Inquisition - Ordos of the Inquisition: As the Inquisition possesses neither formal hierarchy nor leadership, each Inquisitor is free to pursue the mission of Humanity's survival in the manner he or she believes most appropriate. Like-minded fellows gather together to investigate areas of mutual interest or concern, as bounded by one of the many Inquisitorial ordos. Each ordo waxes and wanes with the times, for many Inquisitors move freely between them according to where they judge the need to lie. The greater the level of Daemonic activity, the larger the Ordo Malleus becomes; in times of internal heresy, the Ordo Hereticus grows to match the threat.An ordo can lie fallow for standard years, existing only as a historical curio until its field of study becomes relevant once more. Such is the nature of the galaxy, however, that some perils -- specifically those posed by the Daemon, the xenos and the heretic -- are ever-present. Accordingly, the ordos dedicated to combating them -- the Ordo Malleus, the Ordo Xenos and the Ordo Hereticus -- are considered "Ordos Majoris," for their vigil is never-ending. Nevertheless, there are many scores of "Ordos Minoris" as well, lesser branches dedicated to more transient dangers to Humanity.Association with one of the Inquisitorial ordos is not a matter of absolute allegiance, for they are no more structured than is the Inquisition itself. Nor does it preclude an Inquisitor's involvement in matters pertaining to another ordo. There is no formal demarcation, and Inquisitors investigate and act where they wish. Indeed, many Inquisitors would argue that to compartmentalise the foes of Mankind would be a tragic error, for all too often, the lines between disciplines are fine to the point of nonexistence. Just as a plague of mutation might originate from an alien infestation, a blossoming population of psykers might prove to be the vanguard of an imminent Daemonic incursion.Membership of an ordo is a statement of interest, a field of study. If an Inquisitor declares themself a part of the Ordo Malleus, their fellows will know that their sphere of endeavour encompasses matters Daemonic. They need seek no approval to do so, for an Inquisitor has no superiors, save those they choose to acknowledge. There are sometimes elements of hierarchy to be found within an ordo, albeit nebulous and highly informal ones. As an Inquisitor grows more accomplished and learned, they garner esteem among their peers, and by common consent is graced with a title, such as "Grandmaster." These are marks of respect, rather than unconditional authority. Other Inquisitors may defer to a colleague's experience and reputation, but they are by no means required to do so.Even within an ordo, fields of endeavour seldom overlap completely. Each branch, after all, encompasses an almost infinite potential for study and investigation. Even so, Inquisitors sometimes band together into a loose association called a "conclave." A conclave is assembled at the request of a respected Inquisitor, who seeks to pool the skills, knowledge and resources of their peers in order to oppose a threat too great for a single Inquisitor to face; an Ork WAAAGH!, a Daemonic incursion on a massive scale, or a plague of heresy.Most commonly, a conclave will call upon only a single ordo, but it is far from unheard of for a conclave to include several branches of the Inquisition, if the situation requires it. Members of the conclave seldom take a martial lead -- such things are best left to the commander of whichever Imperial military force the conclave has requisitioned. Nevertheless, the conclave invariably sends a representative to oversee any military actions, and thus ensure that the focus of the mission is not lost in the heat of battle. If necessary, this emissary will seize command of the entire mission, but most Inquisitors find it preferable to remain in the shadows whilst the Emperor's armies go about their bloody work.