I've posted this a number of times, but with the collapse (and revival) of the Conclave, I figured I ought to put it up again:
Merusian Philosophy
It has always been the case within the Inquisition that differing philosophies and interepretations have held differing levels of influence among individual Inquisitors. The agents of the Inquisition seem to naturally polarise, associating and banding together with others who share their views and beliefs. In this way, differences of opinion can quickly become political factions. The popularity (and therefore influence) of philosophies can vary greatly depending on the times. Whilst certain philosophies are widely accepted and followed, such as the beliefs of Monodominance or of Amalathianism, others are only supported and defended by a small group of Inquisitors who believe whole-heartedly in their cause.
Such is the case with the Merusian philosophy, which originated in .M35 with the work of Inquisitor Korin Merusias. Those Inquisitors who subscribe to Merusian philosophy suffer skepticism, scorn and sometimes worse. But they gladly endure such trials - for they consider theirs to be a vital task. It is well known that the warp is a hellish domain, inhabited by all manner of monsters and daemons. It is said that to gaze upon such creatures is to be driven mad by the certain knowledge of your damnation. It is also known that daemons constantly claw at the boundaries between their world and ours, seeking out the vulnerable minds of unsanctioned psykers and using their untapped power to try to force their way into real-space.
The psykers' vulnerable mind is exposed to a myriad of nightmarish scenes and images, for they commune with intelligences far older - and far greater - than their own. Many of these tortured souls have been documented attempting to rid themselves of their torment - through literature and, occasionally, through art. These heretics are known by the Merusians as 'the illuminated'.
Much is made of heretical texts captured by the Inquisition, but along with books, Inquisitors will often encounter frenzied sketches, blood-spattered drawings, arcane sculptures and idols, even hideous paintings. To an Inquisitor with the adequate protection, any of these can provide a vital insight into the warp.
The Merusians are seen as a radical philsophy within the Inquisition - Tales abound of them kidnapping powerful psykers and inviting daemons to commune with them, in order that they might provide them with clues to combat the powers of the warp and better protect the Imperium.
It is suggested that they even maintain cavernous libraries filled with heretical artwork - paintings daubed with archaic runes, possessed statues, drawings that shift and twist on the page, all carefully studied and catalogued. One fanciful tale maintains that the Merusians dismantled the palace of Salath the Destroyer, rebuilding it brick-by-brick on another world, pain-stakingly reconstructing the enormous mosaics that adorned every surface.
The Merusians also pay close attention to the prophets and visionaries of the Imperial cult - the cathedrals and paraphenalia of the Ecclesiarchy are adorned with many extravagant pieces of artwork. Some in the Merusian philsophy study these carefully for signs the Emperor is interacting with and guiding humanity in an attempt to discover the Emperor's plans for humanity. Other Merusians investigate the interaction between the real-world and the warp in different ways - through contact with the psykers of the Eldar, study of the Tyranid's ability to cast a shadow in the warp, the Tau's apparent lack of psykers - even the innate psychic abilities of the Orkoid horde.
The Merusians have clashed with puritanical Inquisitors on many occasions - it is said that they toy with powers beyond their comprehension; that such arcane lore should be destroyed. The Merusians contend that they perform a vital task in defending the Imperium. Despite calls from influential Inquisitors to investigate and if necessary eradicate the 'Merusian Heresy', the Merusians have remained stubbornly persistent in their actions. Only time will tell if they shelter the Imperium from the coming storm or cast it down in ashes...
