View source for Cryptek

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[[Image:CryptekColor.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cryptek{{Fn|3}}]]
'''Crypteks''' are [[Necron]] technological specialists whose purpose is to study the highly advanced and ancient technology of their race.

==Overview==
Their main fields of study include dimensional dissonance, singularity manipulation, atomic transmutation, elemental transmogrification and countless other reason-defying technologies. They are masters of the scientific and technological and in many ways a Cryptek's powers mirror those employed by the [[psyker]]s of other races such as the [[Imperium]] and [[Eldar]]. However they differ in that instead of using a [[mutant]] mind to channel [[Warp]] energies, the Cryptek employs arcane science to harness the universe's fundamental forces.{{Fn|1}}

Crypteks operate in pan-galactic conclaves, many of which specialize in a particular field of technology. Though they have no official rank in the political structure of a dynasty, they wield incredible influence and often serve in the courts of [[Necron Overlord]]s and [[Necron Lord]]s as close confidants.{{Fn|2b}} The powers of Crypteks are highly sought after by [[Necron Overlord]]s, who will meet whatever demands are made by the Crypteks in exchange for their services.{{Fn|1}} Crypteks wear '''Essence-Tomes''', which are tiles forged from whatever substance that Cryptek is studying. As the Cryptek advances in his studies and mastery of his field, he adds additional tiles to the chain. Chronomancers have tiles made from time itself, while Voidmancers essence-tomes are constructed from black holes and dimensionalists from the wounds created between dimensions.{{Fn|6}}

Ultimately, the only thing that holds the ambition of a Cryptek in check is another of its kind. Should a retained Cryptek rise too far above his station, a Necron Overlord will attempt to replace him by luring a more tractable Cryptek away from his rival. Even this has
complications, for while no Cryptek will knowingly replace another of the same conclave, a rival from another conclave will happily do so. Once his services are acquired, a Cryptek’s duties stretch far beyond the tomb world. It is common for an Overlord to grant a Cryptek the first pickings of precious resources in exchange for his services on campaign. Such a bargain serves both sides well; a tomb world’s resources are limited, and the Cryptek’s trade requires that he have a ready supply of raw materials.{{Fn|3}}

Crypteks sometimes have bodyguards known as [[Cryptothrall]]s.{{Fn|4}}

==Kinds of Techno-sorcerer==
*'''Harbinger of Despair/Psychomancer''': Masters of influencing the organic mind and psychological warfare. With their [[Abyssal Staff|Abyssal Staves]] they can spread madness among enemy ranks. They are also capable of [[Nightmare Shroud|causing dread]] in their enemies and of [[Veil of Darkness|dematerialising and rematerialising]] their comrades.{{Fn|2a}}
*'''Harbinger of Destruction/Plasmancer''': Masters of raw energy who can shoot devastating blasts and [[Solar Pulse|pulses of light]] that illuminate the entire battlefield from their [[Eldritch Lance]]s in battle. Their [[Gaze of Flame|gaze of flickering witch-fire]] falters the onset of even the bravest attacker.{{Fn|2a}}
*'''Harbinger of Eternity/Chronomancer''': Masters of time and knowledge of the future flows through their every act. They can rarely be trusted as they always have an idea of how any event will unfold. They wield [[Aeonstave]]s with sapphire heads, capable of trapping a enemy in a bubble of slow-time, a [[Chronometron]] capable of changing time, and the ability to [[Timesplinter Cloak|crystallize time]] around themselves in a a way that blocks their enemies' blows.{{Fn|2a}} A subsect of Chronomancy is known as '''Astromancy''', whose disciples, also known as '''Astraturges''' or '''Stellasayers''', are able to use the stars to divine the future.{{Fn|6a}}{{Fn|9}}
*'''Harbinger of Transmogrification/Geomancer''': Also known as '''alchemists'''{{Fn|2a}} or '''metallurgists'''{{Fn|6}}. Practicing an art once known as alchemy, they specialize in the transmutation of matter from one form to another and to animate the inanimate. They use the [[Harp of Dissonance]] that can change [[Adamantium]] to brittle glass with a single booming bass note, the [[Seismic Crucible]] to induce seismic activity in rock, metal and air, and the [[Tremorstave]] causes quakes that knock enemies away.{{Fn|2a}}
*'''Harbinger of the Storm/Ethermancer''': Capable of manipulating the weather against their foes. Their [[Voltaic Staff]] shoots lightning and their [[Ether Crystal]] summons pressure waves and bolts of lightning to buffet their enemies. They are also capable of calling upon emerald [[Lightning Field]]s to protect their allies.{{Fn|2a}}
*'''Observationer''': Astronomical interpretations are their purview and their skulls contain bristling manes of observational orbs and astrolabes.{{Fn|10}}
*'''Technomancer''': These masters possess the power to augment and swiftly repair Necron units and [[Canoptek]] constructs upon the battlefield.{{Fn|7a}}
*'''Voidmancer''': Masters of the void of space and black holes.{{Fn|6}}
*'''Dimensionalist''': Masters of alternate dimensions and dimensional gateways.{{Fn|6}}
*'''Datamancer''':{{Fn|6a}}
[[Image:Cryptek2.jpg|Necron Cryptek|thumb|right|220px]]

==Cryptek Technologies==
*[[Abyssal Staff]]  - '''Psychomancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Aeonstave]] - '''Chronomancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Atavindicator]] - '''Psychomancers'''{{Fn|7}}
*[[Canoptek Cloak]] - '''Technomancers'''{{Fn|7a}}
*[[Canoptek Control Node]] - '''Technomancers'''{{Fn|7a}}
*[[Cortical Subjugator Scarabs]]{{Fn|7}}
*[[Countertemporal Nanomines]] - '''Chronomancers'''{{Fn|7}}
*[[Cryptogeometric Adjuster]]{{Fn|7}}
*[[Cryptothrall]]s{{Fn|7}}
*[[Dimensional Sanctum]]{{Fn|7}}
*[[Eldritch Lance]] - '''Plasmancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Entropic Lance]] - '''Chronomancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Ether Crystal]] - '''Ethermancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Gaze of Flame]] - '''Plasmancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Harp of Dissonance]] - '''Alchemists'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Lightning Field]]{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Nightmare Shroud]] - '''Psychomancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Photonic Transubjector]]{{Fn|7}}
*[[Seismic Crucible]] - '''Geomancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Timesplinter Cloak]] - '''Chronomancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Tremorstave]] - '''Geomancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Veil of Darkness]] - '''Psychomancers'''{{Fn|2a}}
*[[Voltaic Staff]] - '''Ethermancers'''{{Fn|2a}}

==Notable Crypteks==
*[[Szeras]]
*[[Orikan the Diviner]]
*[[Navgran the Eternal]] — Cryptek in the service of the [[Sautekh Dynasty]]. Known as the High Transmuter.{{Fn|2c}}
*[[Drizyan]]
*[[Kamoteph]]{{Fn|8}}
*[[Osiskor]]
*[[Toholk]] — Master-Artificer
*[[Ozkan the Codifier]]
*[[Rahkoz]]
*[[Harri'apt]]
*[[Kamoteph]]
*[[Sannet]] - Chief curator of [[Solemnace]] under [[Trazyn the Infinite]]{{Fn|6}}
*[[Vishani]] - [[Ammunos Dynasty]]{{Fn|6}}
*[[Omizhar Vohk]] - Chronomancer{{Fn|9}}
*[[Am-heht]] - Psychomancer. The Mad Cryptek of [[Carnotite]]

==Images==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="190">
Necron Cryptek.jpg|Necron Cryptek Miniature (5th Edition)
Cryptek8th.jpg|Technomancer{{Fn|7a}}
Plasmamancer.jpg|Plasmancer{{Fn|4}}
Chronomancer.jpg|Chronomancer{{Fn|5}}
Psychomancer.jpg|Psychomancer{{Fn|5}}
</gallery>

==See Also==
*[[Apprentek]]
*[[Technomandrites of Magistrakh]]
*[[Celestial Orrery]]

==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat700019a&prodId=prod1380035a&rootCatGameStyle=| Necron Cryptek]
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Necrons (5th Edition)]]
**{{Endn|2a}}: pg. 84-85
**{{Endn|2b}}: pg. 32
**{{Endn|2c}}: pg. 13
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Necrons (8th Edition)]] pg.39
*{{Endn|4}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/06/13/warhammer-40000-preview-whats-in-the-boxgw-homepage-post-1/ Warhammer Community: Warhammer 40,000 Preview – What’s in the Box? (Posted on 13/06/2020)] (Last accessed on 13 June 2020)
*{{Endn|5}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/09/12/the-codex-show/ Warhammer Community: The Codex Show (posted 9/12/2020)] (last accessed 9/12/2020)
*{{Endn|6}}: [[The Infinite and the Divine (Novel)]] Chapter 4-5
**{{Endn|6a}}: Part 2 Chapter 1
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Codex: Necrons (9th Edition)]] pg.61
**{{Endn|7a}}: pg.90
*{{Endn|8}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/01/04/get-a-first-look-at-this-years-exclusive-store-anniversary-models/ Warhammer Community: Get a first look at this year’s exclusive Store Anniversary models (Posted on 04/01/2021)] (Last accessed on 4 Janurary 2021)
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Sons of the Hydra (Novel)]], Part II, Chapter ζ: ''Snake Oil''
*{{Endn|10}}: [[The Bleeding Stars (Short Story)]]

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