Sworn to bring Ressik's justice down on witches, warlocks, and other evil magic users, Inquisitors learn how to see through deception and render themselves impervious to destructive magic. They share Ressik’s dogma of law and order. Their order is headquartered in the city of Mavredor in Sardia.

History

Ressik ascended to immortality early in the dark age of the Vedrischtal, empowered by his burning conviction that the selfishness and chaos created by dark mages would be the doom of the small man, the great and powerful, and all of Orn at large. Mankind, raised on the tales of magical wounds from the age of wonders, the age of ascension, and the indignities of poverty the arcane never seemed to suffer, rose up in a populist movement in support of the Supreme Lawgiver, echoing the battle cry of “Law and Order!” to which all should be held to account, mages especially (the common man perceived no difference between necromancy, diablerie, esprice, and wizardry).

Over the course of the Vedrischtal, Ressik’s followers heeded his law and gathered together creating stability and order where formerly where want and chaos. The formation of the Theocracy and the Inquisitors cannot be untwined as they grew from the same movement and were conceived in the same rooms. It is only time that has differentiated their function and organization. Much of the order’s early history is lost in the fog of war as the Theocracy began to take hold in Mavredor and expand to include all of what is current-day Sardia.

It became apparent early on that a class of intellectuals was needed to understand, refine, and enforce that Law to bring about perfect order. At the turn of the age, before full Twilight, the Inquisitors first divided into two sects: the Inquisition and the elite who would become the Advocati.

In the wake of the Shattering, it was determined that the Order’s efforts to expunge all dark magic were woefully lacking or such a catastrophe could not have occurred. This led to the formation of the specialized Venator sect, tasked solely with pursuing Order by eliminating the chaotic elements of the world.     

During what is now coined as the Humilitas Campaign, the libertines of Jastrey infiltrated Sardia, wielding dark magic, enabling the heretics of the Ashfallen Rebellion, and fomenting doubt amongst the Inquisitors in Mavredor. This deviousness resulted in a wave of apostasy that spawned the new paladin order under Thareon: the Truthguard.

Beliefs

Just laws and disciplined order are the best defense against the ills of chaos. No one is above the law. All people are born equal and increase in station should come by the work of one’s hand in service to their family, city, or nation. Dark mages seek power for their own sakes and tilt the world toward chaos and destruction and must be expunged.

The Inquisitor sharpens their mind  to interpret the law, disciplines their body to enforce it, trains their senses to discover disorder, and seeks wisdom to render sound judgement.

Colors, Emblems, and Sects

The colors and emblems of the Inquisitors vary by sect. However, when the order assembles for major joint initiatives, they all don the red, white, and gold of Ressik. These colors also create solidarity with the longstanding orders of the Crystal Fists and Lightbringers for cross-order operations. However, each sect of the Inquisitors still bears its own emblem in battle as all represent the Supreme Lawgiver’s order.

The Inquisition:

Given the similarity of the names, many abroad consider the Inquisitors and the Inquisition to be synonymous. The reasons for this  misunderstanding are twofold. First, this sect is the largest of the order. Secondly, they serve as the elite military arm of the Theocracy of Ressik which means they have been featured prominently in the Theocracy’s expansion efforts.

Colors & Emblem: 

The Scales & Laurel are the emblems of the Inquisition: a golden scale encircled by a golden laurel wreath represent the indisputable victory that the law brings. Paladins of the Inquisition wear the red and white of Ressik always to make them more easily identifiable as the military arm of the Theocracy.

The Venators:

Paladins of this sect are solitary hunters, focused on finding and executing witches, warlocks, and mages of ill-intent; however, their tendency to see all mages as ill-intending has resulted in their reputation as cold-hearted killers. They are easily differentiated from other Inquisitors by their dark regalia and wide-brimmed capotains.

Colors & Emblem:

The Venators have adopted the Ebony Gavel as their emblem: dark mages have knowingly signed their own death warrant by their dark deeds. It is the responsibility of the Venator to deliver it. Therefore, they wear the executioner’s black to play their role and catch their quarry unawares.

The Advocati: 

Paladins of the Advocati are legal specialists who undergo years of academic training alongside clerics of Ressik. This education includes memorization of several categories of legal code, training in legal philosophy, and, of course, martial training. Only upon finishing this training are squires promoted to the rank of Paladin. Depending on the credentials completed the Advocati are given a mandate to serve as lawyers or judges. Some are stationed with merchants or politicians of influence to aid them in remaining within the law. Some are given a circuit in rural areas where not every town can afford to maintain a judicial court; these Advocati serve as judge, jury, and executioner in their jurisdiction. Others are stationed in the metropolitan cities to serve as legal consultants. 

Emblem  

The Ivory Tome is the emblem of the Advocati: by study and adherence to the book of the law can one remain pure or become pure once more. While Advocati revere the books of the law, they are also never without their own tome of record to document judgements rendered, amendments not yet codified in the order’s libraries, and meditations on any enhancements to propose. 

Colors 

While the Advocati have their white and red to wear when occasion demands, they are the most diversely arrayed of the Order. They will often clothe themselves in the color corresponding to their highest legal certifications as both a matter of pride and a matter of reassurance to those whom they serve. All paladins of the Advocati sect wear a gold chain bearing their gems of certification.

• First Rank: Red/Garnet- Basic Legal Interpretation and Enforcement: This is the minimum certification needed to achieve promotion from squire to paladin of the Advocati sect. It certifies that the individual is capable of reading and understanding complex legal codes and documents that are likely to be encountered in rural Sardia, that they know how to legally apprehend and process suspected criminals, and the basics of judicial court procedure.
• Second Rank: Orange/Topaz- Localized Municipal Law: This certification is earned by squiring either with a circuit or stationed Advocati. During that time, the squire must memorize every jot and title of the law for that city or jurisdiction and aid in the clerical and bureaucratic work of their supervising Advocati to satisfaction, demonstrating the ability to quickly learn and adapt to the differentiation of local law.
• Optional Rank: Yellow/Heliodor- Corporate and Mercantile Law: An Advocati Inquisitor of this rank has been trained in general economic theory and business practice. They are certified to have proficient knowledge in mercantile law under the Theocracy, and have demonstrated the aptitude to undertake the study of mercantile law abroad.
• Optional Rank: Green/Emerald- Natural Law: To obtain the certification for Natural Law, the squire must undergo several years of study with an Advocati who has obtained this rank. This includes field work with farmers, foresters, fishers, and long-haul caravaners approved by the order to learn about the health of the land, air, water, and animals of Sardia in addition to the study of current environmental law within the Theocracy. This certifies that the Advocati has the aptitude to study terrains and environmental law abroad.
• Optional Rank: Blue/Sapphire- Moral Law: Those who achieve this rank are also eligible to achieve the title Arbiter. One who has a sapphire certification has studied philosophy for the duration of their squireship and have satisfactorily completed three public discourses with three different   panels of Advocati Arbiters.
• Capstone Rank: White/Diamond- Theocratic Law: This is rank that can only be earned by a full paladin who has achieved all other certifications. It is granted by the Theocracy itself for a significant task of service or to one who retires with a spotless record.

The Appellate

A curious counter-sect, the Appellate are Inquisitors who have broken with the Theocracy yet maintain their mantle. These paladins derive from all other sects and have organized under the leadership of Ser Zahel the Witness. While their motivations vary, most protest the treatment of demi-humans under the Theocracy. While the center of their operations is unknown, much of their operation is still within Sardia. They seek to return to the most foundational teachings of Ressik– that law and order are best for the common good– and work to reconcile this with the paladin’s calling to honor, justice, mercy, and sacrifice.

Colors and Emblem:

The sect is new and comprises Inquisitors from various backgrounds. Most continue in the regalia of their sect of origin, though they all carry now on their person either a tassel of green or a pendant in the form of a green eye. The green for new beginnings and an eye to represent the search for balance, wise compromise, and deceit from any side: the side of evil, the side called good, or even inside oneself.    

Organization

The hierarchy of the Inquisitors is complex, but here is offered a brief overview. 

The Supreme Lawgiver is the head of the Theocracy led by the High Lawgivers, under which the Inquisitors operate (save the Appellate). The High Inquisitor is chosen by the heads of Theocracy every five years, though the current High Inquisitor has remained in this position for a quarter of a century. The High Inquisitor sits in Mavredor to oversee the Inquisition, Venators, and Advocati. He is responsible for approving any inter-sect or inter-order operations or initiatives and mediating any conflicts between the sects not clearly addressed in existing law or regulation.

Each of the sects has its own hierarchy beneath the office of the High Inquisitor. The Inquisition follows a traditional military-style structure. The Venators are currently led by the Triad, all other Venators beneath them are equal in status in regards to law and regulation though deference varies according to seniority and efficacy. 

The Advocati have the most complex organization as their squiring process is the most varied, with some squires opting to study longer in order to advance with more certifications. The hierarchy within the confines of their academy in Kaut is clear: the Provost is the highest ranking Advocati, followed by the Certification Chairs, followed by the Instructing Paladins, followed by resident Paladins, and, lastly, squires by merit. Advocati meeting outside Kaut defer first to the Paladin who has jurisdiction; after this, the hierarchy of Advocati falls first in the quantity of certifications and then by highest rank of certification.

The protocol interactions between sects is far too complex to detail here as there are few equivalent ranks between them and regulations vary by location, occasion, and season.

There is currently no universal protocol for interaction with the Appellate as each sect has reacted to their deviation with differing levels of hostility. However, their mantles remain, so they are retained by the order for the time being. Upon meeting an Appellate originating from another sect, most Inquisitors will choose to abstain from interaction. A Venator meeting with an Appellate from her own sect may choose to collaborate on missions of common interest. Former Advocati may find themselves without a jurisdiction, but where that jurisdiction remains, their rulings are respected and upheld, only eligible for appeal by an Arbiter. Any Appellate formerly of the Inquisition is either still subject to the orders of his superiors, must have a transfer or oversight granted, or his mantle is lost and he must pay penance to rejoin the order under the leadership of Ser Zahel the Witness.

Locations of Note

• Mavredor: The crown jewel of Sardia is both the seat of Theocracy and home to the Supreme Courts: The Court of the Word, a temple to Ressik where the faithful gather to hear the words of the law and hope to hear the words of the Supreme Lawgiver with their own two ears; The Court of Rule, where the Theocracy conducts its work of ruling and elaborating upon the law to maintain their empire in the name of the Supreme Lawgiver; the Courts of Law, where the most troubling of legal battles are waged; and the Citadel of Justice, where the Inquisition houses and trains its paladins and hosts esteemed guests of other sects.
• Thrist: Nestled into a valley on the edge of the Monstromontes Range is the scenic logging town of Thrist, hidden in the shadow of the woods and the mountains until well past midday. In this quiet, pale-lit town resides the hall of the Venators: Iudicum Domus, the Judgement House. Here, the mage hunters train in discretion and alchemy, putting to use all the natural toxins that thrive in the dark and foggy woodlands on the Monstromontes, preparing to shame the arcane with the potency of the mundane. 
• Kaut: If Mavredor is the crown jewel of Sardia, Kaut is the signet ring of the Theocracy. Resting on the bank of the Tarda river, a half-day’s ride from the Resden River, and as the terminus for the old King’s Road, Kaut is Sardia’s most active hub of domestic trade. It is a model of the prosperity that can flourish under the stern rule of law, both economically and intellectually. This is the home of the Lextome Academy of Inquiry, headquarters of the Advocati. The city is one half academy and one half marketplace, with citizens sleeping over their shops and squires sleeping on their books, dreaming of the day they become paladins.

Relations

Mortal Relations

• The Theocracy of Ressik: The Inquisitors are subordinate to the Theocracy of Ressik and are regularly activated for the ends of the empire.
• Dragon’s Crest: The Inquisitors maintain a relationship with Dragon’s Crest in spite of their deeply magical way of life. High-ranking Advocati are sometimes stationed there to aid in the city’s legal matters as trained, to learn from their successes in regulating magic and class resentment, and to keep an eye out for potential intervention from the Council.
• The Crystal Fists: The Inquisitors maintain a tenuous relationship with the Crystal Fists. While many of that order are demi-humans, they share the common goal of fighting those who practice the dark art of diablerie. Further, they seek to maintain relationships with the human royal family of Huel Vor, as they reign over one of the few predominantly human kingdoms.
• The Lightbringers: The Inquisitors maintain a tenuous relationship with the Lightbringers as they share the common goal of fighting those who practice the dark art of necromancy.
• Vampire Nobles of Tarkalsys: The Nobles of the Barren Throne and the Inquisitors are mortal enemies. The Inquisitors seek to bring the light of law and order to the twilight lands that are stained with the blood of the Final Death and to expunge the evils of vampirism and lycanthropy from Orn. The Vampire Nobles rather like things as they are.
• Sons of Secronus: These warlocks are a scourge upon the Theocracy and her lands. They plague the Inquisitors with all manner of evil subversions in their own jurisdictions and abroad. While all Inquisitors would delight in bringing a Son to justice, it is the task of the Venator to seek these snakes where they hid in their secret nests.
• The Aurum Eye: These diablerists, in service to Fiammafede, seek to bring evil necromancers to the final judgement. While the official stance of the Theocracy is to deliver the justice due all diablerists, the discerning Venator may allow them to complete their task before delivering that justice.

Immortal Relations

• Ressik: The Supreme Lawgiver is the patron of the order; it is his ideals and dogma to which they adhere.
• Lemesin: Inquisitors pay respect to Lemesin as another ascendent human and aid his paladin order in their quest to stamp out the dark art of diablerie.
• Secronus: Their hatred for the ascended warlock runs deep, both as a dogma and as an ever-present thorn in their side.
• Thareon: While they initially showed begrudging respect to the ascended empyrean for his mortal life as a paladin and his domain of truth, the schism created in the forming of the Truth Guard has formally turned the order against him.
• Aethos: In his mortal tenure, the aetherborn paladin, First of Thareon, was personally responsible for the formation of the truth guard. As an immortal of magic, there is nothing to redeem them in the eyes of the Inquisitors.
• The Foresynteril: The Inquisitors are dogmatically opposed to all immortals of magic.
• Hexadus: While individuals may find the servants of Hexadus distasteful, the formal stance of the order is respectful non-intervention in respect to her sternly lawful stances.

Notable Members

Dame Ewla the Unwavering- Ewla Kline  was a low-born wife and mother before her husband and two of her children fell prey to a fiendish incursion summoned by the warlock Hester the Scarlet. She took her remaining son and fled to another nearby village where she met the followers of Ressik and joined his good cause to bring law and order to the Monstormontes Range. With her bow and her conviction, she returned a hundred fiends to the Pit and sent more than a dozen warlocks to their judgment to become Dame Ewla the Unwavering, the First High Inquisitor.

High Inquisitor Anselm the Enduring- Ser Anselm rose to prominence as a member of the Inquisition at a very young age and, at that point, was the youngest High Inquisitor in history. Though the Theocracy appoints a High Inquisitor every five years, there is no term limit. He is the longest-sitting High Inquisitor in history in spite of what some might assume was poor leadership during the Humilitas Campaign. He has received high praise for the decrease in deportation of demi-humans as Sardia has now reached a near completely human populace.