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Clad in their iconic [[Vratine Armour]], Sisters of Silence operated a variety of weaponry based around their mission of Psyker-hunting. Their primary close ranged weapon was the [[Executioner Greatblade]] or [[Power Axe]]{{Fn|1a}} while others carried [[Bolter]]s and [[Flamer]]s. They also frequently utilized [[Psyk-out Grenade]]s.{{Fn|8}}
 
Clad in their iconic [[Vratine Armour]], Sisters of Silence operated a variety of weaponry based around their mission of Psyker-hunting. Their primary close ranged weapon was the [[Executioner Greatblade]] or [[Power Axe]]{{Fn|1a}} while others carried [[Bolter]]s and [[Flamer]]s. They also frequently utilized [[Psyk-out Grenade]]s.{{Fn|8}}
  
For transportation and fast attack, the Sisters of Silence were known to ride into battle on [[Anti-grav]] [[Rhino]]s and [[Jetbike]]s.{{Fn|1}}
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For transportation and fast attack, the Sisters of Silence were known to ride into battle on [[Grav-Rhino]]s, [[Kharon Pattern Acquisitor]]s, and [[Jetbike]]s.{{Fn|1}}
  
 
==Notable Sisters of Silence==
 
==Notable Sisters of Silence==

Revision as of 16:04, 9 March 2017

A Vigilator of the Silent Sisterhood

The Sisters of Silence, also known as the Silent Sisterhood, were the anti-psychic militant arm of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica during the Great Crusade, and were internally referred to as the organization's Departmento Investigates. Its ranks consisted entirely of Blanks.

Overview

Operating from the Somnus Citadel on Luna, the Sisters of Silence have a long history (their organisation predates the Horus Heresy). They were an all female order, in much the same way as the Adepta Sororitas; the major difference is that the Sisters were all Blanks. Recruited from Untouchable stock[3a], the Sisters were anathema to psykers. Their very presence disrupted psychic activity and they are presumed to have been immune to most forms of psychic assault. The main purpose of the Sisters of Silence was therefore to seek out and apprehend psykers. As warrior-investigators they could involved in all aspects of the capture and transportation of psychic individuals and could almost always be found among the crew of the Black Ships.[1]

The major base of operations for the Sisterhood was the Somnus Citadel on Luna, which was maintained by the ancient Selenite Cults.[2][10] The Sisterhood, while nominally under the control of the Astra Telepathica, quickly became a personal force associated with the Emperor himself. Along with the Custodes the Sisters of Silence were the only military force of the Imperium permitted to walk freely within the inner Imperial Palace, the sovereign domain of the Emperor.[10]

The Sisters of Silence[1c]

Communication

Each Sister swears an oath of silence known as the Oath of Tranquility upon being nominated for Sisterhood; before this, when they are novices, they are allowed to converse normally. Amongst their other duties novices sometimes act as interpreters between senior Sisters and other agents of the Imperium. Full Sisters converse in their own sign-language, but there is at least one example of them being conversant in other forms of sign-communication, such as Astartes battle-signage.[2]

Sign-Language

  • ThoughtMark - A symbolic sign-language that uses small gestures and conveys complex ideas and subtlety.[3b]
  • BattleMark - A symbolic sign-language used in combat. Less flexible than ThoughtMark, it is also less ambiguous and it's larger gestures can be seen from farther away.[3b] This makes it a better choice for a command language on the field of battle.
  • Orsköde - A machine readable version of ThoughtMark.[3c]

Organization

The Sisterhood was overseen by three general officers: the Sister Commander, the Mistress of the Black Fleet, and the Nemesis Praxia. Below these were two distinct groups. The first was the Chamber of Oblivion which operated battlefield units led by Oblivion Knights and Knights-centura. The second was the Chamber of Judgement which fielded the dreaded silent judges of the Excruciatus.[10]

The organization of the Sisters involved the splitting of its members into numerous cadres such as the Storm Blades each of which contained a different armour schemes. The largest primary operating unit of the Sisterhood was a Vigil, which contained approximately 1,000 sisters. The exact size of the Sisterhood at the end of Great Crusade is not known, though it numbered in the tens of thousands.[10]

Ranks

Janetia Krole with Raptor Squad[1a]
  • Acolyte - Uninitiated trainees that came in three ranks[10]
  • Novice-Sister - An aspirant, that has not taken the Vow of Tranquility.[3]
  • Null Maiden - A sister that has taken the Vow of Tranquility. They operated in three types of squads known as Seeker, Prosecutor, and Vigilator[10]
  • Sister Superior - Squad Leader.[8]
  • Pursuer - Cyber-Mastiff and beast handlers[10]
  • Aquilai Astra - pilots and ship crews[10]
  • Oblivion Knight - high ranking Sisters who lead the Witchseekers on their missions.[2] These are blanks that have developed their null-abilities to the point of making any use of psychic powers in their presence hazardous to the user. These warriors are not tasked with overseeing the Black Ships, but rather seek out and destroy powerful Psykers.[10]
  • Knight-Centura - The most experienced and veteran Oblivion Knights who serve as battlefield commanders for the Silent Sisterhood.[10a]
  • Knight Abyssal - Higher rank. commands multiple squads of sisters.[7]
  • Excruciatus - The hunters, investigators, and secret police of the Silent Sisterhood. They deal primarily with those who seek to shelter and harbor Psykers. The lower rank of the Excruciatus are known as Questora while the most senior squad commanders are dubbed Silent Judge.[10a] Excruciatus wear red coats and ruby implants on their eyes and are said to require personally burning 100 witches before attaining this position.[2]
  • Witchseeker Pursuivant - High ranking sister (above that of Oblivion Knight).[3e]
  • Nemesis Praxia - One of the three most senior ranks, overseeing the Sisterhoods acquired lore and training new recruits.[10]
  • Mistress of the Black Ships - One of the three most senior ranks.[10]
  • Sister-Commander - One of the three most senior ranks. The general commander of the Sisters of Silence.[3e][10]

Cadres

  • Storm Dagger[1]
  • White Talon[3]
  • Brazen Sabre[5]

History

The Sisters of Silence's origins are shrouded in mystery. However it is said that they first appeared during the early Great Crusade when the Primaris Psykers of the Astra Telepathica proved unable to properly control captured Psykers. A better solution was needed, and from this conundrum was born the Silent Sisterhood. An incident known as the Cataclysm of Pentacanaes may be tied to their formation. Others say that the origins of the Silent Sisterhood go back further to a lost agency of the Dark Age of Technology.[10]

During the years of the Great Crusade, a cadre of Sisters were dispatched by the Emperor to aid the Death Guard in an attack on a Jorgall cylinder ship. Once there, they managed to wound a Jorgall mutant Psyker and capture it for transport to Terra.[2]

The Sisters of Silence participated in some of the major actions of the Horus Heresy, including the defense of the Imperial Palace. They were perhaps most successful during the assault on Prospero, where a force of Sisters were deployed to provide specialised support for the attacking Space Wolves Legion. Due to their Untouchable nature, the Sisters were proof against the psychic attacks of the defending Thousand Sons Legion and provided a stable bulwark for the assault to be anchored upon. The Sisters of Silence were also vital in preventing Terra from being overrun by Daemons during the War Within the Webway.[1]

The Sisters of Silence in the 41st Millennium

The eventual fate of the Sisters of Silence is unknown. By M32, only a single force of fifty Sisters on the world of Nadiries were discovered, and these stated that the Imperium had discarded them out of mistrust following the Heresy. Despite being fiercely loyal to the Emperor and Primarchs, this last bastion of the Sisterhood expressed disdain for the modern Imperium, stating they would rather see it burn than be of aid. Nonetheless, Lord Commander of the Imperium Koorland was able to convince them to help in against the Orks during the War of the Beast.[7]

Equipment

Clad in their iconic Vratine Armour, Sisters of Silence operated a variety of weaponry based around their mission of Psyker-hunting. Their primary close ranged weapon was the Executioner Greatblade or Power Axe[1a] while others carried Bolters and Flamers. They also frequently utilized Psyk-out Grenades.[8]

For transportation and fast attack, the Sisters of Silence were known to ride into battle on Grav-Rhinos, Kharon Pattern Acquisitors, and Jetbikes.[1]

Notable Sisters of Silence

See Also

Images

Leman Russ flanked by two Sisters of Silence during the Burning of Prospero.[6]
Iron Lynx Prosecutor Squad[1a]
Raven's Claw Assault Squad[1a]
Melaena Verdath with Extraction Squad[1b]

Miniatures

A Squad of Sisters of Silence

Sources