The Ordo Hereticus was founded much later than the Ordo Xenos and Ordo
Malleus, created after the Age of Apostasy which occurred during the second
century of the 36th millennium. The 'Plague of Unbelief', spread by the
insane tyrant Goge Vandire, had severely destabilised the Imperium in a way
not seen since the Horus Heresy.
The Ordo Hereticus was created within the Inquisition as a check on the
Ecclesiarchy, ensuring that another man like Vandire could not gain the
level of power and control he did. Although the Ecclesiarchy has its own
internal regulatory bodies, the Inquisitors of the Ordo Hereticus act as
another line of defence against corruption.
Role
Although primarily concerned with supervising the Ecclesiarchy and the
Imperial Cult, the Ordo Hereticus has expanded its jurisdiction to encompass
the internal threats to the Imperium; the witch, the mutant, the heretic,
the traitor. Ordo Hereticus Inquisitors are considered to be the most
sinister of the three Orders, as they must find their foes amongst the
population of the Imperium's millions of inhabited worlds. The arrivial of
an Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor on a world is met with equal parts of awe and
trepidation, as none but the Inquisitor know where his attentions will fall.
The members of the Ordo Hereticus monitor the Wars of Faith inspired by the
Ecclesiarchy, to ensure they remain within the objectives assigned by the
Ecclesiarch. They ensure that the teachings preached by priests of the
Imperial Cult remain true to the spirit of the Emperor's will. They regulate
the wealth and territory claimed by members of the Ecclesiarchy, to prevent
higher members of the institution from gaining more power than is
appropriate.
The Ordo Hereticus is also called upon to monitor other Imperial
organisations for internal threats, including the Adeptus Arbites, the Space
Marines, and even the Inquisition itself. Only the Emperor is beyond their
jurisdiction, and it is a brave man who crosses a member of the Ordo
Hereticus.
The Adepta Sororitas
See main article: Witch Hunters
The Adepta Sororitas, also known as the Sisterhood or the Daughters of the
Emperor, are a vast organisation of nuns devoted to the worship of the
Emperor. Although there are many different Orders within the Sisterhood, the
most well known are the Orders Militant, forming the military wing of the
Ecclesiarchy.
After the Age of Apostasy, the Ecclesiarchy was forbidden from possessing
any "men under arms" by the Decree Passive issued by Sebastian Thor. A
loophole was found and exploited by refounding the Daughters of the Emperor
as warrior-nuns after merging them into the greater Sisterhood. The
Sisterhood is an internal regulator, along with being an external army,
ordered to ensure that true faith is spread throughout the Imperium and the
galaxy.
The Sisters of Battle and the Ordo Hereticus have a common purpose; to
protect the Imperium from internal threats, and to regulate the power
amassed by the Ecclesiarchy. Recognising this, the two organisations joined
together in their efforts, a relationship formalised by the Convocation of
Nephilim. Although the Sisters of Battle remained under the day-to-day
command of the Ecclesiarchy, they would respond without question when an
Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus called upon them.
Adepta Sororitas troops and
weaponry
The Witch Hunters have a predisposition towards flamer and melta weapons.
The Sisters of Battle are the main troops of the Ordo Hereticus, but
Imperial Guard and Space Marine forces can be requested by an Inquisitor to
supplement their force and capabilities.
A full list of weapons and equipment used by the Ordo Hereticus can be found
at the Weapons and Equipment and Vehicles of the Imperium articles.
