Scarlet inquisitor Scarlet inquisitors are the reason that even the dead have learned to fear the Scarlet Crusade . These former priest s and healer s , once dedicated to aiding the wounded , have turned their training in the Holy Light to a more devious end — torturing a captured subject without allowing the prisoner the luxury of death . For this reason , inquisitors are given high authority within their own organization — and are feared by their own people as much as their enemies . In spite of their title , inquisitors do not always torture simply to extract information — many enjoy inflicting pain , and that quality makes them dangerous in combat . Grand Inquisitor Isillien is one of the most influential figures in the Scarlet Crusade , and rumors say he handpicks the few others who are deemed worthy to bear the mantle of inquisitor . High - ranking inquisitors train pupils in the subtle art of manipulation as well as the destructive and fearsome arts for which the inquisitors are famous . It is the duty of the inquisitor to transform a broken Knight of the Silver Hand into a loyal zealot of the Scarlet Crusade , such as Highlord Taelan Fordring . Inquisitors are also responsible for detecting treachery in their own ranks ; inquistors are affiliated with the Scarlet Crusade ( at least initially ; defectors are possible ) . Hardly a day passes that the Crusaders do not find an infiltrator loyal to the Cult of the Damned . With the skill to judge a potential traitor comes the power of the executioner ; inquisitors have the right and the responsibility to deal with traitors . Betrayal is not limited to siding with the Scourge , of course ; disagreeing with Grand Crusader Saidan Dathrohan might be grounds for elimination as well . The final responsibility of the inquisitor is morale — in many ways , inquisitors retain the role of normal priests , and they ensure the soldiers in their care remain in good spirits . In spite of the fear that even other members of the Scarlet Crusade feel toward inquisitors , they retain the role of confessor , moral support , and other responsibilities that one might expect from a priest of the Church of the Holy Light . Scarlet inquisitors are almost exclusively human priests , but a few paladin s have the dedication and magical skill to follow this path . As high - ranking members of the Scarlet Crusade , individuals outside the organization look down on them even more than other Crusaders , and with justification . Even inquisitors who are still sane have a level of zeal that the average person or adventuring party cannot tolerate . The Church of the Holy Light takes a stand against the inquisitors ' torture and other methods , but the crusaders dismiss such accusations as naïve . The knight s and priests of Stormwind have not yet experienced the full force of the Scourge , and the Crusade believes that this lack of knowledge prevents them from being willing to use the necessary amount of force . The Scarlet Crusade ' s loyal knights and priests are convinced ( by their inquisitors ) that the church will eventually see their way of life as necessary . Inquisitors see themselves as the voices of reason in a world clouded with deception ; they burn through the lies of the world with the searing flame of truth . Most inquisitors are self - confident , and a large number of them take leadership roles , such as High Inquisitor Sally Whitemane in the Scarlet Monastery . On the rare occasions that an inquisitor leaves an outpost to go adventuring , he functions much the same as he does within the organization : as a leader and support for his group . Unlike many other members of the Scarlet Crusade , however , inquisitors are cautious in combat and remain as far from melee as possible , using their magic to disorient their enemies or bless their allies with the power of the Holy Light . While inquisitors are potent healers , this role is typically considered secondary to eliminating their targets or enhancing their allies ’ abilities .