Lore on Witch Hunters

[Vikingkingq]

So, in my never-ending search for more information on Witch Hunters, I bought Witch Finder (couldn’t find the first or third novels). This thread contains information I could glean on how Witch Hunters operate, so please feel free to chime in if you have anything to add.

Organization:

• As Paul Burnett described, the Witch Hunter in WAR is not a lone vigilante or hired gun. He or she is a member of the Templar Order of Knights known as the Order of Sigmar (so, technically Witch Hunters are Knights).
• The Order of Sigmar is the militant arm of the Cult of Sigmar, and operates under the authority of the Grand Theogonist, who serves as commander-in-chief.
• The Order operates under a quasi-military hierarchy, although the structure of ranks isn’t exactly clear:
• Ranks (note: all ranks start with Witch Hunter):
• Apprentice – trainee of the Order
• Templar – field agent of the Order.
• Captain – Officer, responsible for maintaining a Chapter House.
• Witch Hunter General (North, South, East, West) – commander in charge of an entire regional district of Chapter Houses. These Generals are the over-all leaders of the Order, each operating independently of eachother and reporting only to the Grand Theogonist.
• Lord Protector – former overall commander of the Order, this position was abolished when the previous holder was arrested on suspicion of heresy.
• Chapter Houses are the basic administrative unit of the Order, comprising a center for finance, administration, information collection, and coordination.
• One Chapter House per city?

Practices:

• Witch Hunters are known for their distinctive uniform of a tall hat with flat brim and crown and a dark cloak/long coat.
• Witch Hunters carry the symbol of the Two-Tailed Comet on their person as the symbol of their Order.
• As members of a Knightly (and Religious) Order, Witch Hunters refer to one another as Brother/Sister.

Operations:

• Burning the Chaos-tainted in pyres is standard operating procedure.
• Witch Hunters have substantial legal/religious authority, although they operate independently of the Elector Counts or the Imperial Bureaucracy.
• Unlike Inquisitors in Warhammer 40K, Witch Hunters seem to operate with much fewer support staff, usually just one or two assistants.
• Some Witch Hunters liaise with Warrior Priests operating out of Temples of Sigmar
• Witch Hunters seem to use their faith/will-power in a defensive manner; some have been known to resist the infection of Vampirism through sheer stubbornness.

Politics:

• similar to the Inquisition in Warhammer 40K, the Order of Sigmar is divided into different factions based on varying political and theological beliefs.
• one faction argues that inflicting the maximum amount of suffering on heretics, accused heretics, and the tainted is necessary in order to ensure that the subject’s soul is purified. (similar to extreme Puritans)
• another faction argues that the use of magic should be a standard part of the Witch Hunter arsenal. This faction is strongest in cosmopolitan Altdorf, and often hires wizards to accompany them. (similar to Radicals)
• a third faction seems to steer a middle ground (unclear, just going by Mathias Thulmann’s attitude).
• In general, most Witch Hunters distrust all wizards, but are required to tolerate licensed wizards, although they make a point of monitoring their numbers, presence, and activities for signs of corruption.

[Spleen]

Cool beans! I had been trying to find more witch hunter info for a while now. Thanks.

[Robjamysan]

very interesting, good read

[Bleak]

Standard issue

http://www.blacklibrary.com/product....1023&type=Book



There is also a series of books about witch hunters

http://www.blacklibrary.com/product....1020&type=Book

Im reading them at the moment and they are quite good and gives a great look in to the world of burning the heretics!

[Ditto]

Too bad though that the retailer that i could buy those books off, sells them at quadruple (4x) price than the blacklibrary.com, that is just retarded. But no can do, with no credit card i got no options

[Vikingkingq]

Originally Posted by Bleak

Standard issue

http://www.blacklibrary.com/product....1023&type=Book



There is also a series of books about witch hunters

http://www.blacklibrary.com/product....1020&type=Book

Im reading them at the moment and they are quite good and gives a great look in to the world of burning the heretics!

Those are some very handy sources. Since you have them, how bout posting some info?

[Bleak]

Ofcause.. ill see if I can write some sort of preview. Ill post it as soon I have it done. Hopefully later today.

[Quitochan]

Witch hunters wear cool hats and their homies agree that they look good in black.

All witch hunters should have their hats welded to their heads. If they want to wear helmets they can wear them on their hats.

I went rooting around and there's a text here from the Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14015

Good for a bit of lore. I found the first quote especially amusing considering where else it shows up.

[Vikingkingq]

Originally Posted by Quitochan

All witch hunters should have their hats welded to their heads. If they want to wear helmets they can wear them on their hats.
.

Or their hats can be helmets: during the English Civil War, the Cavalier cavalry often wore armor-reinforced hats to combine fashion and defense.
http://www.trocadero.com/faganarms/i...1732store.html

[krogg]

Gensis/Birth of The Order:

- 30: Wolfgart Krieger aids Lord Sigmar Heldenhammer in his duel with the Sorceror Nagash. Sigmar rewards Wolfgart by initiating him as the head of a new secret order. The order is known as the "Order of the Silver Hammer". Tey are charged with passing judgement in all matters relating to wizardry and the Dark Arts. They are also entrusted with the safe keeping of several items of power and mystery.

0001: Sigmar is crowned Emperor

2304: Emperor Magus the Pious of Nuln decides that the order could more effeciently ensure the Empire's safe-keeping if the general populace is made aware of it's existence and purpose. The name of the order is changed to The Holy Order of the Templars of Sigmar and work begins on the orders Great Temple placed prominently in the square of the Cathedral of Sigmar in Altdorf.

- The Witch Hunter's Handbook (p. seven-eight)

edited because it wouldn't accept the number form of eight.

[Vikingkingq]

Originally Posted by krogg

Gensis/Birth of The Order:

- 30: Wolfgart Krieger aids Lord Sigmar Heldenhammer in his duel with the Sorceror Nagash. Sigmar rewards Wolfgart by initiating him as the head of a new secret order. The order is known as the "Order of the Silver Hammer". Tey are charged with passing judgement in all matters relating to wizardry and the Dark Arts. They are also entrusted with the safe keeping of several items of power and mystery.

0001: Sigmar is crowned Emperor

2304: Emperor Magus the Pious of Nuln decides that the order could more effeciently ensure the Empire's safe-keeping if the general populace is made aware of it's existence and purpose. The name of the order is changed to The Holy Order of the Templars of Sigmar and work begins on the orders Great Temple placed prominently in the square of the Cathedral of Sigmar in Altdorf.

- The Witch Hunter's Handbook (p. seven-eight)

edited because it wouldn't accept the number form of eight.

Cool. We get a big spanking big Temple as our HQ.

[Lothario]

Just a quick comment for you....the position of Lord Protector was actually abolished. The last Lord Proctector was "retired" amid rumours of heresy. The Grand Theogonist then got rid of the position and reorganised the Templars under the newly instated Witch Hunter Generals, splitting up the Empire into districts so you have Witch Hunter General North, South etc.

[Vikingkingq]

Originally Posted by Lothario

Just a quick comment for you....the position of Lord Protector was actually abolished. The last Lord Proctector was "retired" amid rumours of heresy. The Grand Theogonist then got rid of the position and reorganised the Templars under the newly instated Witch Hunter Generals, splitting up the Empire into districts so you have Witch Hunter General North, South etc.

Ah. So do the four (or more than four if there are NW, N, NE, etc.) Generals make up a council?

[Illya]

I believe there are only four. And I do not think they have a council, rather they have complete control over their own districts. The Grand Theogonist is the ultimate leader, apart from the Emperor, of course.

[Lothario]

Illya has the right of it. Each General is responsible for their area, and run their districts as they wish with no interference with the others. Though obviously their is alot of political rangling and back stabbing between them trying to out do one another and generally show themselves to be the best and their fellow Generals to be sons of a witch sort of stuff.