Inquisition

The first Inquisition was a group of people who, following the First Blight, rose up to defend Thedas from the dangers of magic and heretics. The Inquisition later joined with the Chantry and became the Seekers of Truth and the Templar Order. The Inquisition is reformed late in the Dragon Age to investigate a new threat to Thedas.

The first Inquisition
In the years before the founding of the Chantry and the start of the Divine Age, Thedas was plunged into chaos. The First Blight had ended, the Imperium had broken apart following Andraste's March, and despite the spread of the Maker's teachings, blood mages and Old Gods cults were widespread. The Inquisition was formed around -100 Ancient with the goal of protecting the people from the tyranny of magic in whatever form it might take; blood mages, abominations, cultists or heretics. A loose association of Andrastian hard-liners, the group combed the land in search of these threats and some say theirs was a reign of terror. Others say they were cast in a negative light by history because their investigations and even application of justice, protecting both mages and common people impartially, crossed too many powerful groups. In these accounts it is suggested that the group was already known as the Seekers of Truth and that the "Inquisition" moniker was perhaps pejorative.

In 1:20 Divine, the newly founded Chantry found common cause with the Inquisition and they signed the Nevarran Accord. As part of the agreement, the Inquisition became the new martial arm of the Chantry, the Templar Order, and its senior members became known as the Seekers of Truth. Another result was the creation of the Circle of Magi, with the templars serving as wardens for the Circles.

The modern Inquisition
"Whatever we were before... We are now the Inquisition."

Some time after the events of Dragon Age: Asunder in 9:40, the Inquisition is reformed. Like its ancient predecessor, the new Inquisition is an independent body, beholden to none. The organization's efforts to track down the agents of chaos threatening Thedas lie at the heart of Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Notable Inquisition members

 * The Inquisitor — leader of the modern Inquisition
 * Cassandra Pentaghast — one of the last members of the Seekers of Truth
 * Leliana — leads the clandestine division of the Inquisition responsible for espionage and assassination
 * Thamond — a captain stationed at Crestwood

Trivia

 * In The Sims 3 University Life there are various mobile phone skins, one called "Age of Dragon" which has an Inquisition theme.