Warhammer 40000: Ordo Hereticus

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The Ordo Hereticus is a formation to control the Ecclesiarchy, identify traitors, mutants and heretics in the Imperium. Focus is on unauthorized psykers, twisted tech-adepts, and apostates within the Ministorum. Methods akin to the medieval Inquisition: witch hunts, executions and burning at the stake.

Functions

The Emperor's influence has waned since the Horus Heresy. External enemies in the form of xenos, heretics, legions of traitors and the Gods of Chaos have not gone away. They were joined by internal ones: bureaucrats, tyrannical rulers, secret sects and psykers.

A galactic state raised on the Imperial Truth is faced with a controversial phenomenon - the cult of the God-Emperor.

Inquisitors from the Ordo Hereticus hunt down apostates in the highest circles to prevent a repeat of the incident with Lord Vandire (an example of the concentration of power in the hands of a tyrant that threatened the integrity of the Imperium).

The right to exterminatus is a last resort for a lost world steeped in Heresy.

Equipment

Inquisitors wear Insignia andspecial hood to counteract psi-attacks of unregistered sorcerers and attempts to interfere with the mind.

Use firearms, lasguns and shields. Heretics are traditionally burned at the stake.

Allies

In Warhammer 40,000 members of the Ordo Hereticus operate alongside the Sisters of Battle. The units entered into a pact of mutual assistance in the name of the Emperor one hundred years ago, after the end of the Age of Apostasy. Seek help from the Imperial Guard and Adeptus Arbites law enforcement.

In the squad of the radical inquisitor there are one or two arco flagellants - heretics subjected to forced mental therapy and augmentation. Controlled through a helmet that infuriates a creature or returns it to normal upon receiving commands from its master.

A blunt weapon of the Inquisition, used when civilian casu alties are acceptable.

Literature

The Ordo Xenos, Ordo Malleus and Ordo Hereticus trilogy by Dan Abnett tells the story of Gregor Eisenhorn. The Inquisitor investigates crimes, catches apostates and punishes heretics.

The plots of the books are peculiar but predictable: the protagonist is persecuted, considered a heretic, but he continues to do hard work.

The static nature of the characters is disappointing: only the main character develops, the rest remain template blanks, which gives rise to Dan Abnett's accusations of copying himself.

Gregor's friends are interesting but out of linethe framework of the canon and do not change in the course of events, which discourages hopes for separate plot novels for each of the characters.

Eisenhorn is peculiar: he periodically disobeys orders, helps not too spoiled heretics and resorts to the help of the demon Cherubael. The latter is considered evil, but from one part of the trilogy to another unwittingly enchants.

In the books, the legions are commanded by primarchs, although the events take place after the Horus Heresy, where the only survivor is Roboute Guilliman. Mistake that sparked criticism of Dan Abnett.

Verdict

The Ordo Hereticus cares about the overall picture of the Imperium's integrity, no matter how small. Inquisitors can be sanctioned psykers, pursuing victims with unprecedented fanaticism, using magical abilities.

Targets - people in whose hands unprecedented power is concentrated: mutants with superpowers or rulers who do not want to cause destruction.

The security of individuals is rarely of value to the Ordo Hereticus, as in an Imperium of many billions of people every citizen is a potential target, and Heresy can suddenly erupt in any Segmentum.

Radical Inquisitors are a threat to the Imperium, therefore they become victims of their colleagues.