Tales from the Imperium: The Tale of the Three Inquisitors

[Editor's Note: This is the second in what will hopefully be a long series of fables, classical stories, and legends (in both unabridged and summarized form) from the Warhammer 40,000 universe, collaboratively written by myself and Stormshrug. We hope you find them enjoyable, and encourage you to contribute yourself to the collection if you feel so inclined.]


Long, long ago, the almighty Emperor in his infinite wisdom created the Inquisition, His Holy right hand to preserve the peace and sanctity of His mighty Imperium. However, as it began, it was but a single institution filled with a multitude of Inquisitors, all seeking to do His Holy work as best as he was able.


During this time there was a band of three Inquisitors who often worked together, although each had a very different approach as how to best serve Him. While traveling to a distant star to do His work, their ship suffered a horrible Warp accident, and were it not for the Emperor's watchful eye upon His most trusted servant all 3 would have perished. They were returned to real-space when suddenly the 4 Chaos Gods appeared before them. And they spoke to them.



They were angry that they had been cheated out of three new victims, for humans usually perished in the Warp. But the four were cunning. They pretended to congratulate the three Inquisitors upon their faithfulness and their diligence, and said each had earned a prize for having been strong enough to evade the Warp. 


The first Inquisitor, who was a combative man, asked for weapons strong enough to smite the mightiest of foes. So Khorne unwillingly handed over his personal bolt pistol and Daemonsword to the Inquisitor, who claimed it happily.


The second Inquisitor, who was an arrogant man, decided he wanted to humiliate the four, and asked for the power to see their presence where ever he went. And thus Slaanesh reluctantly granted him the power to see any human's deepest desire, and through that detect corruption and heresy. 


The four then asked the third Inquisitor what he desired. The third was the most perceptive and also the wisest of the three, and he did not trust the Chaos Gods. So he asked for something that would enable him to go forth from that place without being followed or seen by the Gods. And Tzeentch, most unwillingly, handed over the gift of Warp invisibility. 


The the Gods stood aside and allowed the three Inquisitors to continue on their way, and they did so talking with wonder of the adventure they had had and admiring their new gifts. 


Filled with righteous fury and the ability to slay any foe, the first Inquisitor founded the Ordo Xenos, and proceeded to attempt to exterminate any xenos he came across. Naturally, with Khorne's personal weapons, he was unkillable in battle, slaying even the mightiest Warboss or Champion of Chaos. However, Khorne was relentless, and unleashed a endless horde of enemies at the Inquisitor. Although the weapons were mighty, the Inquisitor himself was still only human, and eventually succumbed to exhaustion. 


And so the Gods took the first Inquisitor for their own.


Meanwhile, the second Inquisitor returned to the Imperial worlds to root out heresy and corruption, and founded the Ordo Hereticus. After doing this, he activated his power, only to find to his horror heresy everywhere. No matter the world, no matter the population, he found corruption rampant, and went insane. He killed himself as to rid himself of the terror.


And so the Gods took the second Inquisitor for their own.


But though the Gods searched for the third Inquisitor for many years, he had cloaked himself in the shielding of effects of a Blank, and they were never able to find him. He founded the Ordo Malleus to better understand the strange phenomenon that is the Warp. He worked for many long years and did much good in His name, and it was only as he felt the Emperor beckoning to him did he promote his loyal Interrogator to full Inquisitorial status, knowing the future was secure in his hand. He activated his limiter and greeted the Emperor and went to him gladly, and the Gods cursed as they were unable to take him for their own. 


And so the Emperor took the third Inquisitor for his own, praised him for his faithfulness, and they departed, loyal subject and hero, together.