I have often felt that the Inquisition and the Inheritors are but two sides of the same coin. Both zealous in their faith. Both driven to succeed at any cost. Both committed to the absolute destruction of the other. Can we not have peace in our time?
–Reported words of Archdruid Sven Oakfist on his death bed

The Inheritors of the Old Ways is the name by which the more militant forces of the old Celtic faiths prefer to be called. Formed following the destruction of Robor's main temple as part of a particularly violent campaign of destruction and suppression led by a rumoured member of the inquisition, but clearly supported by the Catholic Church.

It is important to note that not all followers of the Old Ways feel drawn to participate in the movement. Whilst the Christian menace must be resisted, it is just as necessary to continue with the old rituals and maintain the way of life the Inheritors are seeking to protect.

When the church destroyed the last enclave of the old Angles faiths in 905, it turned its sight upon the Celtic Gods and their followers. However, having seen the fate of the Angles, and better able to hide in the wilderness thanks to their nature Gods, the Celtic peoples proved harder to convert or kill than the Angles. Over the past two centuries a constant war has been wages against the followers of the Old Ways, but little real progress was made until 1155 when a particularly brutal push burnt the sacred forest of Robor high in the Cumbrian hills, destroying his main temple and killing many of his worshippers.

However, rather than spelling the defeat of the Celts, it only riled them up. Taking leadership the priests of Totatis took a stand to defend their communities and issued a call to arms for all those wishing to strike back. Following the sacking and burning of half the abbeys in the north, the avenging army was eventually brought to a halt in the spectacular bloodbath at York as the Christian faithful sought to protect the church. Eye witness accounts tell of an epic battle where Agrona, Daughter of Carnage strode the Earth only to be opposed by a figure reputed to be Saint Michael the Archangel himself. Whilst the church was successfully razed, the cost proved too high to both sides, and the conflict petered out for lack of men to fight it - of the 40,000 men who fought in that battle, little more than 3,000 left the field alive.

Since the battle, the inheritors have fought a more underhanded but equally effective campaign to sabotage the Church. It is known by many as the war of staff and cross, reflecting the symbols of the two conflicting religions. It is not unknown to come across a village burnt to the ground by members of the inquistion following accusations of heathen practices, nor is it surprising to find a church desecrated and the priest sacrificed to a heathen God in retaliation. Fields of crops belonging to abbeys are burnt down, whilst christian knights hunt the sacred forests seeking to kill bear and badger.

Whilst the war continues as a stalemate, some look to Ireland and see a problem closely entwined. Being of the same celtic religion, the followers of the Old Gods in both locations work to support each other. Some suggest that should the forces on one side of the irish sea or the other join together they would sweep away all opposition. Of course to do so they would have to surrender their current positions in the other country. However, wise strategists fear upsetting the balance on either side of the sea could have serious repercussions on the other. They are supported by their fellows in Ireland, but such efforts are limited by the large Norman presence in that land. A major fear of many is what should happen if the Irish situation should be resolved and a large force of Celts were to effect a crossing to join with their English cousins.

The leader is chosen by the Old Gods themselves, as indicated by their high priests. Whilst the current leadership is the high priest of Totatis, it has been said she is but a caretaker pending the arrival of the true Chosen One.

Whilst grand strategy and high leadership is undertaken by the Chosen of the Gods, the day to day running of the Inheritors is left to those skilled in such matters. They carefully marshal the resources of movement to deliver the plans handed down from on high, with access to the armouries of weapons, supplies and relics necessary to deliver victory.

Factors are the key people in each town or region who coordinate the actions in their locality. You may start as a Factor if you take the Rank (Inheritors) +2 quirk.

Agents are particularly trusted inheritors who are often asked to handle specific missions. You may start as an Agent if you take the Rank (Inheritors) +1 quirk.

Inheritors are the foot soldiers of the organisation, and tend to act as eyes and ears of the organisation, or taking action as the opportunity presents itself. By defaults members of this faction start with the rank of Inheritor

Given their persecution by the church, many of those involved in running the Inheritors are clouded in mystery. However, the High priests of Totatis and Wōden fear not the Christians, confident in the strength of their faith. Also the fact that they live deep in the hinterlands and are thus hard to find, never mind reach.

• Kyna - High priestess of Totatis. A white haired elderly woman for as long as any can remember, some wonder if she is immortal. Kyna is said to be exceptionally wise.
• Leofric the Giant - High priest of Artio, a renowned warrior twice the height of normal men. It is whispered among his enemies that to maintain his physical stature he must eat a newborn child each solstice.