every tool at the Inquisitor's disposal. If an Inquisitor adopts one philosophy to the exclusion of all others, it doesn't because its principles fulfill a religious need, but because he or she has come to embrace its tenets as the ultimate truth. Just as the size of an Ordo itself rises and falls, so too does the popularity of each philosophy, with some flaring but briefly and others enduring through the millennia. Though they are often pursued with the tenacity of religious belief, these are theories founded in reason and tested through scientific rigor. Inquisitors are, first and foremost, practical men and women – they do not waste their effort or time on ideas proven to be flights of fancy.
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 organization to combat the efforts of Promeus and Moriana, and it was from this seed that the Philosophies of the Inquisition was formed.
The Inquisition's members broadly adhere to two very different schools of thought about their ultimate purpose and the methods to be used in pursuit of that purpose; that of the Radical and that of the Puritans. To the Radical "the ends justify the means" in every instance, whether through the employ of Exterminatus, Daemonhosts, or alien weaponry. By contrast, the Puritans adhere strictly to official Imperial political and religious doctrine and typically persecute their more unorthodox brethren, when given the chance, as they are most concerned with maintaining the Imperium's status quo, even if this results in simply perpetuating the long period of technological and cultural stagnation that has afflicted Mankind since the end of the Heresy over ten millennia ago. The main tenets of the Inquisition's competing philosophical sects on how best to defend the Imperium, beyond the basic Radical/Puritan divide, can be defined below:
Puritans
Puritans, simply put, are those who refuse to employ the measures of the enemy, such as xenotech or the Warp. Most Inquisitors start out as the Puritans, but a number of them fall into Radicalism (which can be classed as lesser heresy in its most extreme forms). Puritanism can fall among six major philosophies:
Codominance - This philosophy holds that Man and Eldar can only survive in the galaxy through the death of every other intelligent creature. Codominants are arguably the most extreme of the Puritans and tolerate no deviation from the harshest and most conservative interpretations of the Imperial Creed.
Amalathianism: One of the most conservative form of Puritanism in the Inquisition, Amalathians (named after Mount Amalath, where its tenets were first set down at an Inquisitorial conclave) believe that the Emperor has some sort of divine plan for the Imperium, and the Inquisitions purpose is to protect the Imperium as that plan becomes visible. Change is considered the greatest enemy (which may have some sense to it), with the exception that they seek to overcome the factionalism so common within the Adeptus Terra. The irony that the Amalathians are themselves technically a faction is not lost on them. Gregor Eisenhorn was once a staunch Amalathian, but he eventually fell into Radicalism in his later years.
Monodominant: Monodominants are the most hard-line of all the Puritans, believing in the complete destruction of all non-humans except Eldar (including mutants and psykers) and those not willing to swear eternal allegiance to the Emperor. Of course, they understand that this lofty goal will take time and, in the interim, though they might despise them, the Imperium must make use of mutants and psykers for its survival. Monodominants are also well known for their excessive use of force when purging corrupted worlds, even resorting to Exterminatus rather than risk leaving even the barest hint of heresy behind.
Thorianism: The most radical form of Puritanism, Thorians are named after Sebastian Thor, the hero of the Age of Apostasy, and believe that Thor held part of the power of the Emperor within him. The Thorians thus believe that it is possible to reincarnate the Emperor of Mankind into a new body, allowing him to rebuild the Imperium and launch a new Great Crusade. As a result, Thorians closely study the nature of the human consciousness and the Warp, while also keeping a close eye on individuals that show enough power to be potential hosts for the Emperor's soul (such as Living Saints). They have a very turbulent relationship with Eldar and Ecclesiarchy. But reincarnation of emperor will greatly harm the formation of Starchild in warp and does not answer what will happen to an Elder soul after their death, so their influence has drained away. Eldar did everything to destroy them, after all an emperor sitting in golden throne is their only hope for salvation and only way chaos can be stopped in the distant future.
Anomolian Beholders: A conservative branch of Thorianism which takes a more passive approach to the resurrectionist ideology; they are more content with observing humanity for signs of the God-Emperor's return than actively trying to bring him back.
Ardentites: A variation of Thorian belief that claims the power of the Emperor was dispersed throughout humanity as a whole rather than being concentrated in any one individual. Derisively referred to as "miracle chasers" by the rest of the Inquisition for their many failed attempts at proving their beliefs.
Radicals
Radicals are those Inquisitors who believe in fighting fire with fire-specifically, using the weapons of the enemy against the enemy. According to Gideon Ravenor, Radicalism is inevitable, as the more one learns about the nature of the enemy, the more they realize that the enemy has a lot better toys than the Imperium. However, given that most Inquisitors will face Chaos at some point, and given the inherently corrupting nature of the Warp, Radicalism may lead to one hoping to fight the Archenemy before brought into the service of the Chaos Gods. Radicalism can fall into a lot more branches than the Puritans, and the following is merely a list of the most common forms it can take:
Gulliesians: One of the most dangerous forms of radicalism, Gulliesians (named after Gullieman) believe that power the Chaos Gods imbued Gullieman with to fight the Emperor can be used to create a new body for the Emperor. Moriana was once a handmaiden to the Emperor of Mankind and a incredibly powerful psyker with a gift of clairvoyance. She was once one of the few members of the Gulliesians within the nascent Inquisition, a sect which believed that the dark power which had animated Gullieman during the Heresy could be harnessed to resurrect the fallen Emperor. After a while she fell from grace and was banished from the Imperium, it seemed that now Moriana is largely indifferent to the designs of Chaos, and gave deference to no one, but still capable to move by hatred of the Imperium.
Istvaanism: One of the most violent forms of Radicalism, Istvaanians (named for the virus-bombing of Istvaan III, which began the Heresy) believe that conflict is desirable, and mankind only grows in a state of violence (while it is said that "necessity is the mother of invention", the culture in 40k minimizes technological advancements). In practice, this leads to various conflicts that would otherwise remain minor suddenly becoming unmanageable because an Istvaanite was covertly funneling resources to one or both sides.
Recongregationism: Radicals who believe that the Imperium has become stagnant and corrupt, and needs to be rebuilt least its collapse further. Unfortunately for them, they aren't entirely sure about how to do this, or how it should be rebuilt after tearing down the old order. Some of the more extreme Recongregators end up like Lilean Chase, an Inquisitor who fell to Chaos and founded the Cognitae.
Revivificationism: Essentially the radical form of Thorianism, Revivificators believe in studying the effects of death and dying so that they can reverse the process and revive the Emperor of Mankind. Revivificators have a deep interest in studying the Eldar as a result, and have less ties to the Ecclesiarchy.
Promean: Promeus was one of the four original founders of the Inquisition. Along with Moriana, Promeus was insistent that the Emperor could be resurrected into a mortal form and became one of the earliest resurrectionists. However, after Moriana began to look to the Ruinous Powers to achieve their aim, Promeus and his disciples, now known as Promeans, battled Moriana and her forces and banished them to the Eye of Terror. Afterwards, Promeus continued to write extensively on the subject of resurrectionism, which he eventually compiled in the Book of Promeus, which itself was eventually burned by Stalia von Dressen. However Promeus's early beliefs nonetheless had a key influence in the development of the Thorian faction of the Inquisition.
Xanthism: The most overtly and well known form of Radicalism, Xanthians (named after Lord Inquisitor Zaranchek Xanthus, executed for heresy in M.32) believe that using Chaotic artifacts such as possessed swords and Daemonhosts are viable weapons against the Archenemy. They hold that only by controlling the power of Chaos can Chaos be defeated. Eisenhorn eventually followed Xanthism after being forced to use Cherubael to save the lives of his retinue.
Phaenonism: A splinter group of Xanthism, considered extreme even by other Radicals. They're dabbling with tech-heresy alongside the traditional Xanthite methods led them to openly deny the Emperor's divinity and embrace the powers of the Warp, seeking to rebuild the Imperium in their own image. Despite being declared Excommunicate Traitoris, there are still some Phaenonites in the Inquisition, although they have taken great caution to conceal their allegiances from their fellow Inquisitors.
Libricars: An extreme version of Amalthianism that insists that even the smallest deviations from the status quo warrants purging. Unlike the Amalthians, they will do absolutely anything to ensure the status quo. Needless to say, the Recongregators hate them.
Oblationists: Monodominants that insist that the truly righteous (i.e. Themselves) must allow themselves to be damned through the use of the Warp, the Xenos, and the unclean to keep humanity safe. At the same time they believe that anyone else using these things will be hopelessly damned and ought to be purged.
Ocularians: A minor faction obsessed with learning how to predict and divine the future, no matter the cost of doing so.
Antiquarti: A subgroup of Ocularians that seek to predict the future by discovering patterns within events in the past.
Polypsykana: An offshoot of the Xanthites, the Polypsykana is a Radical faction obsessed with the power of psykers. Members believe that the psyker is a natural evolution of man's development into a higher being. After all, the Emperor is the greatest psyker of all, who keeps the Imperium intact through His immeasurable strength of will. The faction believes that this transformation of humanity is inevitable and ultimately Mankind's only salvation. To this end, members work to protect and nurture psykers and increase the role they play within the sector. In addition, they work in secret on psy-tech, psy-breeding and other, more questionable, activities, all intended to spread what they see as the psy-gene to as much of humanity as possible.
Seculos Attendous: As yet, this faction have remained very quiet about its intentions and goals, no doubt to avoid immediate censure and the risk of excommunication. They view the dogma and religious doctrine of the Adeptus Ministorum and the Imperial Creed to be slowly corrupting Mankind and hampering its growth, pointing to the Age of Apostasy and the reign of the tyrant High Lord Goge Vandire in the 36th Millennium as proof of this. They seek to undermine the influence of the Ecclesiarchy and slowly weaken the power of the Imperial Creed over the minds of the Imperium's masses, hoping to restore the more Hardliner orientation of the Imperium that once characterized what was known as the Imperial Cult. For obvious reasons, this sect of the Inquisition is bitterly opposed by the Adeptus Ministorum and its many agents.
Casophilians: Another branch of Thorianism interested in learning how to summon a deceased soul back to the Materium in the hope that doing so could be the first step to resurrecting the Emperor. (In practice, this would probably resemble a form of "reverse daemon summoning".) Relatively conservative by Radical standards, they are one of the few factions that can be considered open to new ideas and are known to work especially well with the Anomolian Beholders.
Xeno Hybris: The Xeno Hybris is a Radical faction that has existed within the Calixis Sector for almost as long as it has been a part of the Imperium. It is speculated that the faction grew out of a gathering of Radical Ordo Xenos Inquisitors and agents drawn to the sector in search of clues to lost alien civilizations. Whatever the case, today the faction works diligently to uncover alien technology and better understand the alien mind. Inquisitors of this faction believe that there is much to learn from the aliens of the galaxy and only by cooperating with the other intelligent starfaring races can the true enemy of all sentient life be defeated. Needless to say, these beliefs often bring them into conflict with Monodominants and their followers, who view any dealing with xenos as an abomination. They try to counter this by commenting on Eldar and human pacts, which Emperor himself forged.
Inquisitorial Relics
Grimoire of True Names - He who knows a Daemon's true name wields a terrible power over the beast, for it is the one verity that a Warp-spawn cannot deny. Accordingly, Grimoires of True Names are highly sought after by Daemon hunters, regardless of whether they intend to obliterate the Daemon, or bend it to their will. Alas, most are copies, with their information incomplete or subtly altered in such a way to put the reader at risk of damnation. Only one, the Malefact Maloreum, contains a complete and unswerving record of all the Dark Gods' daemonic servants. As such, it is highly sought after – and often fought over.
Liber Heresius - First laid down during the Age of Apostasy, this tome has grown to contain the wisdom of thousands of Ordo Hereticus Inquisitors. By properly interrogating its pages, the reader can glean sufficient wisdom to predict and counter the strategies of renegades and traitors before their ruinous schemes come to fruition. Over the course of centuries, the Liber Heresius has become incredibly unwieldy, as each new wielder scribbles his own notes in its broad margins.
The Tome of Vethric - First inscribed by the famed Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Macavius Vethric, this book has ever since served as record of alien perfidy and nuance. In the millennia since Vethric's death, the tome's contents have been annotated and expanded, to the point that it now stands as the Imperium's most complete treatise on Xenos strategy, and contain a wealth of countermeasures for even the most innocuous of alien ploys. The only challenge lies in deciphering Vethric's almost illegible scrawl...