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*'''Orders Famulous''': organize and maintain households of certain Imperial governors<ref name="Execution Hour">[[Execution Hour (Novel)]], page 146</ref> and Imperial nobles, serving as advisers and by their very presence reminding them of their higher loyalties. They oppose any disloyalty with the support of faithful followers from the inside of the household itself<ref name="Crossfire">[[Crossfire (Novel)]], page 258</ref>.
 
*'''Orders Famulous''': organize and maintain households of certain Imperial governors<ref name="Execution Hour">[[Execution Hour (Novel)]], page 146</ref> and Imperial nobles, serving as advisers and by their very presence reminding them of their higher loyalties. They oppose any disloyalty with the support of faithful followers from the inside of the household itself<ref name="Crossfire">[[Crossfire (Novel)]], page 258</ref>.
  
Besides these famous '''major Orders''' there is also an unknown number of '''minor Orders''' whose functions are widely unknown. We know of the '''Order of the Eternal Gate'''<ref name="Legacy">[[Legacy (Novel)]], page 203</ref> whose responsibility is the retrieval of relics and artifacts for the Ecclesiarchy. Also known is the '''Order of the White Rose'''<ref name="Duty Calls">[[Duty Calls (Novel)]], page 71</ref> whose main task is unknown. This order split away from the Order of the Sacred Rose in the latter part of M39.
+
Besides these famous '''major Orders''' there is also an unknown number of '''minor Orders''' whose functions are widely unknown. We know of the '''Order of the Eternal Gate'''<ref name="Legacy">[[Legacy (Novel)]], page 203</ref> whose responsibility is the retrieval of relics and artifacts for the Ecclesiarchy. Also known is the '''Order of the White Rose'''<ref name="Duty Calls">[[Duty Calls (Novel)]], page 71</ref> whose main task is unknown. This order split away from the Order of the Sacred Rose in the latter part of [[M39]].
  
 
===Structure===
 
===Structure===

Revision as of 10:40, 19 July 2007

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The Sisterhood of the Sisters of Battle, aka Adepta Sororitas or as Daughters of the Emperor, is the mailed fist of the Ecclesiarchy. The Decree Passive rules that the Ecclesiarchy cannot field any Men under arms. The Sisters, being all women, are exempt from this decree.


Founding

During the turbulent 36th millennium the Daughters of the Emperor were a only a very small religious sect of women located on the planet San Leor who believed that they could better serve and worship the Emperor through inner purity and martial strength. They were deceived and recruited by Goge Vandire, and further trained and equipped to the highest possible standard to serve as his bodyguards. As Vandire began to abuse more and more his extraordinary powers the Daughters were also renamed as Brides of the Emperor[1].

This did not go without suspicion, and the enemies of Vandire rose up against him. A large war was fought and the Brides proved to be a strong bodyguard that protected Vandire's Palace against all assaults. During the Siege of the Ecclesiarchal Palace, the Adeptus Custodes risked their lives in a last ditch effort to sneak through the palance and approach the Brides. They hoped to convince them of Vandire's treachery. Words were not enough, so the Custodes took Alicia Dominica, leader of the Brides, and her chosen bodyguards deep into the Imperial Palace where they stood before the Emperor himself. What happened there remains unknown - Dominica and her companions were sworn to secrecy - but it became clear that the Brides, who reverted to the title of Daughters of the Emperor, had been awakened to the evil that Vandire represented.[2]

Following this revelation they reclaimed their old name Daughters of the Emperor and their leader, Alicia Dominica, executed the insane traitor, ending thereby his destructive Reign of Blood. The High Lords of Terra met and determined that a new leader should be picked for the Ecclesiarchy, one that would serve the Imperium but also be controlled. Sebastian Thor, an early denouncer of Goge Vandire, was the perfect choice. He was forced into the position.[2]

The new Ecclesiarch Sebastian Thor proceeded with the Reformation of the Ecclesiarchy who was also forbidden, by the Decree passive of the High Lords of Terra, to keep any Men under arms. He therefore kept the Daughters, who were technically excluded from this ruling, re-naming them as Adepta Sororitas[1].

When Thor first took over, there were only 4,000 Daughters of the Emperor, but this quickly expanded to over 10,000 after the Adepta Sororitas (Sisters of Battle) was founded. It was his successor, Alexis the XII, who divided the Sisters into two home worlds and four Orders Militant lead by Alicia Dominica and three of her companions who wanted to lead their brethern into battle. The last two major Orders Militant were created two and a half Millenia later in honor of the last of Alicia Dominica's companions. Their Orders were later expanded to hold more than 15,000 Sisters, but their current standing places each Order with no more than 7,000 members.[2]

Orders

Ecclesiarch and Inquisition
The Adepta Sororitas
Convent Sanctorum Convent Prioris
Orders Militant
Order of the Bloody Rose Order of the Sacred Rose
Order of Our Martyred Lady Order of the Ebon Chalace
Order of the Valourous Heart Order of the Argent Shroud
Orders Hospitaller
Order of the Eternal Candle Order of the Cleansing Water
Order of Serenity Order of the Torch
Orders Famulous
Order of the Key Order of the Holy Seal
Order of the Gate Order of the Sacred Coin
Orders Dialogus
Order of the Holy Word Order of the Sacred Oath
Order of the Quill Order of the Lexicon
Orders Minoris - minor orders
Order of the Eternal Gate
Order of the White Rose

In the beginning, there were only four Orders Militant created by Sister Alicia Dominica and her three fellow Crusading Sisters: Sister Silvana, Sister Lucia, and Sister Katherine.[1] They are:

  • Order of Our Martyred Lady (Sister Katherine, Formerly Order of the Fiery Heart)
  • Order of the Valorous Heart (Sister Lucia)
  • Order of the Ebon Chalice (Sister Alicia Dominica)
  • Order of the Argent Shroud (Sister Silvana)

Then mid 38th Millenium, two Orders were added by Ecclesiarch Deacis VI. The Order of the Bloody Rose was created to honor Sister Mina and the Order of the Sacred Rose was created to honor Sister Arabella. Although neither Sister Mina or Sister Arabella lead their fellow Sisters into battle, they were martyred just the same and honored as such.[1]

In the 41st millenium, the Adepta Sororitas is a part of the Ecclesiarchy and is divided into two Convents. The Convent Sanctorum located on Terra, and the Convent Prioris based on Ophelia VII.

Types of Orders

The Sisterhood is further organized among several Orders. The famous Orders Militant follow the ways of war. Other orders do not follow this way per se and rather follow the ways of Study.

  • Orders Hospitaller: aid the poor, and heal the sick and the wounded in many hospitals and clinics of the Sisterhood. Some of their hospitals are part of Imperial crusades.
  • Orders Dialogus: help to translate the innumerable dialects and slangs used throughout the Imperium. At the behest of the Inquisition and certain parties they also study Xeno languages[3] , also translating texts obtained from Xeno artifacts.[4]
  • Orders Famulous: organize and maintain households of certain Imperial governors[5] and Imperial nobles, serving as advisers and by their very presence reminding them of their higher loyalties. They oppose any disloyalty with the support of faithful followers from the inside of the household itself[6].

Besides these famous major Orders there is also an unknown number of minor Orders whose functions are widely unknown. We know of the Order of the Eternal Gate[7] whose responsibility is the retrieval of relics and artifacts for the Ecclesiarchy. Also known is the Order of the White Rose[8] whose main task is unknown. This order split away from the Order of the Sacred Rose in the latter part of M39.

Structure

Each Order follows the same basic heirarchical structure[1]:

  • Order: Led by the head Canoness called the Canoness Superior and runs the Entire Order.
  • Preceptory: An organization of individual convents with up to 1,000 Sisters, equivalent to an Adeptus Astartes Chapter, lead by a Canoness Preceptor.
  • Commandery: Normally smaller convents or detachments of militant Sisters with up to 200 Sisters, led by a Canoness Commander.
  • Mission: The smallest organization of Sisters, consisting of a few units and can be lead by a Canoness or the lesser Palatine.

Members

Ranks

Individual members ranks can vary in requirement and duties, but they follow the same basic heirarchy:

  • Prioress: two of them administrate the two convents.
  • Canoness; who leads the individual order.
  • Veteran Sister Superior: who command a single Veteran Seraphim squad.
  • Sister Superior: who lead a single squad of Seraphim or a squad of Battle Sisters into battle.
  • Veteran Seraphim:
  • Seraphim: only the very best Battle Sisters are able to join this elite. Seraphim receive special training and equipment.
  • Battle Sister: The basic rank of Adepta Sororitas.

Appearance

Along with physical changes, each order has its own specific color scheme and symbols[1]:

  • Order of Our Martyred Lady wears black armor and black cloth with red lining and red weapons.
  • Order of the Valorous Heart wears black armor and black cloth with white lining and black weapons.
  • Order of the Ebon Chalice wears black armor and white cloth with red lining and red weapons.
  • Order of the Argent Shroud wears silver armor and white cloth with red lining and red weapons.
  • Order of the Bloody Rose wears red armor and black cloth with white lining and black weapons.
  • Order of the Sacred Rose wears white armor and black cloth with red lining and red weapons.

Equipment

The Adepta Sororitas make heavy use of Flame Weapons as they see them as a way to cleanse the soul before total death. Though they are not genetically enhanced like Space Marines, they also wear Power Armour and have the same general unit set-up, although they tend to prefer heat and flame based weapons, for the 'purifying' effect of fire. They also gain very strong faith-based powers to help them in their struggle against their foes.

Units

Famous members

The Founders

There are six original heads of the Sisters of Battle and a there is a major Order for each.[2]

  • Alicia Dominica: It was under her command that the Sororitas was formed as a Chamber Militant and later joined with the Witch Hunters. She, along with her loyal Sisters were named Living Saints.
  • Katherine: She was martyred by a cult of heretics, her order was renamed as the Order of Our Martyred Lady due the deep mourning of her fellow Sisters.
  • Silvana: She was the leader of the Order of the Argent Shroud. She was one of the first Sisters to lead crusades in the name of the Emperor. Her death came at the hand of an assassin, but her body mysteriously vanished.
  • Mina: She was murdered by a blood cult, whose agents had attacked her while praying. Her body was found along with the shrine, covered in the blood and the corpses of twenty of her attackers. Her symbol, the red rose, represents her strong character and her final death. Thus, the Order of the Bloody Rose was created to honor her spirit and her martyrdom.
  • Lucia: She lead the Order of the Valorous Heart. She was the youngest of Alicia Dominica's companion. She was martyred after her capture by a cult that tortured her before her death. Without Lucia's knowledge, a group of her fellow sisters were also captured, but not one of them gave into the pain. Their silence, along with Lucia's, who was under the greatest torture, gave the order their name.
  • Arabella: She was Martyred and the Order of the Sacred Rose was made in her honor.

Others

Current Status

Some Orders have been "borrowed" to the Ordo Hereticus of the Inquisition. Their main task to hunt down and destroy heretics and unsanctioned "rogue" psykers. This task is approved by the Ecclesiarchy, who itself often begins purges of heretics, mutants, and psykers. The part of the Ordo Hereticus which physically deals with such problems is known as the Witch Hunters.

Battle for Armageddon

A few of the Orders fought at the Third Armageddon War, but it was the Order of our Martyred Lady who largely represented the Sisters of Battle in the Armageddon sector. It was they who were the sole protectors of the Ecclesiarchy and the faithful of Hive Tempestora during the Third Armageddon War. Their base of operations was the Sanctorum of St. Katherine in Hive Tempestora, which became the centre for Ecclesiarchal activities on Armageddon and thus, refuge of the faithful from invaders [9].

Hive Tempestora was assaulted during the Third Armageddon war by a surprise assault of Orks emerging from the Boiling Sea. The Sisters were the defence for Hive Tempestora, but the surprise and size of the Ork attack, caught the Imperial forces unawares. This allowed the Orks to quickly steal control from the Sisters.

The Sisters were forced further into tunnels of the Hive with each attack by the Orks. When the Orks reached the heart of the Hive, the Imperial command structure began to break down as the hordes rapidly pushed on. Several units were dispatched to defend area which had already been overrun but the few Hive militia they could rally proved to be ineffective against the Orks. They fought a losing battle until they were eventually forced against the great armoured doors of the Sanctorum[9].

Here, the Sisters could not retreat any further and it was their duty to defend their sanctuary with their lives. The Order rallied against the Orks and called for every member of the Ecclesiarchy to fight and die in defence of Armageddon's most holy site. It was a battle of attrition and with the sheer weight of numbers the Orks gradually overwhelmed the Sisters. It was a charge by Warboss Nargrim and his elite Nobz that caused the Sister's line to crumble. The lines of Sisters, broken and scattered, attempted to form up again but were readily cut down by the huge tide of Orks. After just hours since the initial invasion by the Orks, no human was left alive inside Hive Tempestora and corpses stained the sacred ground.

With the massive destruction at Tempestora, reminiscent of the Tyranid's destruction of the Ultramarines at Ultramar, the Order of Our Martyred Lady was devastated and left with less than three companies upon Armageddon. The loss of Tempestora's Sanctorum devastated the morale of the Sisterhood and fought to recover from such a dishonor. Though they lost greatly at the beginning of the campaign, their aid was essential in the final defense of the planet[9].

On the otherside of Armageddon, the Order of the Argent Shroud, with its five companies under the leadership of Canoness Carmina, were used by General Kurov in the Fire Deserts during the war. They later joined with their fellow Sisters retake the Holy Sanctorum and restore their lost honor.

Problems with Canon

The following statement comes from the Codex: Sisters of Battle 2 edition: "A sign of the Sisters strength is the fact that in their entire history only a single sister, Miriael Sabathiel, has fallen to the lure of Chaos. How Miriael fell is unknown, only that she was turned from the Emperor's light to Slaanesh worship, and now serves as one of the prince of chaos' greatest warriors."

However this is clearly contradicted by the Graphic novel Daemonifuge in which a Sister was seduced by a Navigator (who had been corrupted by a daemonic servant of Slaanesh) and several Sisters were completly corrupted by a Keeper of Secrets, a greater Daemon of Slaanesh. It is quite hard to believe that only a single Sister fell to the corruption of Chaos during all these thousands of years, but possible nevertheless.

References and Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Codex: Witch Hunters (3rd Edition)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Codex: Sisters of Battle (2nd Edition)
  3. Codex: Tau (3rd Edition), pages 56 and 57, thoughts on Tau language by Sister Verity, Order Dialogus
  4. Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition), page 5, An Eldar tablet of regarding the C'tan translated by Sister Superior Meritia, Order Dialogus, page 146
  5. Execution Hour (Novel), page 146
  6. Crossfire (Novel), page 258
  7. Legacy (Novel), page 203
  8. Duty Calls (Novel), page 71
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Template:Cite web

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