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Contents |
Description
Both beneficial and oppressive to society, the inquisition is a necessary evil. It openly fights ‘religion’ and describes all theological activity as primitive and evil business, as it clouds the intellect. Though in the past, the slightest form of religion was punishable by death, in these enlightened times, things have grown more tolerable. Fines are given for lighter offences like short prayers (such as ‘gods help me’). Prison sentences & rehabilitation are given to people who are caught secretly worshipping idols or other entities and a quick and painless death by guillotine is provided to those who openly preach religion, rather than the excruciating way of burning on the stake.
This policing of atheism however isn’t the inquisitions main activity. It is one of the few large factions that know about the supernatural events and the monsters that inhabit the world. In one way, it tries its very best to protect the innocent from these horrible monsters and creatures while keeping it a secret at the same time. The problem is that they are incredibly zealous at doing so. They make no difference between malevolent monsters of the mythos and the more benevolent mythological creatures. The inquisition believes that none of them have a place in an enlightened world. In many ways, they contradict themselves and what they stand for by keeping people in the dark. The only thing that they is accepted is science and knowledge.
They hunt down cultists like animals, burn mythos tomes, melt down magical artefacts and are usually very quick to execute occultists soon after discovering them. The only type of occult spells and knowledge allowed are those that banish or exorcise and even then, only the most trusted members are allowed to perform these rituals. The most 'devoted' Inquisitioners even get rid of innocent witnesses who have come in contact with such events, either to stop the corruption from spreading, or simply to cover up what it is they do.
History
Occultism in the past isn’t much different then Occultism today. It is still widely unknown, though now it is at least acknowledged by other parties, other than cultists, shamans, druids and other such traditionalists. Several cryptic descriptions in the inquisition’s files have been recorded about a terrible event (or events) in the past, involving such occult practices. Apparently these events were shocking enough that the scholars and scientists of those times decided never to let anything like that ever happen again. The Inquisition was born from the greatest minds of those times, abolishing, hunting down and burning anything that might even hint of occult or religious sources. The Inquisition itself was founded by a man named Bartholomew Sawyer. Surprisingly enough, The Inquisition didn’t become the zealous, witch burning band of psychopaths until after his death, making most historians agree that there was at least one sane Inquisitor.
Recent times
The Inquisition is lead by the Chief Inquisitus, currently a woman called Gerdina Prosser. Even though there are no true ‘ranks’ in The Inquisition, only positions, value is based on knowledge and the most knowledgeable of Inquisitors serve directly underneath her. As with most Inquisitors, she does everything by The Inquisitor’s handbook, showing no emotion or mercy to those who she deems as unfit to live in the enlightened world. Gerdina is not a politician. She truely believes in the goals of The Inquisition.
Relationships with other factions
Though considered one of the most respected organisations on the continent, the relationships with others is fairly mixed as it is usually individuals that resent The Inquisition so much, rather than entire groups. They have a decent reputation with The Watch, solving the occasional supernatural mystery The Watch itself couldn’t handle. It had a similar relationship with The Military Legion in the past, though with the founding of Amherst this bond has severely diminished over recent years. Merchants and travels don’t mind Inquisitioners along, as they help protect the trade and caravans, as well as the commoners who are dead convinced that religion is bad.
The worst relationship, apart from cultists, occultists and their mythos monsters is probably with the Myskatonic University. They have lost many good minds that joined the ranks of the Inquisitioners, only to be corrupted by their propaganda. The Arcanists Society especially, sees most of them as bitter 'enemies'.