Ordo Xenos — Puritanical Radical-Hunter
Inquisitor Severian Hochs is a hardline Ordo Xenos inquisitor whose hatred of the alien borders on religious mania. To Hochs, the xenos is not merely a threat to Humanity—it is a corruption of the Emperor’s ordained order, and any human who willingly tolerates, studies, bargains with, or sympathizes with alien species has already taken the first step toward damnation.
Hochs commands the Imperial frigate Vigilant Judgment, a vessel that has been deliberately transformed into something resembling the dreaded Black Ships of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica.
The frigate’s original Imperial Navy markings have been removed. Its hull has been painted an oppressive matte black, broken only by enormous white aquilae, purity seals, and stark vertical bands of brass. The prow bears a monumental representation of the Inquisitorial rosette, surrounded by sculpted skulls and gothic scripture. Along the hull, illuminated Gothic lettering declares:
LEX IMPERATOR — PURITAS — VIGILANTIA
At a distance, the vessel is easily mistaken for a Black Ship.
That resemblance is entirely intentional.
The Vigilant Judgment
The Vigilant Judgment remains an Imperial Navy frigate beneath its new appearance, but Hochs has refitted it extensively with the authority of his Inquisitorial seal.
Its interior resembles a floating cathedral crossed with a prison.
The corridors are narrow, dark and heavily ornamented with gothic arches. Massive iron doors divide the ship into sealed sections. Servo-skulls patrol the passageways, recording conversations and observing the crew. Every major compartment contains an Imperial shrine, while thousands of purity seals hang from bulkheads and machinery.
The bridge has been rebuilt as a command chapel.
At its center stands Hochs command throne beneath an enormous golden aquila. Behind it hangs a black velvet banner bearing the Inquisitorial sigil. The officers of the ship stand at attention whenever Hochs enters.
The atmosphere is deliberately oppressive.
The crew are never allowed to forget that they serve aboard an Inquisitorial vessel.
Puritanism
Hochs belongs to the most uncompromising traditions of the Ordo Xenos.
He considers alien technology inherently dangerous. He refuses to use xenos weapons, refuses to negotiate with alien powers except when absolutely unavoidable, and regards even apparently harmless alien artefacts as potential vectors of corruption.
His interrogation chambers contain shelves filled with confiscated xenos artefacts.
None are displayed as trophies.
Each is sealed inside a containment reliquary.
Hochs believes that knowledge itself can become contamination.
His interrogations are therefore conducted with a terrifying simplicity:
Confession. Identification. Purification.
He has little interest in whether an accused individual considers themselves innocent. Intent is secondary to contamination.
A Rogue Trader who has traded with aliens may be useful.
A merchant who has unknowingly transported an alien artefact may be innocent.
A scholar who has studied alien philosophy may have had noble intentions.
But all three have exposed themselves to corruption.
And Hochs believes corruption must be eliminated before it spreads.
The Black Ship
Hochs greatest psychological weapon is the Vigilant Judgment itself.
Imperial citizens who see the vessel approaching often mistake it for a genuine Black Ship.
Hochs encourages the misunderstanding.
The frigate broadcasts no identification during many of its operations. Its arrival is preceded by silence, followed by the sight of a black Imperial vessel descending from the void.
Then the doors open.
Storm-troopers emerge.
Servo-skulls float through the streets.
And finally, the Inquisitor himself appears.
Hochs deliberately cultivates the belief that the Black Ships have come.
He has even adopted several traditions associated with the Astra Telepathica, despite having no official authority over the collection of psykers.
His reasoning is characteristically blunt:
“Fear is not cruelty. Fear is preparation.”
The Inquisitor
Severian Hochs is an imposing man in his late middle age, dressed almost entirely in black.
His carapace armour is hidden beneath a long, heavy coat of black synth-leather and reinforced fabric. His rosette is enormous and deliberately displayed openly. A silver aquila hangs around his neck, while a chainsword and bolt pistol remain permanently at his sides.
His face is thin and severe.
He rarely raises his voice.
That is what makes him frightening.
Hochs does not threaten people.
He informs them of what is going to happen.
His most recognizable habit is to remove his gloves before an execution, fold them carefully, and place them inside his coat.
He considers execution a sacred duty and refuses to perform it casually.
His Retinue
Hochs retinue reflects his philosophy.
Interrogator Helena Dray — His successor-in-training. Considerably more compassionate than her master, she frequently attempts to prevent Hochs from destroying useful Imperial assets.
Lexmechanic-Adjunct 7-Theta — A Mechanicus savant responsible for analysing captured xenos technology. Hochs permits its work only under strict supervision.
Confessor Malach — A fanatical Ecclesiarchy priest who accompanies Hochs on purges and conducts public sermons before executions.
Sergeant Korda — Commander of Hochs storm-troopers. A veteran who regards the Inquisitor’s paranoia as excessive but obeys without question.
“The Penitent” — A former Rogue Trader whose dynasty was destroyed after Hochs discovered evidence of prohibited xenos dealings. Hochs spared him for reasons known only to himself.
Reputation
Among Imperial authorities, Hochs is deeply unpopular.
Planetary governors despise him.
Naval officers resent him.
Rogue Traders fear him.
Other Inquisitors consider him useful but dangerous.
The Ordo Xenos, however, continues to tolerate him because his results are difficult to argue with.
Worlds that Hochs investigates rarely suffer another xenos incursion.
Alien cults disappear.
Forbidden artefacts are destroyed.
Traitors are executed.
And sometimes entire communities vanish from Imperial records.
Hochs insists that this is not brutality.
It is containment.
His personal maxim is engraved above the entrance to his chambers aboard the Vigilant Judgment:
“THE ALIEN DOES NOT NEED TO BE UNDERSTOOD. IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.”
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 