Post by HST Seth on Dec 18, 2013 15:43:46 GMT
Let’s face it, the Sabbat has a problem with demon-worshippers. Somehow the ideology of freedom and reveling in one’s vampiric nature translated to many as an open invitation to sell their souls for quick power. For centuries the true scope of the problem was not really understood by the Clergy. Each time an infernalist was caught it was assumed to be an isolated incident, much like is done in the Camarilla. However, as the numbers of infernalists grew within the Sword of Caine, the problem became something that could no longer be ignored.
History
In 1804, the Priscus Gustav Mallenhaus on visiting the extremely troubled domain of Montreal and meeting with the Shepherds of Caine, saw something that had never been seen before. He understood that the Sabbat’s credo of freedom for all was allowing this rot to fester untreated and that if left alone it would destroy the Sword of Caine from within. With the help of the Shepherds under their Ductus Alfred Benezri, Mallenhaus formed the first Inquisition War Party, rooting out a nest of infernalists within Montreal. After the success of that first War Party, the Priscus formally canonized the Inquisition as a Sabbat faction, appointing Soeur Jeanne of the Shepherds as the first Grand Inquisitor of the Sabbat.
The creed of the first Inquisition was to root out the infernal taint from the purity of the Sword of Caine and to watch over the souls of its holy warriors. Unfortunately after a few successful War Parties and not a small number of Wild Hunts on suspected Infernalists, the Inquisition became corrupted from within, taking bribes and contracts to pronounce judgment on mere political enemies rather than those actually suspected of the crime of infernalism. By the time of the Second Sabbat Civil War, the Inquisition was wholly a political tool of the various factions forming in the Consistory and was used as a blunt instrument by all sides.
In 1911, Julian d’Avignon, an Assamite Antitribu Dominion of the Black Hand took it upon himself to reforge the Inquisition into something the Sabbat could be proud of. Secretly, Julian had discovered the secret truth behind his own faction, and sought to create a force that could purge the influence of the Talmahe’Ra from the ranks of the Sabbat as well as deal with the now much neglected Infernalist problem. Julian approached Alfred Benezri, now one of the High Inquisitors under Jeanne, and convinced him that this was not the Inquisition he had helped to build, and that together they could forge it anew, but only after Jeanne and her inner circle were eliminated. Benezri agreed with Julian and the two of them set out to plan their coup. On the night of August 11, 1911, a night that would come to be known as the Night of Sacred Knives, Soeur Jeanne and all of her inner circle among the Inquisition were eliminated swiftly and quietly. Julian then presented his actions openly to the Consistory, throwing himself upon their mercy. However, the broken Consistory that existed in the midst of Civil War had rather tired of the Inquisition, its political usefulness had faded in its current state and all sides saw advantages to the forming of a new, stronger Inquisition. Soeur Jeanne and her circle were named as Traitors to the Sabbat and a posthumous Wild Hunt called on them, thus clearing Julian and his co-conspirators of any wrongdoing in their deaths. Julian himself was named the new Grand Inquisitor, stepping away from his position as Dominion of the Black Hand, and given leave to reorganize the faction as he saw fit.
The next 60 years were the most pivotal time for the Inquisition. Grand Inquisitor Julian truly made this group of fanatics a thing to be feared indeed. He expanded the role of the Inquisition from a group of Infernalist hunters, to the strong-arm conscience of the Sword of Caine, targeting all those who would commit heresy against the truth of the Sabbat. This included but is not limited to Camarilla agents or any other agents of the Antedilluvians, Lillans, any who would speak against the divinity of Caine or the teachings of the book of Nod, and most importantly anyone even remotely suspected of Infernalism. The Inquisition took it upon themselves to become the foremost authority on blood magic within the Sabbat, keeping master rolls of all those who have been cleared for a legal form of blood magic via the Accomplishment status Gifted. Anyone not on their rolls who is found practicing arts not of the blood will swiftly find himself being put to the question by a very fanatical Inquisitor to determine the origins of his unnatural powers.
Furthermore, Julian advanced the importance of the Inquisition immeasurably, raising them from a faction subservient to the Consistory to the same level as the Black Hand, with the Grand Inquisitor sitting next to the First Seraph on that ruling body of the Sabbat. Through the Grand Inquisitor’s influence on the Consistory, the Inquisition was given the unconditional right to act as final judge in any matter of suspected treason or heresy to the Sabbat. If one is condemned as a traitor or heretic by the Inquisition, the only recourse is a direct pardon from the Regent, and getting one of those while dodging attacks by Inquisitors is very difficult indeed.
It was also during this era that the famous rivalry between the Inquisition and the Black Hand began to manifest. Secretly, this was due to the knowledge of Caine’s Chosen that the new Grand Inquisitor brought with him, most importantly the fact that the Hand was dancing on the strings of this other, shadowy organization. Julian kept this to himself, out of fear of Black Hand Shakari silencing him for his speech, not to mention the forces of this nebulous True Hand. Nevertheless, Julian made it a point to watch and oppose the Black Hand whenever possible, now seeing the entire faction as a cancer within the Sabbat.
Julian’s reign as Grand Inquisitor lasted until 1970 when the True Black Hand decided he was getting far too close to unearthing their secrets. A kamut of elite Shakari visited him one night and disappeared without a trace. As far as the Sabbat is concerned, the final death of Julian d’Avignon is a mystery that has never been solved. Suspicion at the time fell upon Jalan Aajav, but none were brave enough to make that accusation of the Seraph openly.
In the aftermath of Julian’s death, it was expected that Alfred Benezri would succeed him to the post of Grand Inquisitor, however trouble in his native Montreal demanded his attention and he declined the offer when it was given to him by the Consistory. It took a further 3 years for another suitable candidate to be chosen, during which time the Inquisition was in a state of disarray as each of the High Inquisitors turned their attentions to their own targets and passions without a single guiding voice. Many candidates were discussed in this time. A large faction within the Inquisition supported inducting Cardinal Mocada to take the post, but he refused, preferring to continue his own research into the nature of divinity in the solitude of his catacombs.
Eventually, the High Inquisitors and the Consistory agreed upon the rather controversial appointment of the Priscus Vincent Pryce, a Ventrue Antitribu who had been recruited from his previous post as a Camarilla Archon some 350 years previously after coming to the revelation that the Camarilla really were dancing on strings for the Antedilluvians, serving these terrible beings in their ignorance. Pryce was a quiet monk and scholar, previously of the Theologians, who lacked the passion and fire of Julian, but the power of his faith and dedication were palpable and his loyalty was without question, proven time and time again during all three civil wars as he sought only to bring reunification to the fractured sect. Pryce humbly accepted the role and quickly began the task of bringing the Inquisition back to heel and ending the feuds that had developed in the past 3 years. Pryce stands as Grand Inquisitor to this night.
Organization and Positions
The Inquisition is run as a combination of a military organization and a religion in and of itself. The faction prides its members as the only part of the Sabbat that is free of the taint of heresy and treason that infects the Sword. All are guilty until proven innocent and the fires and hooks of the Inquisition are the only true way to prove innocence.
The Inquisition recruits from among the most fanatical members of the Sword of Caine, seeking only those whose dedication and zeal is beyond question. The most populous clan within the Inquisition is the Lasombra, however this is nearly matched by the number of Brujah and Salubri antitribu who have joined its ranks. No clan is forbidden membership in the Inquisition outright, however most of the Inquisition do not trust the Serpents of Light, and no Serpent has ever served as an Inquisitor. Likewise, there is little trust for the “bastard bloodlines”, particularly those that manifest unusual disciplines not mentioned in the Book of Nod. While there have been the occasional Inquisitors belonging to odd bloodlines, including several Kiasyd among the Theologians and Demonologists, they seldom rise high.
There are several positions within the Inquisition, each described below. Only the Positions of Grand Inquisitor and High Inquisitor are officially recognized by the Consistory and all others in the faction are simply referred to as Inquisitors or by their sobriquet of Purifiers. Membership in the Inquisition does not block the Inquisitor from attaining other positions within the Sabbat, save those specific to other factions.
Grand Inquisitor: The head of the Inquisition. His word is law and he is the final arbiter of all matters of heresy and treason within the Sabbat. This position also includes a seat on the Consistory. Currently held by Vincent Pryce. The Grand Inquisitor gains the status traits Confirmed, Feared, Ominous, Holy, and Infallible.
High Inquisitor: The elite and most trusted of the Inquisition, their number is kept small, ranging from 15 to no more than 50 at the most. High Inquisitors must have served in the Inquisition for a minimum of a century before being considered for the post. High Inquisitors are considered to speak with the voice and authority of the Grand Inquisitor at all times and are answerable only to the Grand Inquisitor himself, unless the Regent directly intervenes. They have full authority to declare someone a Heretic or Traitor to the Sabbat and may call the Wild Hunt. High Inquisitors gain the Status traits Confirmed, Feared, and Ominous.
Theologians: These are the researchers of the Inquisition. It is their job to research both the weapons of their enemies, staying abreast of all reports of infernalism and the abilities displayed, as well as to develop new tools and techniques for the rest of the Inquisition. All are Noddist scholars and most are blood magicians of some form, though in varying strengths.
Demonologists: A secret and very controversial role within the Inquisition. The post was created only recently by the new Grand Inquisitor to better understand the nature of their enemy. Demonologists toe the line, studying the details of infernalism and the dark arts. They make no pacts themselves, but they research extensively into the nature of demons and do summon and bind them on occasion. Demonologists take an oath upon acquiring the position that ends with , “And should any hint of corruption taint my soul, may that taint be purged by the fangs of my brothers.” Each Demonologist is assigned another Inquisitor called a Watcher, whose task is to watch and judge the Demonologist for any hint of corruption from the forces he is meddling with.
Judge: These Inquisitors are the lawkeepers and arbiters of the Inquisition. If ever there is a question of heresy or treason that either cannot, or for some reason do not want to settle with Monomacy, any Sabbat member may request a Judge to act as final arbiter on the matter. Their role is essential when one party may be dead or beyond reach.
Knight: These are the elite of the Warriors of the Inquisition, trained to fight on the front lines in any large scale battle with the corrupt elements. Any hint of particularly powerful infernalists, or large groups of them gathered together is a time when the Knights are called on. They train for years to master every technique necessary to fight the forces of the corrupt.
All members of the Inquisition gain the status Purifier in addition to any other status traits.
