The Magistrate 

 

The Magistrate is a secretive body of prominent priests, who have taken on the joint roles of Inquisitors and Judges within the Church hierarchy. They are permanently based at the huge and imposing Court of Truth, in which the majority of Yew's criminals and heathens are put to the question, tried, and sentenced. It the task of all members of the Magistrate, from the newly ordained Advocates to the sinister Inquisitors and the highest Adjudicator to maintain the purity of the Church and flock in all aspects. They are enforcers not just of Avatari edict, but of local custom and law. All rules must be followed, all lawful authorities obeyed, and all wrongdoers hunted and brought to justice.

The latter is the task of the Inquisitor, for no law-breaker, heretic, taint or heathen is safe whilst these men are in pursuit; they are cruel, driven and efficient, without sympathy or forgiveness. They use fear, threats, holy powers, rabble-rousing fanaticism, and swift, brutal punishment to quickly eradicate sedition and internal threat. Though the Magistrate's direct influence is centred almost entirely upon Yew, their hand can be seen in nigh every communion of the Avatari faith.

Traditionally wearing black robes and floppy hats, this most scrupulous and holy order are at one with the shadows; possessing a vast network of spies and informers to listen in to even the most innocent conversation and witness every action of consequence. Indeed, one might say that they are two parts secret police, and only one part clergy, for they are first and foremost the eyes and ears of the Church, and are subject to none but Higher Being himself. They are the vigilant keepers of the faith, just as the Templi are its iron fist.

Inquisitors may cast all Clerical spells, as well as any that are fire-based. All others are forbidden, and may not be present in the Inquisitor's Book of Light.