The Ordo Hereticus is a formation for controlling the Ecclesiarchy, identifying traitors, mutants and heretics in the Imperium. Attention is paid to unauthorized psykers, perverted techno-adherents and apostates in the ranks of the Ministry of Education. The methods are akin to the medieval Inquisition: witch hunts, executions and burning at the stake.
Functions
After the Heresy of Horus, the influence of the Emperor waned. External enemies in the form of xenos, heretics, legions of traitors and gods of chaos have not disappeared. To them were added internal: bureaucrats, tyrant rulers, secret sects and psykers.
The galactic state, nurtured by Imperial Truth, faced a controversial phenomenon - the cult of the God Emperor.
Inquisitors from the Ordo Hereticus track down apostates in higher circles to prevent a repeat of the case of Lord Wandir (an example of the focus of power in the hands of a tyrant that threatened the integrity of the Imperium).
The right to exterminatus is an extreme measure for a lost world mired in Heresy.
Equipment
Inquisitors wear Insignia and a special hood to counter the psi attacks of unregistered sorcerers and attempts to intervene in the mind.
Use firearms, lasguns and shields. Heretics are traditionally burned at the stake.
Allies
At Warhammer 40,000, Ordo Hereticus members act together with the Battle Sisters. The units entered into an agreement of mutual assistance in the name of the Emperor a hundred years ago, after the end of the Age of Apostasy. Seek help from the Imperial Guard and Adeptus Arbitres law enforcement agencies.
One or two arco-flagellants, heretics, subjected to forced mental therapy and augmentation, are found in the detachment of the radical inquisitor. They are controlled through a helmet that infuriates the creature or returns to normal when receiving commands from the owner.
The brutal weapons of the Inquisition, used in cases where civilian casualties are acceptable.
Literature
The trilogy “Ordo Xenos”, “Ordo Malleus” and “Ordo Hereticus” by Dan Abnett tells about the adventures of Gregor Eisenhorn. The inquisitor investigates crimes, catches apostates and punishes heretics.
The plots of the books are peculiar, but predictable: the protagonist is persecuted, considered a heretic, but he continues to perform hard work.
The static character is upset: only the main character develops, the rest remain cliched blanks, which generates Dan Abnett's accusations of self-copying.
Gregor’s friends are interesting, but they get out of the canon and do not change during the course of events, which discourages individual story novels for each of the characters.
Eisenhorn is peculiar: periodically disobeys orders, helps not too spoiled heretics and resortes to the help of the demon Cherubael. The latter is considered evil, but from one part of the trilogy to another involuntarily captivates.
In the books, primarchs command legions, although events occur after the Heresy of Horus, where Robout Gilliman is the only living . The mistake that gave rise to criticism of Dan Abnett.
Verdict
Ordo Hereticus takes care of the overall picture of the integrity of the Imperium, despite the little things. Inquisitors can be sanctioned psykers chasing victims with unprecedented fanaticism using magical abilities.
Goals are people in whose hands an unprecedented power is concentrated: mutants with superpowers or rulers who do not want to inflict defeats.
The security of individuals is rarely of value to the Ordo Hereticus, since in the Imperium with a multi-billion dollar population, every citizen is a potential target, and Heresy can suddenly erupt in any segment.
The radical inquisitors are a threat to the Imperium, therefore they become victims of their colleagues.