Ordo Malleus
From Lexicanum
The Ordo Malleus is one of the three main Ordos of the Inquisition and, literary translated, means Order of the Hammer. The Ordo is also known as the Daemonhunters for it is their task to root out and destroy any physical manifestation of Chaos. The Ordo's military arm are the Grey Knights, a special Space Marine Chapter.
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Foundation
The origins of the Ordo are very ancient, founded by the Emperor before his confinement within the Golden Throne. It was originally created to police the Inquisition itself; this still remains its task, but it is now also charged with the task of being the Imperium's Daemonhunters.2
Role
The Ordo acts directly under the Emperor. Any Malleus Inquisitor can demand anything from an Imperial servant in carrying out his duty, without explanation. The most common demand by Inquisitors is for troops to support their action. Non-Ordo troops under the Ordo's command never survive; they have been exposed to knowledge of Chaos. The Emperor has decided ignorance and secrecy is the best defense against Chaos; those surviving a battle or campaign are afterwards executed, with full honors.2
The chief targets of the Ordo Malleus are Chaos cults and the Sensei.2
Organization
Unlike the rest of the Inquisition, the Malleus has a rigid and formalized hierarchy. It is controlled by a council of 169 Masters, who have the right to a direct audience with the Emperor. Below the Masters are the Proctors and Proctors Minor. The organization of the Ordo is divided into Chambers, each controlled by a Proctor. A single Chamber can vary in size from a few score to hundreds of Inquisitors.2
The Malleus also has a military force, termed its "Chamber Militant", consisting of the Grey Knight Space Marine chapter.
Military forces
Daemonhunter armies incorporate the Malleus Inquisitors themselves, the forces of the Grey Knights and other Ordo Malleus servants. The Daemonhunters make use of specialised anti-daemon weaponry and have some of the best manufactured armour and weaponry in the Imperium. Unlike other Space Marine Chapters, all of the Grey Knights are psykers, a large number equipped with psychic hoods and other equipment to emphasize their psychic gifts.
A common misconception is that the term "Daemonhunters" refers only the Grey Knights, the militant arm of the Malleus. In fact "Daemonhunters" refers to the entire Ordo Malleus and its associated Grey Knight chapter.
In combat, the Inquisition deploys a variety of troops, as an Inquisitor has the authority to command almost any citizen or military force of the Imperium. An Ordo Inquisitor may field Inquisitorial Stormtroopers, inducted Imperial Guardsmen, allied Space Marines, or even agents of the Officio Assassinorum Temples1.
Grey Knights
The Grey Knights are a specially equipped and trained Chapter of the Space Marines who have the knowledge and strength to battle the daemonic. They are the most powerful force an Inquisitor can employ, called upon to destroy daemons when they have manifested themselves in the physical universe.
They are issued with the best equipment possible. Their aegis armour shields them against psychic attacks, and is physically repelling to daemons, and is also covered in a shroud of ancient technology making them harder to spot and shoot at on the battlefield. They are armed stormbolters integrated with their armour, and wield a Nemesis force weapon, which typically takes the the form of a halberd, attuned to the individual Grey Knight's psyche. Heavy weapons squads (Purgation Squads) carry special double barreled flamethrowers (known as incinerators) that are loaded with holy oils that are the anathema for daemon-kind. Psycannons are specialist weapons carrying psychically-charged bolts, which can bypass material and psychic shields. They are especially suited to fighting the daemonic.1
Notable Members
- Jaq Draco - Renegade Inquisitor, raided the Black Library of Chaos and stole the Book of the Rhana Dandra.
- Torquemada Coteaz - Lord Inquisitor
Images
 Ordo Malleus Inquisitor in Terminator armour |
Sources
- 1 Codex: Daemonhunters (3rd Edition)
- 2 Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness, 1st Edition
