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The Astartes in theory don't answer to the Adeptus Terra or Ecclesiarchy, this is mostly true (though the Astartes still often do follow them de facto in certain areas and certainly don't want to mess with them).

However the Inquisition's full title is the Emperor's Holy Inquisition. It was set up by the Emperor himself and is supposed to be his right hand. That is why the Astartes have so much more respect for it, imo. That and Inquisitors are competent/skilled individuals who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, as opposed to the rich corrupt Ecclesiarchy Cardinal or Administratum bureaucrat.

Kaldor wrote:

Tadashi wrote:You can't touch the Ultramarines! All Ultramarines-descended Chapters would go up in flames, and that means 3/5ths of the Astartes. You'd have the entire Ultramarines Legion marching towards Terra if you do that, and there's no telling how many other Chapters/Legions would side with them, or for that matter Mechanicum, Guard , Naval elements.

Anyone, under the right circumstances, can and will be touched. Ultramarines or not, they can and will be destroyed if necessary. Why would ANY of their successor chapters join their side if they are declared heretics and traitors? Who says their successor chapters would join their side ANYWAY? Maybe a lot of them resent the Ultramarines for their elevated status and glory? Maybe a lot of the would jump at the opportunity to prove that they are superior to the Ultras?

And yes, Purifiers do have blanket authority. It says so in Codex: Grey Knights, courtesy of Matt Ward.

I've got the Grey Knight codex right in front of me. It doesn't say that anywhere.

You're off-base here. You are assuming that Space Marines care about elevated status and brownie points. I don't think a lot of people truly understand Space Marines. They are devoted to the cause of protecting the Imperium. Extremely so. The Emperor's blood runs THROUGH THEIR VEINS. Can the same be said for the Inquisition?

The Ultramarines are untouchable. If an Inquisitor tried to declare them Excommunicate and Heretics you would have a thousand more Inquisitors saying... "Whoa, wait just one damn minute and check yourself before proceeding."

If the Inquisition tried to take the fight to the Ultramarines it would create another Galactic civil war without a doubt. The Ultlramarines and their closest second founding chapters would not sit idly by and say "Ok yes we are heretics come kill us now. Hurp de durp." Or say "Oh look guys the Inquisition and the holy hoity toitys from Terra are killing our brother Ultramarines on a trumped up charge of Excommunication... .... hmm that's cool! Let's just go back to polishing our armor."

Not that this scenario would EVER play out mind you, because the Ultramarines and other major Chapters will never succumb to Chaos or consort with Xenos (minus Calgar allowing the Eldar a mild respite).

I too couldn't figure a way how the Ultramarines could be called into question, given the current situation. Yet, and I believe this is what Kaldor meant, if that ever were the case, then yes, a Chapter's past will only protect it so much. The Inquisition or rather the Imperium as a whole will not sit by idly whilst someone is working on, say, a second Horus Heresy - regardless of who that is. And just like during the Heresy, not all Space Marines will fight on one side just because they're "brethren". Aside from the fact that not all Marine Chapters are best buddies.

As for "the major Chapters", there are a few with rampant disorder in their geneseed, so it should - in theory - only be a matter of time until they either do succumb to Chaos or rather get purged before this happens. Certain offspring successor Chapters in particular didn't help at all to alleviate these suspicions.

The idea that any Primarch Legion is always 110% resistant against the influence of Chaos pretty much fails at the Heresy, anyways, and I fail to see why a loss of quality in geneseed and conditioning are supposed to have eliminated this risk.

"Fortunately", of course, GW is far more willing to sacrifice a semblance of consequence rather than giving up on some of the fan-favorites amongst the Marine Chapters, even if this means that their continued existence may seem a bit "odd" when keeping in mind that there are Imperial organizations dedicated to deal with such situations. So, for the foreseeable future, no other "major Chapter" will fall to Chaos, and even the Space Wolves will be free to give everyone the finger without having to fear anything. If push comes to shove, they are so awesome that they can easily deal with an entire Segmentum worth of Navy, anyways. Makes you wonder why they didn't already conquer the Eye of Terror.

Lynata wrote: Yet, and I believe this is what Kaldor meant, if that ever were the case, then yes, a Chapter's past will only protect it so much. The Inquisition or rather the Imperium as a whole will not sit by idly whilst someone is working on, say, a second Horus Heresy - regardless of who that is. And just like during the Heresy, not all Space Marines will fight on one side just because they're "brethren". Aside from the fact that not all Marine Chapters are best buddies.

Exactly.

I'm pretty sure the High Lords and the Inquisition.

I doubt that a SM Chapter could fully take on the soul responsibility, the chapter master would almost certainly contact the nearest Inquisitor or contact one of the Ordos directly.

The only exception would probably be in the case of Tyrannids and that would only be if the infestation has gotten out of control, so as to avoid them spreading to another planet.

any thoughts?