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The inquisition is only 2nd by the emperor himself. It would seem that when they want something done they get it done.

I've been wondering tho, with the amount of power they have in the emperium of man hierarchy could the inquisition requisition a space marine chapter, let alone a single squad of space marines?

From what i've read, the inquisition has the power to declare an individual, or sometimes an organisation or planet, as ‘Excommunicate Traitoris’. This declaration excommunicates the accused from the human race, and is an indication to
other Inquisitors and Adepta that the excommunicate party should be hunted down and killed for the good of the Imperium. So technically an inquisitor can, for the good of the imperium, excommunicate a whole chapter of space marines. Obviously that would stir quite some gak but if they have the power to excommunicate pretty much anyone in the imperium, I would believe they would have the power to requisition the adeptus astarte.

Just stuff I was thinking about

Both Inquisitors and Chapter Masters have a lot of authority and are very dangerous people to cross.

Most of the commentary on this subject suggests that both requisitioning marine assets and refusing Inquisitors are things best done very carefully and politely... (unless you're Space Wolves)

They do all the time. Whole chapters are under the thumb of the Inquisition (whether for good or ill). The Exorcists and Relictors for example.

As for excommunication. Look at the Soul Drinkers. It didn't end well for them.

They could, whether or not the Marines care enough to actually let themselves be requisitioned is another thing. Some chapter (like the Red Hunters, if I remember that name right) are actually very close to the Inquisition. Other chapters (such as the Space Wolves) aren't that close to them, and might be a bit more slow to actually let themselves be requisitioned.

 drunken0elf wrote:
The inquisition is only 2nd by the emperor himself. It would seem that when they want something done they get it done.

In theory and principle, Inquisitors can requisition anyone except the Custodes. Only the Custodes are above the remit of the Inquisition.

However, in practical terms, a lot depends on the reality of the situation. Both Space Marine Chapters and Inquisitors vary highly in power, prestige, and temperment, essentially what they can "get away with" and what they may be empowered to do. A relatively new Inquisitor from minor Ordo probably would not get very far with a powerful Chapter Master. However, you get a powerful Lord of the Ordo Hereticus or Ordo Malleus knocking at your door, or Conclave, and in most cases the Chapter Master is going submit (in one form or another) to the Inquisitors "requests" without much of a fuss.

It also can matter what branch of Inquisition you are in some cases. Yes I know another special snowflake Space Wolf example. An Ordo Malleus inquisitor would likely have to jump through more political hoops for the same amount of help a member of the Ordo Xenos asks for.

Not against their will.

They can certainly ask for Space Marine assistance.

In fact, no one can order Space Marines around except their own chapter. They don't fall under any chain of command except their own. They help the Imperium on a voluntary basis.

Well it's true that it really come down to an individuals power and prestige.

Space Marines might be legendary highly trained superhumans, but I wouldn't see any of them argue with Inquisitor Karamazov for say.

But board wise it's nice to have all the imperium of man work together in JOLLY COOPERATION!

The Astartes were commissioned by the Emperor after his creation of them, and thats really it. They are on an endless journey until extinction to perform the tasks he set before them and their only job is to "Free Mankind from Xenos Filth & Destroy the Taint of Chaos wherever it may lurk"

Inquisitors may ask for their general assistance, and in turn they MAY send reinforcements to aid them, but generally unless the inquisitors require the aid of the Chapters for said listed reasons, they are busy doing what they were created to do.

As Im sure you may guess, they cant requisition a platoon for their own personal bodyguard or what have you. The Astartes are simply there to perform their task and the Inquisitors are basically just political backbones for commerce and speak for their Sectors.

The Inquisition can, and does requisition, Space Marines all the time. If they battle Chaos, those Marines will be mind-wiped before being returned to their Chapter.

Of course, that's Ordo Malleus.


Hereticus and Xenos can't do jack squat by comparison.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:
The Inquisition can, and does requisition, Space Marines all the time. If they battle Chaos, those Marines will be mind-wiped before being returned to their Chapter.

Astartes fight Chaos all the time. They don't get mind wiped every time they do.

 GoliothOnline wrote:
Inquisitors may ask for their general assistance, and in turn they MAY send reinforcements to aid them, but generally unless the inquisitors require the aid of the Chapters for said listed reasons, they are busy doing what they were created to do.

Yea, that's how I see it as well. Certain chapters are much more willing to provide aid, while other chapters like the DA will go off pursuing their own objectives and ignore calls for aid (and get away with it).

To my knowledge, Marines getting mindwiped after fighting Chaos is not a thing. It's a standard procedure after learning of the GK though (whereas normal humans are just killed because mindwiping is expensive).

The chart in the OP can be confusing because the Custodes are directly below the Emperor in authority, but that authority does not reach beyond the Imperial Palace. On the grounds of the Palace, they can boss around Inquisitors and even High Lords of Terra.

 DarknessEternal wrote:
Not against their will.

They can certainly ask for Space Marine assistance.

In fact, no one can order Space Marines around except their own chapter. They don't fall under any chain of command except their own. They help the Imperium on a voluntary basis.

Uh... no. The Space Marines have always been subjects of the Imperium.

 Psienesis wrote:

 DarknessEternal wrote:
Not against their will.

They can certainly ask for Space Marine assistance.

In fact, no one can order Space Marines around except their own chapter. They don't fall under any chain of command except their own. They help the Imperium on a voluntary basis.

Uh... no. The Space Marines have always been subjects of the Imperium.

Yeah; AFAIK, they are under the High Lords of Terra (sometimes one SM Chapter Master becomes a Lord of Terra, but it's not a permanent position)

Probably more of a degree of what aid they offer to their cause.

A inquisitor who walks in like he owns the place and makes demands might get a few squads from the tenth company as all the chapter can spare from other 'oaths and obligations'.

One that treats a Space Marine Chapter Master with the proper respect Will undoubtedly get more.

It also probably depends on what the Chapter is being requested for, and which chapter it is. Probably won't get the Space Wolves to purge a colony because a Tau emissary visited, for example.

 Psienesis wrote:

 DarknessEternal wrote:
Not against their will.

They can certainly ask for Space Marine assistance.

In fact, no one can order Space Marines around except their own chapter. They don't fall under any chain of command except their own. They help the Imperium on a voluntary basis.

Uh... no. The Space Marines have always been subjects of the Imperium.

Not really. I mean, kind of.

The Adeptus Astartes actually don't follow anyone's orders,in general, the High Lords of Terra probably being an exception. Their planets owe nothing to the Imperium, they don't even pay the Tithe. An Inquisitor can certainly make a request of a space marine chapter, but there's no sure guarantee they'll listen. They're more like feudal lords who rally to their king's banner when needed out of loyalty, not law. Even if the Inquisition is technically above them, the Inquisition has no ability to enforce their demands short of naked force or excommunication, both of which are too drastic to use against every aloof chapter who is too busy to help you.

In theory, an Inquistor can go up to a Chapter Master and say: "I need three squads" and get them.

In practice, unless that Inquisitor has either proof, reputation or good standing, or is a really, really cunning linguist, the Chapter Master will probably say. "Gee, I'd love to help, mortal, but the truth is all my squads are deployed on... hunting trips. Yes, hunting trips. Maybe try the Silver Skulls?"

Inquisitors have the power to requisition whatever they like. However, not without good cause (if they just up and order 500 land raiders for a simple investigatory mission, eyebrows are gonna be raised), and not without protest when it comes to some Space Marine chapters (especially the Space Wolves), which can often be more trouble than it's worth.

its happened but mainly its the astartes agreeing to the matter the option to refuse, and go on their merry way is always an option on the table for them. if they consider it worth their time then yes they will permit it. but if some random shmuck inquisitor shows up and asks for marine field assets amd bodies out of the blue 9/10 they are refused because the marines see no practical value to aiding them. in addition they are above the trifle dealings of lesser motrals and even cybernetica's like the mechanicus. bending knee to the mechanicus or inquisition is considered pandering to lesser men.

go read death of intergrity, the novamarines and blood drinkers practically prepare to flip tables and walk out on a mechanicum exploration mission because they even look at the seals of the high lords of terra authorizing the requisition of their forces and think long and hard about accepting.

marines dont have the time or resources to be throwing themselves willy nilly at the requests of mechanical things with questionable loyalties and inquisitors too busy keeping the common man in line to fight the greater evils of man.

 drunken0elf wrote:
The inquisition is only 2nd by the emperor himself. It would seem that when they want something done they get it done.

I think you are reading the IOM Org chart a little incorrectly. The inquisition has a direct reporting line to the big E. That does not mean that they can order other people around. Think of it like this, the Inquisition are kind of like internal auditors. In a company internal auditors can go around, poke their nose in to stuff and ask questions. If they find a problem they can do stuff to fix it, including working to remove people for something serious, such as fraud. They probably report directly to the CEO. This does not mean however that the head of audit can walk on to the warehouse and tell a forklift driver they have to come and do the auditors filing. However, if they have good reason to start asking people to do things it would be a bad idea not to help them, even if you don't HAVE to.

A marine chapter would be unlikely to directly say no, but very likely to stall or make excuses. Sure I want to help you random Inquisitor but all our squads are deployed or injured, or training.

From what I've read, the Inquisition can certainly ask for Astartes aid, but chapters are within their rights to say no and no Inquisitor would actually press the matter.

Ask the Dark Angels what happens to overly-curious Inquisitors asking about the Fallen ;P

The Inquisition as a whole is also not 2nd in command next to Big E. Primarchs alone outrank the Ordos, and not forgetting the High Council, Chapter Masters etc. The Imperium is set-up in a bureaucratic web of nightmares, there is no definite "2nd in Command" from what I've read.

Hell, I'd argue the Mechanicus has a bigger influence then the Inquisition since y'know, they keep the Imperial War Machine running. (Praise the Omnissiah!)

 Psienesis wrote:

 DarknessEternal wrote:
Not against their will.

They can certainly ask for Space Marine assistance.

In fact, no one can order Space Marines around except their own chapter. They don't fall under any chain of command except their own. They help the Imperium on a voluntary basis.

Uh... no. The Space Marines have always been subjects of the Imperium.

Did I say they weren't? I said they don't have to follow anyone's orders, and they don't. We've got 28 years of real world literature and background material of Space Marine chapters telling Inquisitors and anyone else they don't like to shove it whenever they feel like it.

An Inquisitor has the authority and can order anyone to enter his service temporarily or permanently

Now in reality lots of people in the Imperium have the clout to dodge or even simply refuse this - but equally they are highly unlikely to just refuse - they will usually have a good reason to do so. Antagonising the Inquisition - even a single member is usually not considered a "good idea".

On the other hand - quite often there will be a good reason to assist the Inquisitor..........

Examples: Assassin Temples, Commanders of Titan legions, Chapter Masters, Canoness's, High ranking members of the Church, Mechanicum, Administratum even the Guard high Command may claim they simply can't assist.

The best one is usually - Sorry Inqusitor Bob, but Inquisitor Sarah said I shouldn't help - perhaps you should check with her? Doing favours for one Inquisitor may mean not doing them for others or even not being asked.....

I think being a cunning linguist is best for getting sisters of battle help

But I think its pretty obvious that goodie two-shoes chapters like ultramarines would yield readily unlike real chapters such as SW or DA

The only power I recall the Inquisition or the Highlords have over the SM chapters is the gene tythe. I don't know if they even have the authority to check whether or not the tythef amount is honest and correct. Given the relationship the Inqusition & Highlords have with some chapters I suspect the Tything interaction is short and awkward.

Most of the time I assume the Inquisitors are nice enough to request politely, or at least formally. The SM commanders know most request are made for good reasons and respond appropriately.

Depends on who, or how they ask.

Demands and threats do not go very far vs favour, skilled speeches, relationship built up over time.

A veteran with good former working relationships will get far more than a new one just swaggering in and demanding help.

According to the Chapter Master entry in the Codex, Chapter Masters answer only to others of his kind and the Emperor.

Make of that what you will.

Codex: Inquisition (3 pages after the contents page) wrote:By ancient tradition, his authority comes directly from the Emperor himself; there is no hierarchy to which he must answer, and he is behold only to his fellows. More than this, a bearer of the Inquisitorial Seal can requisition any servant in the Imperium to assist in his mission, from the lowliest of clerks to entire Space Marine Chapters and Imperial Navy battlefleets.

Note that it's much better if you read "seal" as being the other type of seal.

Of course, for people with power most Imperial laws become little more than guidelines. There's also a world of difference between the legal right to make a demand, and having that demand acted upon properly. Also, if an inquisitor is regarded as far too wasteful by his or her fellow inquisitors, there can be... consequences.

As always, note that GW's fluff is often contradictory - see Ashiraya's post above.

Exalbaru wrote:I think being a cunning linguist is best for getting sisters of battle help

But I think its pretty obvious that goodie two-shoes chapters like ultramarines would yield readily unlike real chapters such as SW or DA

Nah, Sisters prefer the straight up approach.