Dark Heresy is an Inquisition story, and the Inquisition is not one organization. Owlcat’s faction material separates the three Ordos, and the beta adds a personal Conviction axis on top.
The three Ordos
Ordo Malleus — the Daemonhunters
The most secretive and dangerous branch, dedicated to Chaos and the daemonic. Ordo Malleus operates with absolute autonomy and works alongside the Grey Knights when a daemonic threat is severe. Its agents are marked by ritual electoos and a grim, hidden aspect. In game terms, expect daemon-focused cases, puritan hardliners and infiltration plots.
Ordo Hereticus — the Witchhunters
The internal affairs branch: heresy, cults, rogue psykers and corruption inside the Imperium. This is the Ordo most naturally tied to the investigation loop — finding the heretic among the faithful.
Ordo Xenos — the Alienhunters
The branch that deals with alien threats. It is also the natural home for xenos-tolerant acolytes and for companions like Laarthyr (Aeldari) and Ra’akhti (Kroot), who would be suspects under a puritan.
Conviction: how you use the Inquisition’s authority
Conviction is a three-way stance:
| Conviction | Style | Typical allies |
|---|---|---|
| Puritan | Orthodox, uncompromising | Ordo hardliners, devout NPCs |
| Radical | Ends justify the means | Radicals, darker methods |
| Xenos-tolerant | Pragmatic about aliens | Xenos contacts, alien companions |
It is not a good/evil slider. A puritan can be kind and a radical can be cruel; the axis is about what you are willing to compromise.
Four faction reputations
The beta tracks four reputations, and the full list is not published yet. The safe reading:
- The three Ordos are the backbone.
- Your Conviction and case verdicts move those reputations.
- Reputation gates dialogue, access and some outcomes.
Exact thresholds and the fourth faction are beta data; we will update this page when Owlcat publishes the full system.
How factions interact with companions
Companion reactions are tied to Conviction and origin:
- Aspyce Chorda (Rogue Trader) sits outside the Ordos and is watched with suspicion.
- Laarthyr (Aeldari) and Ra’akhti (Kroot) are xenos; a puritan path creates friction.
- Saro (psyker) and Discordance (Pariah) sit on opposite sides of the psychic question.
- Touma (Officer) has unclear motives, which is its own faction hook.
For the investigation loop that feeds these reputations, see investigation. For the companions themselves, see companions.