THE FIRST INQUISITION

Extremist religions spring up whenever an empire collapses, and the anticipated destruction of Flatheadia was not an exception. Early spring 881 GUE, the first violent stirrings of the First Inquisition swept through the streets of Foozle, and quickly through the forests to nearby Flatheadia. The followers of this crackpot religious sect believed that the impending doom of the Curse of Megaboz was caused by widespread sinning, and the only way to forestall the curse was to appease the gods. The original goals of the movement, rather than beginning with an indiscriminate massacre of the general populace, called for the sacrifice of only those people in power, particularly members of the Flathead family. Correspondingly, after the sack and looting of several governmental buildings, the growing ranks of the extremist cult group laid siege to the Flathead Castle itself, seizing both the key forest roads and underground caverns leading away from the capital.

Surprised by the stiff resistance encountered from the local garrison within the castle, the attackers were forced to settle down for the long haul. As it turned out, the makeshift and unprofessional job by the Inquisition of cutting off all communications with the surrounding countryside did nothing to prevent news of the crisis from reaching Idwit in his distant underground retreat. Shaken from his sickness and lethargy by the news of the imposing threat to his son, Wurb's life, Idwit Oogle Flathead was moved to one final, decisive act.

Against the better judgment of his advisors, who urged his to wait and let the crisis defuse itself, the aged Flathead monarch mustered the few troops available to him from the garrisons of the Grey Mountains Province and began the long march to the south.

A few weeks later, a serious split in the Inquisition leadership, marking the beginning of persecution of the general population, had significantly weakened the makeshift forces besieging Flatheadia. This second branch, believed that the sacrifice of those in royalty were not enough, that the gods could only be placated if every person in the entire kingdom was executed. (For obvious reasons, the Inquisition never enjoyed a widespread popularity.)

The arrival of the relieving army from the north brought the whole affair to a sudden and painful halt, the remaining Inquisition extremists around the castle crushed in a matter of hours. Unfortunately, the events of the last few weeks seem to have been too much for Idwit's mental well-being. Unwilling to wait in relative safety while his forces secured victory, he somewhat recklessly mounted his steed and charged ahead to lead his army to battle. To this day, it is not known whether the dozen arrows found lodged in his back came from the Quendoran archers he was trying to lead, or from the archers of the Inquisition that he was soon trying to flee. In any case, the eleventh king of the Flathead dynasty was dead, and only his sixteen year old son remained.

The remnants of the Inquisition seized total control over Port Foozle and several other sites around the world. Centralized at Foozle, this lunatic religious fringe begun a systematic decimation of the local population in hopes that the Curse could be averted if there was no one alive to notice it, which understandably led to the city’s decline in popularity. Oddly enough, the vicious executioners in Foozle did allow the victims one final wish. If the wish could not be granted, the person was beheaded. If the wish could be granted, it was, and the person was subsequently hanged.


THE EXECUTION LINE OF THE INQUISITION
The execution site in Port Foozle, marked by its welcoming, "Sinners: Enter here for purification!" sign, was a stone building. It was usually staffed by a hooded executioner, dripping with sweat and blood, who stood between a gallows and a block. People queued up before of the executioner. A further sign within read:

"Sinners, take note!
1. We cannot execute everyone at once! Please take a number!
2. Everyone is permitted a final request.
3. Tell the executioner your request when your number is called.
4. If we cannot grant your final wish, we shall be quick and merciful. We will
behead you.
5. If we CAN grant your final wish, we will hang you. Please note that this is
slow and excruciatingly painful."

There are only two recorded people that were able to thwart the executioner. One was Megaboz (in the guise of the court jester, who turned into a whisp of smoke and vanished. The other was the unknown peasant who would become the First Dungeon Master. This wise man was able to confuse the executioner by requesting that he be beheaded. But if he was beheaded, then his last wish was granted and he had to be hung. But if he was hung, then his wish would have been granted and he was to be beheaded. The executioner had the guards toss him out.