The Witch Hunters

Lore & Background

Their signature tactic involves the use of massive flamethrowers, known as 'fire throwers,' which spray liquid fire across battlefields to incinerate anything magical or heretical. They often accompany Inquisitorial expeditions into the darkest corners of the Empire, purging villages suspected of harboring cultists and executing accused witches with little regard for due process. While they are a vital tool in the war against Chaos, their paranoia has led them to destroy innocent lives and even target loyal Imperial wizards who defend the realm from dark forces.

In Their Own Story

The smell of sulfur and burning thatch choked the air as Brother Valerius raised his halberd, the iron tip gleaming in the flickering light of a torch. Before him stood a trembling woman clutching a wooden charm, her eyes wide with terror. 'Sorcery!' Valerius roared, his voice cracking over the crackle of the flames already consuming the village square. He did not wait for an explanation; he knew the signs. The flame thrower on his back hissed to life, spewing a torrent of liquid fire that engulfed the woman and her home in an instant. 'Purged,' he whispered into the smoke, turning his gaze toward the next shadow where magic might hide.

Reader's Guide

The Witch Hunters function as the specialized enforcement arm of the Imperial Inquisition, tasked with identifying and eliminating practitioners of magic within the Empire. Their primary goal is absolute purification; they seek to eradicate sorcery in all its forms, believing it to be a gateway for Chaos corruption that threatens the very soul of humanity. Members are typically fervent zealots recruited from the lower classes or former soldiers who have embraced the Inquisition's dogma. They operate with high autonomy under the direct command of an Inquisitor, often acting outside the law to achieve their ends. Their equipment is distinct, featuring heavy armor, halberds for close combat, and the infamous flame throwers designed to burn away magical taint. In the broader conflict against Chaos, they serve as a double-edged sword. While effective at dismantling cults and destroying daemonic entities, their inability to distinguish between good and evil magic often causes them to clash with the Empire's own wizards. They represent the extreme end of Imperial paranoia, willing to sacrifice anything—even allies—to ensure no spark of sorcery remains.

Did You Know?

• Witch Hunters are famous for using liquid fire projectors that can incinerate entire buildings in seconds.
• They often operate with a 'guilty until proven innocent' mindset, leading to the execution of many innocent people suspected of minor magical abilities.
• Their existence highlights the deep internal conflict within the Empire between the necessity of magic for defense and the fear that it invites Chaos.
• Inquisitors frequently deploy Witch Hunters as shock troops during raids on suspected cultist strongholds.