Board Thread:Custom Lore Development/@comment-26535281-20170513173802

"The Judges determine the law and determine who are guilty, not you Governor."

- Judge Opello Maximus

The Adeptus Vigilistum is a branch of the Rin Stated dedicated to enforcing law, upholding the status quo, and maintaining law and order by all means necessary. The Vigilistum is by far the farthest reaching Adepta in the Empire, under it's banner falls the millions of vigils, police forces, and the feared judges.

The Vigilistum is split into two branches, the 'Lex Internum', and 'Lex Exterium' with each divided into two sub branches the 'Lex Imperia' and 'Lex Locorum'. Under these main branches are a series of Ordos dealing with specific areas of law.

The bulk of the Vigilisum's work is done by Vigils, the basic police of the Empire, each sector is required to raise and maintain their own Vigils. Vigils deal with the 'Local Law' of the sector and planet and also crimes considered not worthy of a Judge's presence (Ex: Petty theft, assault and battery, ect.)

Crimes deemed to threaten the Empire, harm Imperial officials, or are truly despicable are dealt with by individuals known as 'Judges' (Judge is also an actual rank in the Vigilistum) they have been given 'Imperium' by the Emperor and are the judge, jury, and executioner. No one can hide from the Judge's wrath. No citizen no matter how rich or wealthy may break Imperial Law and get away with it.

Judges are some of the most feared individuals in the Empire and follow the law to the word. They are faceless and rather brutal enforcers of Imperial Law. Without Judges the Empire would fall apart within days.

The Vigilistum is not only enforcers or police men, within their ranks fall many individuals like: Arbitrators (Individuals who settle disputes on the behalf of the state), Arbiter (The Supreme Judge who holds power over every field of law and every field of the Empire. They mainly settle disputes between the Adeptas), and Justice Ministers (Hold authority in legal and religious matters)

The Vigilistum is far from being morally good. They use any method that will bring justice to the Scum of the Universe. From tapping communications networks, from using networks of spies and informants, and bribery.

The very heart of the Vigilistum is the Book of Judgement which contains every decree passed by the Emperor and the Senate (Save decrees made null and void) and every single Imperial Law that is still enforceable.

The Vigilistum is headquarters at the 'Palace of Justice' which is the entire planet of Arbitum. They are lead by a Individual known as the Grand Provost Judge who is second only to the Emperor when it comes to the legal universe. 