Inquisition

The Inquisition is a powerful organisation, tracing its origins back to the Septim Empire. Initially they were meant to act as extensions of the emperor's direct wishes, acting often from the darkness. Nowadays the organization functions as a realm of its own, with its base of operations found on the island of Dagobar. Their ranks are made up of both soldiers, as well as some of the most gifted mages. The Inquisition still longs to its ancestral homeland Corinth, increasing tensions in territories controlled by the Kingdom of Gotha between the invaders and the populace.

History

Founding

Initially the Inquisition was meant as an extension of the emperor's power, operating in secrecy and removing those opposing the Septim Empire. After the Valyrian conquest it was Veranus Septim who combined the might of the Imperial Magii with the stealth and foundations of the already existing spy network in 3E:1070. From this moment on the emperor's direct influence on the organization started to dwindle, Veranus ensuring ample of influence for his successors.

Birth of the Corinthian Alliance

With the murder on emperor Yormar Septim and the sacking of Mulandir, the Inquisition freed itself from imperial Septim rule by murdering the Imperial Arch Magus Gillian Septim. After cutting their ties, they allied themselves with officers from the Imperial army. Nevertheless a war ensued upon Corinth between the usurper Hieronymus Lex and the High Inquisitor Sergus I. The war ended by the Corinthian nobles allying themselves with the Inquisition, birthing the Kingdom of Corinth. The Inquisition would officially serve as an advisory organ to the Crown, bearing the right of mage conscription. In reality however the Inquistion used its networks to retain great influence on the Baratheon court, also taking hold of large parts of the imperial armada.

Times of Expedition

From 1324 to roughly 1390 the Inquisition maintained its spy-network and growing force of mages. In addition, the Inquisition undertakes many expeditions, discovering and occupying the islands of Creon and Dagobar in respectively the years 1324 and 1385. They even undertake an expedition into the Red Waste to search among the ruins of the Kingdom of Thedas for the lost art of runecrafting.

War of Succesion

With the passing of High Inquisitor Sergus I in 1392, the Inquisition entered a war of succession. While Sergus's will stated Oculus Simeon Vardenfell should succeed him, the elder and outranking Inquisitor Xavier could not accept such a young member of the organization taking control. In addition, both held different views on the development of the Inquisition with Simeon wishing to continue Sergus's policies of guardians, while Xavier wished the Inquisition to grow in political strength, wishing to invest largely on their intrigues. The war ends after two years by the defeat of Xavier, ascending Simeon to the rank of High Inquisitor, leader of the Inquisition. The war had affected the relationship between the Corinthian populace and the Inquisition greatly, likely leading to the events 12 years later.

The Corinthian civil war

In the year 1406, prince Theodore Baratheon executes his father king Boris Baratheon, puppet to the Inquisition. This leaves the realm divided with many nobles siding with the newly crowned king Theodore Baratheon. The Inquisition responds by seizing control over Thessalonikos, showing their great magical powers through High Inquisitor Simeon Vardenfell calling on his arcane powers, leading to the scorching of entire districts of the city. The war would last for another four years, mostly being fought on sea and near the city of Augusteion. It concludes in the year 1410 through an agreement being reached between the Inquisition and the Corinthian crown, causing the war to end but the Inquisition to abandon their settlements within Corinth.

Return to the Westfork

King Theodore Baratheon grew arrogant over time, believing the islands where the Inquisition resided to be rightfully his as king of Corinth. This lead him to invade the island of Creon, which met with powerful retaliation from the Inquisition's side. The invasion of Creon left the Corinthian borders weak however, with both the Kingdom of Gotha and the Kingdom of Myrtana seizing the opportunity. Ultimately this caused the fall of the Kingdom of Corinth, leaving most of Corinth under Gothic oppression. The Inquisition manages to liberate the city of Koron from Myrtanian oppression in 1428, giving them a foothold in the Westfork once more.

A new wind

Shortly after the liberation of Koron, High Inquisitor Simeon Vardenfell abdicates, being succeeded by the former Inquisitor General Tiberus. Since the Inquisition's separation from the empire, the organization had not been lead by a non-magic practicioner, causing a division within the Inquisition. This division was ended by Tiberus's successor Belegar, who was born from the magic caste, but who invested greatly in the Inquisition's abroad spy-network as well as foot soldiers. Belegar's strategies have increased the tensions between the Kingdom of Gotha and the Inquisition, with the Inquisition inspiring rebellion against the Gothic invaders among the populace.

Hierarchy

From its founding by the Septim Empire the Inquisition had been led by a High Inquisitor, followed by two Inquisitors who held large influence over the organization. After the fall of the empire and the merging with the Imperial Magii and parts of the former Imperial army, the rank of Inquisitor General was added to this tier of the organization. Each Inquisitor had one Oculus directly responding to him, being the Inquisitor's direct tool of operation. The Oculus rank is followed by captains, lieutenants etc. with decreasing importance at lower ranks.
Roughly the Inquisition can be divided into three castes:

• Their Mage caste, handling both magic research and the recruitment of new battle mages. This caste also births the Inquisitors and is regarded by many as the highest caste.
• The Legionnaire caste, handling the training of new Inquisition foot soldiers, maintaining the army and navy, and keeping their occupied towns save.
• The Operative caste, handling the Inquisition's undercover operations such as maintaining an information network as well as instigating trouble in regions of interest.

Relations

Corinthians

While the Corinthian populace grew tired over time of the Inquisition during the times of the Kingdom of Corinth, the Gothic invaders have suaded the populace back to the Inquisition in many central regions in Corinth.

Kingdom of Gotha

As mentioned earlier, tensions between the Kingdom of Gotha and the Inquisition are growing in the Corinthian lands. The Inquisition used to be regarded as friends by The Night's Watch during the Great Orc Wars, though this relation has dwindled.

Wood Elves of Arhel Loren

The Inquisition has befriended their northern neighbors on Dagobar, the wood elves of Arhel Loren, even aiding them during their wars against the rebelling human & orc alliance of Bagroth and Riverdale. Now the Inquisition sanctions their slavery for the benefits of their alliance.

Occupied Territories

The Inquisition holds quite some lands, with their main base of operations being found on Dagobar. Furthermore, they control the mining island of Creon and a region within Corinth known as Korona. Rumors are also spreading of the Inquisition venturing into Nordmar to seize a magic ore forge there.