Description

The Eldritch Inquisition is an organization of like-minded individuals who above all seek to bring order and stability to the chaotic nature of magic. The roles of members of the Eldritch Inquisition stretch across many different fronts; Most members seek to hunt evil spellcasters, both divine and arcane. Some take up arms hunt to hunt rogue mages and seize cursed artifacts, others hold the line against extraplanar horrors, while still others seek to guide those burdened with unpredictable magic and warlock pacts

In recent decades, various catastrophic events, such as the Hadarian Crisis, the rise of the lich coven, and other calamities born from ill-intended and reckless arcane practices have strengthened the calls for vigilance. Thus, the Eldritch Inquisition sees a significant increase in authoritative power and resources as the need for safe conduct of magic is pushed higher up the political agenda.

Worldview

Members of the Inquisition are likely to be of Lawful alignment, ranging from good to, in rare, extremist occasions, even evil. People of different alignments may also be among the ranks for their own personal reasons. New initiates will either be taught the basics of spellcasting to defend themselves, or will be equipped with tools to help them deal with enemy spellcasters. Despite the fact that the organization is secular, there are still many members within the organization who worship varying gods or pantheons. Among these the most popular are those that are tied to the Magic Domain.

“Magic is powerful. Magic is corrupting. Magic is addicting. The lure of magic power can turn the most righteous person into a devious antagonist. We must protect the innocent from the wicked.”

• Grand Master Janus Fairweather, before engaging a hag.

Structure and People

The Eldritch Inquisition is comprised of 3 main sections:

• The Inquisitorial Intelligence Network, they eyes and ears of the Inquisition

• The Inquisitorial Armed Forces (working title), the iron fist of the inquisition

• The Office of the Inquisition, the bureaucratic backbone of the organization.

Leader: High Inquisitor Isolde Greystone

Greystone is the embodiment of the Eldritch Inquisition’s ideals, a Paladin and foremost among the original Templars who founded the organization. Stern, wise, and unyielding, Greystone balances the pursuit of order through ruthless diligence and a deep commitment to protecting the innocent from evil magic. She's both a symbol of unity and authority, with the respect of local Chapter Masters, Inquisitors, and the entire Inquisition.

Heraldry

The Inquisition are usually represented by an image of a silver lightning bolt displayed on a background of varying shades of purple. Local Chapters may sport variations on this as their local coat of arms.

Members of the Inquisition will display their allegiance in various ways. Some display their chapter’s coat of arms on their shield or cloak, or they may even wear a tabard displaying the symbol of the Inquisition itself.

Usually the Inquisitors carry some way of identification: a way to distinguish themselves and their rank among the Inquisition. This will usually take the form of a simple badge of office; a broche, ring or amulet.

Relations

Generally, the Inquisition will attempt to maintain cordial relationships with local authorities. They however are eager to point out the fact they are an international organization who do not owe allegiance to any form of governance. Their keeps, however, are there at the whim of local authorities, which they in turn are fond of reminding the Inquisition of. They will attempt to maintain cordial relationships with friendly or neutral organizations, but they will be quick to condemn those who do not follow their personal beliefs. Those organizations they will be at odds with, if not showing outright hostility toward them.

Locations

Locations

The influence of the Eldritch Inquisition stretches across many cities, but they are most prominently based in Stormhaven, where their headquarters are located. This is where the Eldritch Inquisition's Armed Forces are trained and where most of the confiscated arcane artifacts are stored. The sealed chamber of preservation (or SCP) is located deep under the Inquisitorial Headquarters, and heavily guarded by several high-ranking members of the Inquisition, one of which being as Col. Hector (Der Stier) Schwartzschild.

Aside from their main base of operations, they have a significant presence in the mage city of Brell, being constantly at odds with the Conclave of Mages. In this city, the activities of mages are being held under an increasingly close watch, causing tensions between members of these respective factions. The Inquisitorial archives, where records, testimonies and case files of corruptive magical occurances, as well as forbidden texts are stored and maintained, are also located in Brell.

After the Hadarian crisis, the Eldritch Inquisition secured a perimeter around the ruins of Torrica, marking it as an exclusionary zone and guarding it with frequent patrols, watchtowers and magical barriers. Typically, those who enter this zone are not stopped, leaving, however, is an entirely different matter, as guards work to contain the magical corruption within this zone. The Torrica Fortress, improvisingly constructed right after the Rise of Hadar, has grown into a large keep harbouring many of the Intelligence Network members.

Similar to the Keep near Torrica, the Eldritch Inquisition tend to build makeshift forts when stationed near locations of corruptive arcane activity. These camps dot the landscape around Torrica, where extraplanar incursions and arcane hazards appear more frequently. These forts typically consist of haphazardly built wooden pallisades and watchtowers.

The Eldritch Inquisition is actively trying to expand their influence into new territories, one of these cities, Rhyl, has long shunned their influence, keeping in line with ancient religious traditions and wanting to keep their rigorous control outside of the city borders.

Subfactions Locations

Monastery of St. Muriel in Arland Harbour District

McTennite Estate between Brell and Torrica's Ruins

Public Agenda

Generally, the Inquisition will attempt to maintain cordial relationships with local authorities. They however are eager to point out the fact they are an international organization who do not owe allegiance to any form of governance. Their keeps, however, are there at the whim of local authorities, which they in turn are fond of reminding the Inquisition of. They will attempt to maintain cordial relationships with friendly or neutral organizations, but they will be quick to condemn those who do not follow their personal beliefs. Those organizations they will be at odds with, if not showing outright hostility toward them. Goals and personal motivations of members of the organization are varied. Some members seek to hunt evil spellcasters, both divine and arcane. Others seek to find, guide or temper people suffering from uncontrollable and unpredictable magic, like Sorcerers or Wild Magic Barbarians. Even others still seek to free individuals suffering from magical curses or pacts, like warlocks or victims of hags. Members of the Inquisition are likely to be of Lawful alignment, ranging from good to, in rare, extremist occasions, even evil. People of different alignments may also be among the ranks for their own personal reasons.

Alliances

• Local Authorities and Governments: The Inquisition cultivates pragmatic working relationships with local rulers and governing bodies, leveraging their influence in exchange for operational freedom and access to key locations.

• Commerce Factions: While wary of guild politics, the Inquisition accepts funding and cooperation from guilds affected by magic-related disturbances, maintaining a utilitarian relationship with those who support their goals financially or logistically.

• 'Good' Magic Domain Faiths: Many members worship deities tied to magical domains, creating informal alliances with clergy and temple leadership who share compatible goals or harbor sympathies.

Rivals

• The Scribes Guild: the Inquisition’s Office constantly poaches talented scribes

• The Intellectual Institutions: While often working together on expeditions and research, they fundamentally differ in what to do with obtained knowledge. For the Inquisition wishes to hide 'dangerous' knowledge, while the Intellectual Institutions desire to share everything freely in the name of science.

• The Military Guilds: With their own Armed Forces, the Inquisition is a direct rival to many of the military guilds.

Opponents

• Conclave of Mages: Many a member of the conclave of mages has ended up in the black cells of the Eldritch Inquisition and the Inquisition would jump at the opportunity to disband the organization altogether.

History

The Inquisition finds its roots in the first anti-magic keep and current headquarters of the entire Inquisition, known as the Grand Temple. These original Templars were a group of Paladins and Clerics that had amassed a large assortment of cursed magical items. These Templars served different gods of the Magic Domain that united under  the common purpose of safeguarding these items from the world. They ordered the construction of the Grand Temple, a grand vault full of anti-magical auras and glyphs that would serve as their headquarters. The foremost Paladin among them, Janus Fairweather, became the first Grand Master of the Inquisition.

Over time the Inquisition saw large growth, and evolved from the religious organization it began as into a secular one. The remaining original Templars each set out to create new Chapter Keeps, where they became the first Chapter Masters. They sought to expand their influence and thus safeguard a larger area.

In recent years, the Inquisition has taken several subfactions under their wings. These factions share some of the same goals of the inquisition and enjoy their support and protection.

Quest Giver

Inquisitor Korthaine, Thiefling with lightblue skin and twisted horns. Haughty, rightious but practical, Korthaine made a name for herself by joining the fight against the Grandmother. A Cleric of Tyr, she is always at the forefront to aid the people of Kildar. She travels the continent and acts as an envoy for the inquisition by forging bonds and contracting skilled adventurers to (temporarily) fight under the banner of The Eldritch Inquisition.

Member creation tables for DM's

A template with tables for quickly generating npc members of this faction.

Roleplay