Administrator
Player's Guide to Dark Ages: Inquisitor
This guide will help you understand how to embody your role as an Inquisitor, navigate the treacherous world of the Dark Ages, and confront the forces of darkness in a setting filled with both political intrigue and supernatural menace.
1. Embrace the Zeal of the Inquisition
Inquisitors are driven by an unwavering devotion to the Church and its mission. Whether you are a seasoned investigator, a newly minted inquisitor, or a fervent priest, your character must be intensely committed to exposing heresy and purging the world of evil. Your faith is your greatest weapon, but it can also be your greatest weakness. The Inquisition is not only an arm of the Church but also a sword of judgment, and you are its wielder.As a player, fully embrace your character's devout belief in the righteousness of the Inquisition's cause. Strive to portray your character's internal conflicts—such as the balance between duty and doubt or the tension between compassion and cruelty—while recognizing the moral complexities that can arise from the unchecked authority of the Inquisition.
2. Understand the Role of an Inquisitor
In Dark Ages: Inquisitor, your character is part of an institution that exercises immense power over individuals and communities. The primary role of an Inquisitor is to investigate accusations of heresy, witchcraft, and the influence of dark powers (such as vampires, werewolves, and mages) that threaten the purity of the faithful.Your duties may include:
- Investigating Heresy: Whether the accusation is based on a well-founded rumor or a political agenda, part of your role is to identify and investigate anyone who challenges Church dogma. Heretics are often people who question the authority of the Pope or the teachings of the Church.
- Rooting Out Sorcery: Magic is seen as a blasphemous art in this era, especially when wielded by those outside the Church. Mages, witches, and other supernatural creatures are a constant threat to the faith. Your character may be tasked with identifying and eliminating these individuals or bringing them to the Church's justice.
- Interrogation and Torture: If you're tasked with investigating individuals, you're likely to engage in harsh interrogation methods to extract confessions. The moral weight of these actions can be heavy, but they are often seen as necessary in the pursuit of the greater good.
- Excommunication and Execution: In the most extreme cases, your character will pass judgment. Heretics or those practicing dark arts may be excommunicated, tortured, and even executed as a final punishment. This is the Inquisitor's duty, but it's also the most morally challenging.
3. The Struggles of Faith and Power
As an Inquisitor, you wield significant authority, and with that power comes temptation. The Church may justify brutal tactics, but your character must continually grapple with the moral and ethical implications of their actions. Is torturing a person for the greater good justified? How far will you go in the pursuit of truth before you lose your own humanity?These internal struggles can make your Inquisitor character fascinating to roleplay. Keep in mind that the world is not divided into absolute good and evil. The Inquisition is an institution rife with corruption and internal politics. A fellow Inquisitor may betray you, a seemingly innocent person may be unjustly accused, and your superiors may push you to act without mercy.
Questions to consider as an Inquisitor:
- Do you truly believe that your actions serve a higher good?
- How much of your faith is unshakeable, and how much of it is motivated by fear or pride?
- What happens when you discover a "truth" that contradicts the official teachings of the Church or conflicts with your beliefs?
4. Tactics, Tools, and Allies
In your pursuit of heretics and dark forces, you will need more than just faith—practical tools and allies are invaluable to your mission.Tools of the Inquisition:
- Interrogation Methods: As part of your duty, you will likely use methods such as psychological pressure, physical torture, and manipulation to extract confessions. Be aware of the potential consequences of these methods on both your target and yourself.
- Relics and Sacred Artifacts: Inquisitors often have access to holy relics, charms, and other tools that aid them in combating supernatural threats. These items may have mystical properties that can harm vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures.
- Knowledge of the Occult: While your primary role is to purge heresy, you will need a working knowledge of the occult, including the methods used by mages, witches, and other supernatural beings. Understanding these dark arts can give you the upper hand in confronting such enemies.
Allies and Rivalries:
- Clergy: Not all members of the Church share your zeal, but some may become valuable allies in your investigations, particularly those who share your faith or have access to knowledge or resources that can help you.
- Secular Authorities: Some political leaders and nobles may support your efforts for personal or religious reasons, but others may challenge the Inquisition's influence. Navigating these political dynamics can add depth and intrigue to your story.
- Other Inquisitors: Your fellow Inquisitors may be valuable allies—or dangerous rivals. In a world of such absolute power, there's little room for weakness, and internal politics within the Inquisition can be just as deadly as any external threat.
5. Facing the Supernatural
The supernatural is real in the Dark Ages: Inquisitor world, and as an Inquisitor, you will encounter vampires, werewolves, mages, and witches—beings who defy the natural order and are seen as the embodiment of evil. Your primary role is to expose and eradicate these beings, but it's important to understand the supernatural threats you will face:- Vampires: Predatory and dangerous, vampires are immortal creatures of darkness, often hiding behind mortal facades. They are a threat to the Church and must be hunted down with determination and ruthlessness. However, their dark allure can tempt and confuse even the most steadfast of Inquisitors.
- Werewolves: Shapeshifters who embody primal forces of nature, werewolves are often seen as uncontrollable forces of chaos and destruction. They are typically hunted down by the Inquisition but are often harder to detect than vampires.
- Mages: Magic itself is seen as an abomination by the Church, and mages can be particularly dangerous enemies. Their ability to bend the laws of nature to their will can be a threat to everything the Inquisition stands for.
- Witches: Witches and sorcerers use dark powers to harm and corrupt. They are typically easy targets for Inquisitors, as they are seen as practitioners of evil magic.
6. Moral and Ethical Dilemmas
Dark Ages: Inquisitor is filled with moral dilemmas. Is it justifiable to burn a person at the stake if it means preventing the spread of heresy? How much collateral damage is acceptable in rooting out the forces of darkness? Is any sin forgivable, or are some acts beyond redemption? These questions will plague your Inquisitor as they move through a world where the line between righteousness and tyranny is often blurred.Final Thoughts
In Dark Ages: Inquisitor, your role as an Inquisitor places you at the intersection of faith, power, and the supernatural. The choices you make will have consequences for both your character and the world around you. The constant tension between devotion to the Church and the moral complexities of your actions will shape your character's journey.Use your knowledge, your tools, and your faith to uncover heresy, confront dark powers, and make difficult choices. But remember, your greatest enemy might not be the witches or vampires you hunt—it might be the darkness inside your own heart.
-