Crusader

A Crusader is recruited for their unflagging devotion to the Emperor. Most are inducted from the Schola Progenium, selected for their unflagging devotion to the Emperor. To be selected is a great honour, though it leads not only to a gruelling life of asceticism and martial perfection, but also inevitably to an unmourned death in battle against the forces of heresy and apostasy. Nonetheless, such a calling guarantees the opportunity to test sword and shield against Mankind's greatest enemies. Equipped with a Power Sword and Storm Shield, the Crusader is a stalwart warrior whose place is in the heat of battle, surrounded by his foes. Some Inquisitors recruit Crusaders from the honour guard of the Cardinals Crimson - that most mysterious of all the Ecclesiarchy's many orders. It is said that nowhere can more devout warriors be found - save perhaps within the ranks of the famed Adeptus Sororitas. It is improbable that a Crusader's fate will differ greatly in an Inquisitor's service.

Inquisitors are not the only ones who recruit the martial prowess of Crusaders. Ecclesiarchy priests often gather a band of bodyguards to assist them in the execution of their duties (and heretics). Known as Battle Conclaves,these groups are necessarily small; anything larger would breach the prohibition of "men under arms" as laid down in the Decree Passive. Even so, the Inquisition covertly monitors Battle Conclaves to safeguard the spirit of the Decree Passive, if not its letter.