Issued and averred by the office of the

GRAND INQUISITOR

However, what this office has uncovered in that tower, demands the attention of every loyal subject of the Empire.

Ark, the individual formerly recorded as Yera, the Architect, and Norigami, is not merely a mage. 

Examination of the recovered chassis established her nature. She is a machine spirit: a descendant soul severed from its mortal body and bound into an automaton frame purpose-built for spellcasting, its interior laden with enchantment and glyphs carved into the cogwork throughout. Embedded within were self-illuminating crystals of unidentified composition. Their purpose remains under investigation.

Most functioning automata within the realm are known to this office by the ‘APA line’ or accounted for by their makers in Kurai-Kuni. Any that are not are to be regarded as suspect. Visual identification alone is insufficient: cloth, finery, and illusion magic can obscure an automaton chassis from casual inspection. Aurum applied to the skin will not. Contact with the standard test will identify metal where flesh is claimed. Inquisitorial agents are authorized to conduct this examination on any automaton of unverified origin without prior warrant.

But this was the lesser discovery. We have been informed of something far more terrifying.

Ark is a host. A host of the Parasite known to us as the Nyxium Infection. It is not native to this plane of existence. It has consumed another plane entirely, morphing whatever inhabitants remained into something of pure terror, and it has attempted to breach ours once before. Those who stood in Veilward's tower did not serve a rogue mage with a grudge against the crown. They served a catalyst for something that has already ended a world, and now seeks ours.

Enemies of the Empire answer to Imperial justice. Those who consort with the Nyxium Infection are enemies of Creation itself. This office will treat them accordingly, and expects the realm to do the same.

Machine spirits do not die as men do. The soul does not perish with the body — it migrates. Ark has in all probability secured a new vessel. This office assesses two possibilities:

✢ She has occupied a prepared automaton chassis, built and stored in advance of her capture. Such bodies are inert without a soul to inhabit them and must be kept somewhere.They can be found. They can be destroyed. Without spare chassis, her soul has nowhere to flee, and death becomes permanent. 

✢ Or, she has resorted to Tawkins craft, transferring her soul into a flesh-clone of false make. 

Both have limits. Both can be uncovered through a standard Darkspawn test.

If you encounter an automaton or mage that you cannot account for, report them to this office. Do not engage. Do not warn them.

The Parasite has one world. It will not have this one.

AVE IMPERIUM!

His Excellency, Simon of Vîlachia, by the Grace of GOD, 

Imperial Grand Inquisitor, and Knight of Valmont.

Issued and averred by the office of the

GRAND INQUISITOR

ON THE MATTER OF THE GRAND INQUISITORSHIP

With the victory of the Empire now secured and the enemies of God's creation laid low by the arms of the faithful, this office turns to the matter of its own continuity.

By the service of the faithful, THE RIGHT HONORABLE, Antonius of the House Helane, Count of Valmont, has served this office with uncommon distinction. His name is written in the annals of the Imperium not merely as an Inquisitor, but as a son of the Empire in full, a man whose deeds in war and in judgment have secured the realm against threats both mortal and dark.

The new lands and vassals of House Helane require a lord present in body as well as title, and the Count of Valmont has elected to honor that obligation. This office records his resignation with the full gratitude of the Holy Imperium.

By the authority of His Imperial Majesty and the offices of the Holy Imperium, Simon of Vîlachia (@MRCHENN) is henceforth elevated to the station of Grand Inquisitor. He has borne witness to the worst this realm has produced and has not broken from it. The office passes to capable hands.

All agents, informants, and operatives currently conducting investigations on behalf of this office are to report the full status of their assignments to the new Grand Inquisitor without delay. Active cases are to be considered ongoing. No investigation is suspended by virtue of this transition. Those with outstanding correspondence directed to the former Grand Inquisitor are to redirect it to the new office at once.

The office of the Grand Inquisitor passes, but its mandate does not. The Abyss does not sleep. The enemies of God and the Imperium do not lay down their works.

AVE IMPERIUM!

H V M A N I T A S    I N V I C T A

“Für Gott und Kaiser,”

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Hadrian I of the House Horen, by the Grace of GOD, 

Emperor of Man, Holy Imperator, King of Seventis, Salvus, Renatus & Oren, 

Duke of Middelan, Helena, Lorraine, Sunholdt, and Reutov, Baron of Pestilles,

Protector of Grense, Protector of the Heartlanders, Patriarch of House Horen & the Tiberian Dynasty, 

Captain-General of the Church, Defender of the Faith.

ALEA IACTA EST

P E R  F I D E M  I M P E R I I

THE RIGHT HONORABLE, Antonius Lucien of the House Helane, by the Grace of GOD, 

Count of Valmont, Knight Captain of the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon, Patriarch of House Helane, Lord Commander of the Blackwyrm Company.

Issued and averred by the office of the

LORD JUSTICIAR

THE INQUISITION

The Imperial Office of the Inquisition is a pivotal institution within the overarching bureaucratic structure of the Empire, investigating esoteric phenomena and the matter of the Anathema. It serves as a subdivision of the Judiciary maintained by the Lord Justiciar, the highest judicial officer in the Empire, to maintain order and gather intelligence. However, the office operates under a complex and layered system of governance that grants it both a degree of autonomy paired with inherent subordination to the will of the Emperor and his Privy Council.

HIERARCHY

While the High Inquisitor is entrusted with the authority to oversee the vast activities of the Imperial Inquisition, they are not a seated member of the Privy Council. Their role is an intermediary one: serving as liaison between the Lord Justiciar and the agents of the Inquisition, the Inquisitors themselves. As the de facto head of the Inquisition, the High Inquisitor wields immense influence over the investigation and prosecution of heresy, treason, corruption, and any other threat to the country, foreign or domestic. 

The High Inquisitor is required to be a figure who is loyal solely to the Empire and the Privy Council. As the Lord Justiciar presently divests the authority to persecute Maleficarum to the Inquisition, it is the Imperial Inquisition which is responsible for uprooting sedition, slaying Maleficar, and maintaining internal investigations which ensure that there are no Maleficar within the Empire. 

The Inquisition is specifically geared towards assessing threats pertaining to Maleficarum. As a result, they are not responsible for law enforcement within the city bounds, outside of matters which pertain to sedition and Maleficar. In the prosecution of such crimes, the Inquisitors work in tandem with the Dragon Knights while dealing with sensitive crimes. For instance, if a nobleman is found to be coordinating with Maleficar, the High Inquisitor will bring that knowledge to the Royal Family.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS

The role of the Imperial Inquisition is not to enforce the laws of the land; they do not assist in the work of the guardsmen, who ensure the Lex Tiberi is imposed. However, the role of the Imperial Inquisition is to work as a subsidiary office under the Justiciary; in particular, to deal with the new uprising of Maleficar concurrently appearing within the Empire itself, and to enforce a specific part of the Lex Tiberi–on magic, on race, and on the devilkind. 

In most cases, the Imperial Inquisition will work strongly alongside the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon, which will provide their martial strength to aid in the detaining of demonspawns. They will also seek the aid of the Imperial Guard should the Inquisition require the strength, but this will always be averred by an Officer. 

All dealings related to the Maleficar are led supremely by the Inquisition and the Chapter of Heroes, and so all guardsmen are expected to listen to the lawful orders of an Inquisitor should they seek the aid of a guard in detaining: a Maleficar, or those who abet and aid a Maleficar.

Notes: Whereas the Imperial Guard enforces a majority of the Lex Tiberi, and the Justiciary and Quaestor investigate all crimes related to the nobility, the Inquisition enforces and investigates all crimes related to the Maleficar. An imperial guard is still able to kill an open and dangerous Maleficar without the need of an Inquisitor, but the knowledge and skill of an Inquisitor means a guard should heed them. Golden dragon knights, those under the Chapter of Heroes within the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon, will assist the Inquisitors in their duty alongside the guard. A golden dragon knight deals beyond simple Maleficars which distinguishes their role from the Inquisitor, as they also deal with: dragonkin, monsters, and other non-apostate, daemon, or necroloyte beasts that harm the Empire.

MALEFICAR

Maleficar or Maleficarum are persons who practice heretical forms of magic. Practitioners of Maleficarum are designated into three classes: necrolytes, apostates, and daemons. Necrolytes refer to creatures of necrotic or ectoplasmic form, whereas apostates are sorcerers capable of manipulating life-force, ectoplasm, or practicing demonology. Daemons are beings, such as Inferi or Fiend who claim descent from a daemonic master such as Iblees. A cursed child is also classified as a Maleficar if not provided the imperial grant to live.

♞ Imperial Inquisitor | Uniform

An inquisitor can be identified by their distinguished golden mask, the cross on their uniform, and the hood they adorn. To aid in the infiltration of Maleficar groups, an inquisitor is unlikely to remove their face-mask or robe, which they have the imperial grant to adorn. An inquisitor may not answer any questions or speak to help veil their identity. 

Notes: If any imperial guardsmen notice an inquisitor and feel that they are overstepping their authority, please report this to the Lord Justiciar, and it will be handled internally. If an Inquisitor requests the aid of a guard to remove or detain a Maleficar or those aiding and abetting a Maleficar, or suspected of doing so, you are required to assist. This also applies to The Cursed Child.

Contact @Coronate and @rigorousfor more information or interest.

AVE IMPERIUM!

H V M A N I T A S    I N V I C T A

“Für Gott und Kaiser,”

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Tiberias I of the House Horen, by the Grace of GOD, 

Emperor of Man, Holy Imperator, King of Burgundy, Seventis, Salvus, Renatus & Oren, 

Duke of Middelan, Helena, Lorraine, Sunholdt and Reutov, Protector of Grense, Protector of the Heartlanders, Patriarch of House Horen & the Tiberian Dynasty, 

Captain-General of the Church, Defender of the Faith.

BVRGVNDIA IMPERIVM

HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, Hadrian Tiberias of the House Horen, Crown Prince of the Empire,

Prince of Burgundy, Lord Justiciar of the Imperial Privy, Duke of Grense.

 ALEA IACTA EST