Editing WS:Orders (section)

==The Hand of Odin==

'''Also known as''': The Inquisition, Magehunters, Witchhunters, Odin's Crows, The Noose

'''Symbol''': A hand with an eye

A cross-order group. Composed of mostly clerical, but occasionally also secular individuals from all walks of life. Primarily this group is composed of followers of Odin. Those in the Hand of Odin fall outside of the usual rank structure and diocese rules for the clergy. The Inquisition is one of the few orders that is more united in policy and ideals across the Western Shores and frequently have better organisation than the nations in which they live. From Brondheim to Irolo, The Noose stretches.

However, this is not to say that every nation's government fully supports The Inquisition in everything it does. Very few rulers will let the order go about their business with no questions asked. Honour must be upheld and the proper defferences should be made. No ruler, however, would ever blatantly defy The Inquisition. There is nothing more appealing to them, than An Example - especially an example in a position of power.

There are two main branches to The Hand of Odin (Mage Finders and Monster Hunters), and a minor branch responsible for licensing of Alchemists and hedge mages (The Order). Each has a minor variation added to the symbol for the Order.

* '''Mage Finders''' include those specialising locating disciples of Loki, Helia (also known as Hecate) - Witch Finders ('''Symbol''': A snake with a crow pecking out its eye) , and those specialising locating Mages, Necromancers, Sorcerers, Elves and other humanoid shaped spell users - Mage Hunters ('''Symbol''': two crows sharing one eye).
* '''Monster Hunters''' are occasionally called on by Mage Finders for particularly recalcitrant heretics, or if creatures are discovered in the course of their investigations. This branch specialises in anti-magic and physical prowess. Their titles include Paladin, and Church Knight. ('''Symbol''': A shield)
* '''The Order''' polices secular magic. Minor magic users that are in common demand (and would cause an outcry if they were ever stopped) such as Alchemists, and hedge mages - those with minor skills that are useful to their professions. The Order has been known to hunt down and impound powerful magical artifacts, as well. ('''Symbol''': A hand)

The Hand of Odin is feared only by those that have come in contact with it. Many of the population praise their efforts in keeping peace - the people remember the dark times when powerful sorcerers walked the land causing chaos with large armies of undead.