Novitiate

Sisters of Battle Portal

This article is about the Adepta Sororitas title; for the Blood Angels title, see Sanguinary Novitiate.

A Novitiate^[7a]

Novitiates are female Progena of the Schola Progeniums, who have been selected to undergo training to join the Adepta Sororitas.^[1]

Description

On becoming Novitiates, these aspirants are given a Ring of Suffrage to wear and take the Oaths of Adherence.^[2] Their training is overseen by veteran Sororitas,^[1] who ensure the Novitiates master the Adepta's fundamentals and this may last a number of years. Even if a Novitiate has already been chosen to serve within a particular Order during that time, their trainers will demand that the Novitiates know the basic skills of all of the Adepta's Orders. This is so the Novitiates can be a tool in the Emperor's hand, to either to cure, learn, counsel or kill.^[2]

Even while training, though, a Novitiate may join the Adepta Sororitas on missions, where their training will be on the field of battle. There, the Novitiate's skills and devotion will be tested against the Imperium's enemies.^[3] Novitiates are also often selected to join the retinues of Ordo Hereticus Inquisitors, these are likely to be the Novitiates who have proven themselves to be among the most capable and self-sufficient of their class. Those chosen have also been deemed strong enough to endure the rigors and perils of serving with an Inquisitor. The Novitiates who survive such duties, often return to the Sororitas even firmer in their convictions and further honed in their skills. Sororitas that survive long-term duties with the Inquisition, are a very valuable asset for the Adepta in their war against heresy and faithlessness. As a result of this, they are often destined to join the high ranks of their Orders.^[2]

Their zeal and go-getting attitudes often mean Novitiates are deployed as kill Team Units, that are commanded by experienced Sister Superiors. Known as Novitiate Superiors, they are charged with steering the faith of their Novitiates and serve as an inspirational example of how a warrior of the Adepta Sororitas acts at all times.^[6]

Types of Novitiates

• 

  Novitiate Superiors are fully fledged Battle Sisters given the honor of leading a squad of Novitiates into battle.^[7b]
• 

  Novitiate Preceptors are Mace-wielding enforcers who enforce the Ecclesiarchy's standards. They are often the second in command of a Novitiate squad.^[7b]
• 

  A Novitiate Pronatus act as guardians and keepers of sacred relics.^[7b]
• 

  A Novitiate Reliquarius serves as an Icon-bearer.^[7b]
• 

  Novitiate Hospitallers are medics in training who tend to other novitiates.^[7b]
• 

  A Novitiate Dialogus is a Dialogus in training who is an expert in cryptography and ciphers which makes her a valued communications specialist.^[7b]
• 

  Novitiate Exactor - Some zealous Novitiates are given given neural whips to use on their foes. Occasionally they will use them on fellow Novitiates the Exactors feel are lapsing in bravery and faith.^[5]
• 

  Novitiate Penitents are Novitiates whose faith is found wanting. They wield Penitent Eviscerators and are whipped into battle by Novitiate Exactors.^[6]
• 

  Novitiate Purgatus purge enemies by wielding sacred Flamers.^[7b]
• 

  Novitiate Duelists are blade-wielding close combat specialists.^[7b]
• 

  Novitiate Condemnors wield Condemnor Boltguns and specialize in executing enemy Psykers and Sorcerers.^[7b]
• 

  Novitiate Militants are Battle Sisters in training. Equipped with Autoguns, Autopistols, and Swords.^[7b]

See also

• Aspirant
• Neophyte

Sources

• 1: Cain's Last Stand (Novel), Chapter 9
• 2: Dark Heresy: Inquisitor's Handbook, pgs. 42-44
• 3: Warhammer Community: Shadow War: Armageddon Downloads - Adepta Sororitas Kill Teams (Posted on 22/04/2017) (Last accessed on 19 May 2021)
• 5: Warhammer Community: 5 Things You Need to Know About Kill Team: Chalnath (Posted on 20/09/2021) (Last accessed on 20 September 2021)
• 6: Warhammer Community: What The Adepta Sororitas Novitiates Kill Team Lack In Subtlety, They Make Up For In Get-up-and-go (Posted on 26/10/2021) (Last accessed on 26 October 2021)
• 7: Kill Team: Chalnath:
  • 7a: pg. 10
  • 7b: pgs. 42-47