Inquisitorial Factions: Now with an Inquisitorial Census

[Captain Malachi]

*In character*

My Lady, you are taking the quote out of context, it was not a theoretical argument, it was a direct response to a question of mine. He has admitted to using daemonhosts, your attempts to change the meaning of his words will not change this. Furthermore, whether he created them himself or merely used another inquisitors daemonhosts, it is still heresy to do so, would you claim that using a daemon weapon is not heretical, merely because you did not create it? As for your question of whether daemons can be used as weapons in the same manner as our own assassins, I will give you a simple answer. No. I will chalk it up to your lack of knowledge of the daemon, but I must inform you that a daemon cannot be controlled, even a daemonhost is never fully under the command of his creator, it always retains some semblence of self control, if not much.

*Out of character*

If you want to get out argued, stop arguing so well, it took me almost 15 minutes to come up with that and even I'm not convinced by it. :P

[Inquisitor Fox]

(OOC)

 

That would be like being asked to shave points in a Football game :P She was called to speak for the defendant, so speak she shall, and like every task or duty assigned to her she will perform it to the best of her ability. Besides.. if she frees the Accused now she can always acquire actual evidence now that he has come to her attention as a probable heretic to destroy him with later.

 

(IC)

 

"The reason our own Assassins are so deadly is because they as well retain "some semblence of self control." Their targets and orders are given, then they act on their own to carry out their orders. Whether the death come by a bolter or a Vindicare it is no less certain.

 

"As far as taking the quote out of context, the Defense is merely replying to the accusations of the Prosectution as to what the Accused intended by his statement. Perhaps the Accused does not have the experience you or I do with confronting daemons. He was merely explaining his own view as to what perhaps the Inquisition should consider in our quest to destroy the enemies of the Emperor. You will note specifically the Defense pointed out that the entire quoted argument hinges upon the words "If the fashion I see most fit." That is not a statement that the Accused does see most fit is to use weapons of the Warp, but is a theoretical argument in its entirety. The statements following the "if" are merely a continuation of that theoretical statement."

 

Nicole smiles at Gordo, "As a personal note, I happen to agree with you, my lord. I believe that any article associated with daemonkind needs to be destroyed, not used. I make it my personal policy to call my allies among the Grey Knights as soon as I have suspicion that daemons may be present in my pursuit of witches, sorcerors, and rogue psykers. I had more than enough experience with daemonkind during my aid of the Mordant 13th in it's recent campaign to give me plenty of reason to know my personal viewpoint is correct. However, my own viewpoint or experience is not what is at question, rather it is the statements of the Accused, which reflect his own, perhaps naive, viewpoint of what may be deemed acceptible."

[Shunch]

**IC**

Basavriuk leaned back slightly, smiling chillingly. At several points of the argument he had come very close to yelling out in rage regarding various statements on his character and his supposed use of warpcraft, but he restrained himself. It was obviously far better to allow an inquisitor more...fashionable...amongst the conclave to speak in his defense. He had no doubt that he was already thrice damned in the eyes of his prosecutors, and had no wish to give their position more ammunition by releasing an unguarded or easily twisted testimony. Though it was painful to allow a blinkered Thorian to speak on his behalf, Basavriuk concluded he could bear the humiliation if it kept him off the chopping block of the blood-hungry inquisitors. He did not need to win exactly, for he had already irreparably damaged his standing amongst the Inquisitors present. All he needed to do was keep the Puritans bickering amongst themselves for just a little while longer. He took a moment to glare venomously at the pusillanimous Qordath, who was not even coming to the aid of one his own. If Basavriuk was going to be declared a heretic, he could already think what his first heresy would be. Resuming his position so none would notice and read his intentions, Basavriuk turned his attention back to the prosecution, and barely stifled a snort as more accusations poured out. Within minutes, he was already bored again.

 

For the dozenth or so time, Basavriuk glanced surreptitiously out the window. For only a moment, his eyes averted towards the sky, as if searching for something....

 

**OOC**

I'm going to let this trial progress naturally. I have no intention of letting Basavriuk die, nor ceasing to represent him, so don't worry that you Puritan hounds will be wanting for a target of your contempt.

 

For those of you who haven't put two and two together yet, I'll give you a clue: This court room is going to be in dire need of being re-sanctified, very soon.

[Grand Master Tyrak]

*In character*

 

While the defence raises an important distinction, that of advocating warpcraft and actually practicing it, might I point out that the penalty for either is death? If Baravsiuk is not guilty of the latter, he is certainly guilty of the former.

 

*Out of character*

 

For those of you who haven't put two and two together yet, I'll give you a clue: This court room is going to be in dire need of being re-sanctified, very soon.

 

Why, oh why didn't I ask for the Firebird to be kept in geo-centric orbit?

Yes, Tyrak does own his own ship, he's an ex-Naval officer and so has extensive contacts in the Navy instead of in the Guard or the Astartes.

 

I do hope this will be suitably pyrotechnic, it would be such a let-down if Baravsiuk just jumps out the window.

 

Y'know its really hard to conduct a trial where you can only gain evidence through First Action.

[Captain Malachi]

*In character*

Lady, the difference between our assassins and daemons is that the assassins begin their lives loyal to the imperium, the daemons are the opposite, any self control they maintain they will use to destroy us. However, this really has little to do with the matter at hand, so I suggest we leave it.

The words "If the fashion I see most fit." can be taken in many ways, yes, it's possible they can mean what you claim, but I argue that it is simply a way of saying "this is what I believe", "if" is too ambiguous to be used as a defence against heresy.

Perhaps the accused is naive, it's possible he even believes himself to be innocent, however, I would like to point out, this is all irrelevent, if he is allowed to leave he will undoubtedly attempt to spread his misguided beliefs throughout the galaxy, and I'm sure all present can understand that this cannot be allowed.

It is my own personal opinion however, that the accused is fully aware that what he believes is heretical at the very least, and I believe that he, like many traitors before him, has no lesser goal than the ultimate destruction of our great Imperium.

*Glances suspiciously at Baravsiuk*

Lady, everything the accused has uttered has been said with a sense of distain for us all, I myself am an empath Lady, though I prefer not to admit to it often, and I am well aware of the intent of the accuseds statements.

*out of character*

God I'm having fun, although clearly my debating skills leave something to be desired :P

Oh, and Tyrak, I hope you don't mind me taking over a little here :lol:

[Grand Master Tyrak]

*Out of character*

 

Captain Malachi Posted Today, 08:10 PM

Oh, and Tyrak, I hope you don't mind me taking over a little here

 

Not at all. It would kind of destroy the point of this thread if I tried to restrict who could participate.

[Captain Malachi]

*Out of character*

Captain Malachi Posted Today, 08:10 PM

Oh, and Tyrak, I hope you don't mind me taking over a little here

 

Not at all. It would kind of destroy the point of this thread if I tried to restrict who could participate.

Good to hear, but I meant as the prosecutor :P

[The emperors chosen]

in character

 

Basavriukn cease your heretical meddlings, the God Emperor is still alive ,and sits on the golden throne,

*quote* Posted November 3rd, 11:11 PM

Chaos itself is infinite power. The Avatar-Emperor, for all his failings, recognized this. The warp is a weapon our foes use against us, but we are somehow blind enough to not harness it against them.*quote*

consorting with the warp is a heresy, tread carefully.-Inquisitor James

*OC*

I am quite enjoying this, and has anyone thought of Cypher as the heir to the emperor, that would explain why he is heading to terra.

[Inquisitor Fox]

(OOC)

 

The Cavalier is a Mars class Battle Cruiser too, but as nice as it is to have most all of her allies in the same vessal (with escorts, pre fluffed for whenever I get to start Battlefleet Gothic), taking a Battle Cruiser as a personal ride is a little excessive :devil: Nicole rather prefers Valkyries as a planetside transport when she isn't using her Land Raider (yes, I even used the Inquisition Forge World doors and painted it up in black and red). I'm drooling over the rumored possibility of plastic Valkyries!

 

(IC)

 

"It does pose the question of at what point during a discussion is one advocating the use of Warpcraft, beyond talking about the theoretical and scholarly points associated with it. Many Inquisitors make use of various technologies that are perhaps linked with Xenos, or use research gained by association with the Eldar histories or the infamous Black Library. Should anyone with any variance towards an ultra-puritanical stance be labeled a heretic? Should we put all psykers, including ourselves and the God-Emperor, may his name be praised, to the torch? I do not believe that we could call a form of suicide one of the intentions of the God-Emperor.

 

"Do the actions of one instance make enough for a true charge of heresy? I know I prefer to stake my charges and reputation upon a more solid stand of repeated evidence and observation. Perhaps he will attempt to influence others towards heretical views, at which point we have repeated acts of evidence with which to make a charge that is impossible to refute."

[Grand Master Tyrak]

* In character*

 

Do no confuse warpcraft, that is consorting with daemons and the use of the tools of the Enemy, with psychic potential.

 

Shunch, Posted November 4th, 09:52 PM

If the fashion I see most fit to destroy the agents of Chaos is to turn their own weapons upon them, I shall. I am not the first to come to this conclusion, and no amount of praying to your Avatar-Emperor will make me the last. And do not mistake my use of daemons as weapons as an association to their agenda. A daemon is an abominable being, and it is only when the last heretic, traitor, and affront to the God-Emperor has been burned that I will turn my guns upon my own arcane tools.

 

The wording is explicit, a ready willingness to use the tools of the enemy regardless of the acknowledged denial of the doctrines of the Emperor regarding using such tools. Added to that is a clear confession to the use of daemons, despite a (fruitless) claim that he is not actively furthering said daemons' agenda(s).

 

*Out of character*

 

Nothing so grand for Tyrak. Just a 'simple' Q-ship, though if you check the BFG stats for a Q-ship, its heavily armed. Naval salvage rights plus Inquisitorial authority can get you a lot in the theatre of space. :devil:

[Captain Malachi]

*In character*

Repeated evidence? So it is your opinion that if they do it once they have done nothing wrong, we must let them traint more worlds with their heresy? I'm sorry Lady, but that is ridiculous, Baravsiuk has, for all intents and purposes, admitted to heresy, and he must be punished for his crimes.

*out of character*

My guys too low a rank to have his own ship, he just hops on a generic transport when he has somewhere to go. Still, at least he can effectively call on a whole chapter of space marines when he wishes.

[Inquisitor Fox]

(OOC)

 

I know absolutely nothing really of BFG other than a brief readthrough and deciding if I did it, I would take the maneuverability of a Battle Cruiser over the sheer mayhem of the Emperor-class gigantic things. Really it's usually more shuttles and Valkyries for my mind.. she just asks nicely for permission to take rides or suggest new targets if there are other orders lacking. I should do some more contemplation on this.. or research into what is a smaller vessal that would suit her needs but still easily work into the fleet around the Cavalier. At the moment she's a fancy hitchhiker :devil:

 

(IC)

 

"I am quite familiar with the differences between being a psychic and practicing foul warpcraft and sorcery, Tyrak. I am merely suggesting that the discussion of the matter does not necessarily equate advocation of it. Surely asking questions does not make someone a criminal, if that were the case every one of us should be on trial."

 

Edit: "As far as repeated evidence goes, would you call a Space Marine, who having his bolter and pistol out of ammo grabbed a Shuriken Catapult to kill Eldar with it a heretic? I believe more must be considered beyond a simple accusation."

[Grand Master Tyrak]

*In character*

 

Read the evidence again, Baravsiuk has confessed to the use of daemons in his 'work'. He has confessed and therefore the penalty is execution. Immediate execution!

 

*Out of character*

 

Tyrak uses his ship as part of his cover, being of a naval background his frequent alias is one Captain Engelhorn, arms dealer and occasional supplier to the Arbites. Not regular essentials to the Arbites, but say an extra Repressor might be given to him to transport, after all, an Inquisitor's ship is a safer bet than a regular transport. He has also salvaged an ex-Astral Claws Thunderhawk, for when an Arvus Lighter just isn't impressive enough. Obviously, he doesn't use the Thunderhawk whilst undercover, thats a bit of a giveaway.

[Shunch]

**IC**

Inquisitor Basavriuk sighed quietly and closed his eyes. For a moment, he had the fleeting hope he may get out of this on official charges, but he was quite sure this petty argument's end was fast approaching. He did not want to, but what must be done, must be done.

 

Inclining his head, Basavriuk began to organize his thoughts of what he had memorized the night before.

 

He was sure the Emperor would forgive him.

[Grand Master Tyrak]

*In character*

 

I declare the accused to be guilty of the crime of heresy, in the form of consorting with daemons, and therefore subject to immediate execution! All in favour, draw your weapons!

 

*reaches for bolter*

 

*Out of character*

 

I'm sure this is going to involve the deaths of several henchmen . . .

[Shunch]

**IC**

 

As the prosecution concluded their final statements, Basavriuk had long since ceased his concentration on the matter at hand. His eyes were squeezed shut and he was animatedly muttering something to himself under his breath. As the sentence and declared punishment was delivered, the presiding judges requested Basavriuk make a final testament.

 

The inquisitor did not respond immediately. In fact, after several moments, those near him nudged him to make sure his mind had not wandered. When Basavriuk finally opened his eyes, they were glazed over and rolling back into his head. The accused's mouth lolled open slightly, and acrid gray steam poured from it as if he had been smoking. Those who were looking closely enough noted the air around him shimmered and seemed to melt within itself somewhat. Dazed as it was, Basavriuk's slack face managed a kind of lopsided smile.

 

Several Inquisitors in the room already knew what was happening, and lurched towards their sidearms. Not one of them was even remotely fast enough. The roof of the court room bulged slightly, as if sagging, and then exploded tremendously, throwing smoke and debris across the room. Exposed to the sky, all eyes rested upon the angelic figure floating there. All eyes except Basavriuk's. His eyes, now alight with purpose, rested on the interrogator presiding over him. The young man's head simply exploded.

 

With that action, the entire courtroom erupted into pandemonium. Most of the inquisitors in the room leveled their weapons at the warp-thing floating before them, and opened fire. Swathes of white flame intercepted every shot. Only one inquisitor was paying attention to the true threat. Snatching a bolt pistol away from a stunned a noviate, Lord Tyrak leveled the weapon and fired at the heretic Basavriuk.

 

Be it just coincidence, or divine intervention from the God-Emperor himself, a small-caliber autopistol round struck Tyrak's shot in mid-air. Though the bullet had nowhere near the power to fling the fat bolter round off-course, it did alter its trajectory. Rather than a kill shot, the bolt tore Basavriuk's arm off just below the shoulder. Shrieking, the condemned inquisitor fell to the floor.

 

Tutting in an almost maternal fashion, the Daemonhost floated leisurely towards the floor through the sea of fire. Extending a perfectly shaped arm, the daemon grasped Basavriuk's limp form with a single taloned hand and pulled him up. Not a single shot marred the being's perfect skin, nor further harmed its master.

 

Ignoring the hail of gunshots and psychic exorcisms directed towards it, the daemon, almost half-heartedly, tugged the unconscious inquisitor up through the sundered ceiling and into the sky beyond.

[Inquisitor Fox]

(IC)

 

Nicole leapt out of the way of the falling rubble, her speedy reactions, power armor and rosarius granting her some degree of protection from the chaos erupting around her. Rising up from the ground her eyes glowed slightly as blue psychic Scourging bolts flew towards the rapidly retreating figures, however the few moments headstart while she was dodging rocks trying to fall on her head seemed to save the heretic and servant of Chaos.

 

Growling she inclined her head towards Tyrak. "That is what I would call repeated evidence not based upon hearsay. Pleasant hunting to us all, Tyrak."

[Grand Master Tyrak]

*In character*

 

*Runs for the door but gets pulled flat on his back by the hem of his greatcoat caught on the edge of his seat.*

 

Oof! Not again! Stop that man! Er, creature! To arms, and do not let him escape the Emperor's Justice! Mr Hayes, untangle me from this seat . . .

 

*Out of character*

 

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Inquisitor Tyrak, like myself, suffers from horrendous bad luck.

[Shunch]

**OOC**

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Inquisitor Tyrak, like myself, suffers from horrendous bad luck.

As if the missed headshot wasn't bad enough...

 

**IC**

Conflicting memories swam through Basavriuk's vision as he fought to get a hold of himself. What had happened? The last thing he had seen...yes...the last thing he had seen was that Tyrak. He was a fool. Impeding him in the Emperor's work! Casting away his pain through sheer psychic will, Basavriuk hoisted himself up to get a better grip on Iiyanaxphant.

 

That was when he realized his right arm was gone.

 

Snarling the most terrible warp-oath he could muster, Basavriuk glanced towards the ground to see if Iiyanaxphant had planned additional devilry to delay the misguided Imperials. Almost on cue, an Inquisitorial APC stationed outside the building exploded in a gigantic fireball, throwing shards of steel into the assembling Strom troopers. It both pleased Basavriuk that he would make good of his escape, but disturbed him that he was growing to understand the way of thinking beheld by the warp-thing that had saved his life.

 

Iiyanaxphant glanced downwards at him, not even trying to contain the glee spread across its face. "You're bleeding rather badly" it understated jovially, "I imagine humans don't regrow extremities?"

 

Basavriuk didn't answer, for he had already slipped back into delirium.

[Grand Master Tyrak]

*In character*

 

Those damn Radicals! Xanthite, Horusian, Recongregator, Isstvaanians, every one of them heretics!

 

*Out of character*

 

Thats designed to restart the debate after this debacle. Just as soon as Inquisitor Tyrak unhooks his greatcoat from his seat.

[Shunch]

**OOC**

Well, good. Nice to see there's some sort of developing story here. I'll let Basavriuk rest a while as he finds a suitably warp-influenced way to replace his arm.

In the mean time...

 

Inquisitor Konrad Leiche: Revivificator; Ordo Sepulturum

 

EDIT: 'Revivificator' most likely logs as 'Other', but it is detailed in the Thorian Source Book.

[Wulfen Lord Leo]

IC

 

Underneath a slab of stone two glowing cuts apeared. The slab fell apart as the Inquisitor William rose up from it "Damn heretic" said, sheathing his gigantic sword, then dusting himself off.

 

OOC:He got trapped underneath a stone slab, so he couldn't chase after Basavriuk. Which is a shame, he has a Land Raider to use as well.

[Chengar Qordath]

*IC*

 

In a brief moment of clarity between the entrance of the Daemonhost and the proper eruption of mass chaos and battle Inquisitor Kolbe had time enough for a single though. Crap, that's going to make the rest of us Horusians look bad.

 

Then she was on her feet, crackling soul-lightning streaking from her fingers to lash at the Daemonhost while chants of purity and abjuration sprang to her lips, but the warp-spawned beast survived despite her best efforts to destroy it. One of the members of her retinue, a former Sororitas by the name of Magda, charged the beast and fired off several shots with her bolter, only for all her attacks to be deflected by the beast's unnatural power. When the creature counter-attacked it took the poor woman's head clean off with an almost casual swipe. Moments later the monster collected its corrupted master and made good its escape.

 

"Damnation!" Rhiannon hissed as she watched the Daemonhost and Basavriuk depart. "If only I'd had a psycannon to hand!" Her gaze fell once more on her slain servant, and more foul curses passed through her lips. The Inquisitor's fury turned to tired resignation as she heard Tyrak's outburst, and her mind turned from the recent physical to politics. A different battlefield to be sure, but no less important ... and potentially no less deadly. More moderate radicals like her always had to walk a fine line staying true to their principles while not doing anything severe enough to merit the scrutiny and anger of the Puritan majority of the Inquisition. When another Radical, and a member of her own faction no less, so obviously fell to Chaos and turned his arms against his fellow Inquisitors there were unpleasant repurcussions for those left behind.

 

Too many of her fellow Radicals were caught up in romantic notions of being the lone voice of truth in a sea of ignorance. The only way for the Horusian agenda to ever be fulfilled was to convince the mainstream majority of Pruitan inquisitors that their ideas were not a threat to the Imperium, to win over the Inquisition, the government, and the populace as a whole to their point of view. Such persuasion was greatly complicated when self-proclaimed Horusians went and performed numerous heresies and blasphemies.

 

On days like this I miss being a simple Interrogator; life was so much simpler when I didn't have to worry about politics and just had to follow whatever orders Inquisitor Burke gave me. Well, time for damage control. "You speak too hastily Inquisitor Tyrak; you condemn thousands of Inquisitors for the actions of a single man, men and women of the very factions you deride stood against Basavriuk, and some of us will bury friends and allies in the coming days due to his treason. Your words dishonor the memory of those who fought to stop the very man we all intend to hunt down and to whom we shall administer the Emperor's justice."

[Grand Master Tyrak]

*In character*

 

I have no more sympathy for such philosophical differences. I come here, to this conclave, to reconcile differences and seek unity, and what do I find? Heresy and corruption in our midst! There can be no unity in this conclave until Baravsiuk is brought to Imperial Justice. Who is to say that another of his "faction" is not also corrupted, and merely seeks to maintain their cover with a show of backstabbing?

 

I have no sympathy for "Radicals" and no more patience to pretend otherwise. I will welcome any assistance in the hunt for Baravsiuk, but until I find him, my physical presence in this conclave is over.

 

*Stalks from the room, with a quick glance to check he's not still attached to the seat, and a glare at Inquisitor Kolbe*

 

*Out of character*

This is so going into my backstory.

[Shunch]

**IC**

 

Inquisitor Rohm stood planted in one position, hopelessly firing shots into the air long after the heretic and his abomination had vanished from view. It was only when his storm bolter finally ran out of ammunition that he resignedly dropped it to the floor.

 

Rohm's mind quickly made the transition from rage to damage assessment. All around him, dozens were dead or dying. Even worse, the sanctum had irrevocably been defiled. It was unlikely that the Ecclesiarchy would ever be able to remove so potent a taint from this place. Already, the surviving inquisitors had sprung into various states of action. Many had dashed from the room, intent to pursue the traitor as hotly as possible. Others, still, remained behind, once again consumed by politics or accusation and counter-accusation.

 

Rohm's eyes finally rested upon a man in the far corner of the room. The man was lanky and unkempt, clothed in tattered robes. He was bent over something, studying it intently. As Rohm drew closer, he saw it was a woman who had been all but ripped in half during the crossfire. As he watched, Rohm saw the man produce a syringe from his robes "Ah" though Rohm "This soul has taken it upon himself to administer the Emperor's Peace to the dying." It was only several moments later that Rohm realized, to his horror, the solution had not killed the woman, but prolonged her suffering! The man bent over her, and seemed to whisper to her. The woman apparently tried to speak, but only blood came out. Rohm bounded over to the man, laspistol drawn.

 

"Sweet Terra and High Lords above! What are you doing?"

 

The man looked up at Rohm, seemingly annoyed to be interrupted during his work. Seeing the laspistol, he grinned. For a moment, Rohm's eyes locked with the man's hooded, yellow irises.

 

"I am doing the Emperor's work, brother", declared Inquisitor Konrad Leiche.